Policy Associate

Summary

Description

Job Overview

About The Role

NCSL’s Legislative Staff Services Program champions and supports legislative staff throughout the nation by providing information, advocacy and service. This program provides strategic, programmatic and administrative support to eight of NCSL’s professional staff associations and develops in-person and online professional development and information-sharing programs for the more than 30,000 full and part-time staff employed by America’s state legislatures. Program members support NCSL’s professional staff associations, conduct research about legislative staff professions and their roles in the legislature and support NCSL’s outreach to legislative staff. The program has a culture of teamwork and is committed to supporting legislative staff and the institutions in which they serve.

The ideal candidate will have experience in working with legislators and legislative staff, conducting research, writing, planning meetings and educational sessions and providing services to support state legislatures. In this position, work may be performed independently or as a member of a team. This is a nonpartisan and non-advocacy position. 

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

Liaisons to NCSL’s professional staff associations provide strategic, programmatic and administrative support to the groups. They are expected to provide a high level of customer service to meet the needs of the association and expertly manage all stakeholders.  

• Provide 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. 
• Responsible for maintaining all governing, administrative and historical documents of the association.  
• Support the association’s officers and governing board by providing guidance, administering the board’s nominations and elections process and supporting the annual business meeting.  
• Facilitate 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. 
• Ensures the staff association’s membership list is up to date in NCSL’s constituent management software. 
• Manage the staff association’s finances, support the association’s fundraising efforts and develop and monitor the annual professional development seminar budget.  
• In conjunction with association leadership and committees, identify topics and faculty to produce meetings, webinars and online conferences that address professional development and networking needs. 
• Draft background materials to support program faculty and handle some meeting logistics.  
• Conduct special research and outreach projects on behalf of the staff association.  
• Collect, monitor and analyze data on specific legislative staff roles, professional responsibilities and topics of interest to the association. 
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, plus two years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field. 
• Subject-specific knowledge is preferred, but not necessary. 
• Ability to communicate information, in writing and verbally, in a clear and credible way to a variety of audiences. 
• Demonstrated abilitytoworkcollaborativelywith othersand to work independently. 
•  Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required. 
• Demonstrated competence in research skills and tasks requiring attention to detail, including skill with internet searches; accessing and analyzing government documents, academic reports, white papers, and other resources; and analyzing and synthesizing research and legislation.  
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to work under deadline pressure and adapt to changes in workload. 
• Knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of power between the branches of government. 
• Ability to travel by air up to 6 times per year, with most trips being 1-3 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel.

Work Environment

This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Benefits

NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.  We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

About the Organization

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff.

Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.

How to Apply

If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, January 7, 2025 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page.

We are looking forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.