Policy Specialist

JOB TITLE: Policy Specialist

PROGRAM: Center for Results-Driven Governing

LOCATION: Denver, CO -Hybrid

SALARY: $73,232 annually

STATUS: Full-time

ABOUT NCSL:

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 consecutive 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.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Policy Specialist role requires demonstrated proficiency inlegislative research, strong analytic skills, excellent writing and presentation skills,the ability to build professional relationships, and a commitment to nonpartisanship.

This position will join NCSL's Center for Results-Driven Governing (CRDG) working with ateam whose goal is to meet the information needs of state legislators and legislative staff across the nation.The Center seeks a self-motivated professional with the skills necessary to develop expertise in evidence-informed policymaking issues byanalyzing legislation, tracking legislative trends and monitoring current academic and agency research. You will translate detailed and complex information for a variety of audiences by preparing concise, accurate, and nonpartisan written products and developing substantive, engaging, and interactive presentations.This position will respond to research requests, provide resources to support state legislatures, plan and conduct meetings and may assist with funder relations. You will also build and maintain effective relationships with legislators, legislative staff and other officials and stakeholders outside of NCSL. ThePolicy Specialistreports to the director of the Center.

The collaborative, four-person CRDG team tracks state legislative interests and actions, offers in-person and virtual learning and networking opportunities, conducts research, and develops publications on issues related to evidence-informed policymaking and science policy. The team also supports peer learning networks ofstate legislators, legislative staff and other stakeholdersworking to integrate research and data into policymaking and budgeting processes in their states.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Develops subject matter expertise on issues related to state evidence-informed policymaking strategies and assists legislators and legislative staff with their research and information needs.
• Collects and analyzes legislative and executive branch actions; interprets and identifies legislative implications and trends. Develops comparative 50-state scans of legislation, polices or action. Researches and tracks state examples of evidence-informed policymaking strategies.
• Conducts research on federal, state, and local actions that impact the work of legislatures, including relevant case law, judicial interpretations and executive, administrative and intergovernmental actions.
• Monitors academic and agency evidence-informed policymaking resources and research that may inform or impact the work of legislatures.
• Translates detailed and complex information in the most effective format using a variety of methods, e.g., verbal presentations, publications, technical assistance workshops, webpages, podcasts, webinars, meetings, memos, newsletters, articles and others.
• Plans educational sessions and assists with overall planning for larger meetings with supervisor oversight. May plan technical assistance projects and small-sized meetings. Contributes to other session and meeting planning tasks, such as speaker identification, agenda development and on-site support. Creates substantive, engaging, and interactive presentations for legislators, legislative staff and others on evidence-informed policymaking issues with the ability to respond to questions.
• Prepares concise, accurate and nonpartisan written products for a variety of purposes and audiences including communications with members (email, memos), reports, webpages, articles and others. Participates in peer review editing of colleagues' work as needed.
• May assist with the coordination, management, and facilitation of an advisory committee, working group or peer learning network. Maintains effective relationships with key legislators, legislative staff and other stakeholders involved.
• May assist with funder relations and completes high-quality, timely assigned project deliverables, under the direction of the Center's director. May assist with the development of new projects in assigned subject areas, including assisting with concept papers, proposals, and grant applications.
• Travels domestically for meetings, technical assistance, and other project activities as needed.
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but may serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the program or as a team coordinator on a short-term project.

THE 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.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus four years of work experience with state legislatures, or in government, public policy or other relevant fields.
• Knowledge relevant to evidence-informed policymaking strategies or science policy (e.g., evidence-based budgeting, program evaluation, data governance and data sharing, science communication, performance management).
• Excellent writing and presentation skills and the ability to clearly and credibly communicate information to a variety of audiences.
• Aptitude for working both collaboratively 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).
• 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 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.
• Proficient 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.

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:

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.

HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:

If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get - submit your resume and cover letter by11:59 PM MT, August 15, 2025 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page:https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/ncsl-careers.aspx. 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.