Policy Specialist

About the role

Prompt, efficient service for all staff association administrative tasks, which can include: organizing and facilitating Executive Committee and committee meetings, keeping the association’s website current, administering the association’s awards programs and providing administrative support for in-person and online meetings.

Maintaining all governing, administrative and historical documents of the association.

Supporting the association’s officers and governing board by providing guidance, administering the board’s nominations and elections process and supporting the annual business meeting.

Facilitating member communication and engagement on behalf of the association. This may include outreach to new and prospective members, communicating via email, listserv or social media, and assisting the association in the development and production of publications.

Ensuring the staff association’s membership list is up to date in NCSL’s constituent management software.

Managing the staff association’s finances, support the association’s fundraising efforts.

Developing and monitoring the annual professional development seminar budget and managing funder relations.

Collaborating with association leadership and committees to identify topics and faculty to produce meetings, webinars and online conferences that address professional development and networking needs.

Drafting background materials to support program faculty and handling some meeting logistics.

Conducting special research and outreach projects on behalf of the staff association.

Collecting, monitoring and analyzing data on specific legislative staff roles, professional responsibilities and topics of interest to the association.

Developing comparative 50-state legislative data sets and subject matter expertise in relevant areas.

Aiding legislative staff with their research and information needs, and interpreting legislative trends and implications.

Translating complex information into accessible formats such as presentations, publications, workshops, webpages, podcasts, webinars, and newsletters.

Planning technical assistance programs, small meetings, and educational sessions at larger events, contributing to speaker identification, agenda development, and on-site support.

Creating engaging presentations and preparing concise, accurate, and nonpartisan written materials for various audiences.

Participating in peer review editing and assisting with committee or task force coordination.

Supporting the development of new projects, including concept papers, proposals, and grant applications.

Completing high-quality, timely project deliverables and traveling domestically as needed.

Qualifications for Success

• Bachelor’s degree plus four years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field.
• Communications background, preferably in state legislatures or state government.
• Experience leading membership outreach efforts.
• Experience facilitating information sessions (either in-person or online).
• Proficient writing and presentation skills and the ability to clearly and credibly communicate information in a neutral, nonpartisan way to a variety of audiences.
• Strong ability to relate to and provide excellent customer service internally and externally.
• Aptitude at working both collaboratively with others and independently.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, national experts, funders and others, under the guidance or mentorship of supervisor(s).
• Proficient knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of power between the branches of government.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Strong research and analysis skills, including accessing and assessing a variety of resources and research; synthesizing data and legislation; and analyzing and summarizing policy options and legislative activities.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines under the guidance of supervisor(s). Ability to work under deadline pressure and adapt to changes in workload.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Ability to travel by air up to 5 times per year, with most trips being 2-5 nights, as well as work extended hours, usually associated with events/travel.