Policy Specialist

About the Role

The Policy Specialist leads agency-wide organizational policy and systems change efforts to embed trauma-informed and healing-centered practices across the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS). This includes policy development, implementation infrastructure, and organizational transformation. The role provides support, training, and technical assistance to promote the well-being of the DSS workforce and develops curricula and tools to ensure DSS and other human services agencies can integrate trauma-informed and healing-centered policy into daily practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead agency-wide policy and systems change to embed trauma-informed and healing-centered practices.
• Develop and implement policies, curricula, and tools for trauma-informed service delivery.
• Provide training and technical assistance to support workforce well-being.
• Interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to trauma-informed, two-generation/whole-family service models.
• Create, articulate, and present complex concepts to senior leadership and organizational stakeholders.
• Deliver presentations tailored to diverse audiences.
• Collect and analyze information for federal and state data reporting.
• Provide technical assistance to state and local staff while maintaining effective working relationships.
• Address racial inequities and disproportionality in policy and practice.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of trauma-informed care and practice.
• Demonstrated experience in human services, child welfare, education, juvenile justice, or related fields.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the impact of trauma on individuals and families and trauma-informed service delivery.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations supporting trauma-informed, whole-family service models.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to motivate, influence, and support teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Knowledge of racial inequities and disproportionality.

Additional Considerations

• Experience conducting applied research or data analysis and translating findings into actionable policy or practice recommendations.
• Experience with state-level legislation, regulations, or policy development, including assessing actions within government or human services contexts.
• Demonstrated experience engaging individuals with lived experience in policy development, including facilitating conversations and translating feedback into actionable policy.
• Experience collaborating with community-based providers to develop and implement policy, with strong relationship-building and problem-solving skills.