Government Affairs Policy Advisor

Government Affairs Policy AdvisorFull Time | Permanent | WMS Band 2Salary Range: $104,269 - $114,588 AnnuallyThis is a telework eligible position. the candidate of choice may work from anywhere in Washington State with a reliable internet connection. Travel throughout the state will be required.Do you have experience with legislative coordination and policy development and analysis? Are you able to influence all aspects of various programs and policies to ensure compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations? If so, the Washington State Department of Corrections may have your next career move! We are searching for an organized and creative problem solver to join the Executive Policy Office as the Government Affairs Policy Advisor! The goal of this role is to direct and manage the legislative process for the Health Services Division within the Department of Corrections!The Government Affairs Policy Advisor will be responsible for accurately and timely developing and submitting legislation packages, bill analyses, testimony, and responses to requests and questions from legislators and legislative staff. The candidate of choice will help ensure DOC has capacity and expertise dedicated to agency-wide policy and practice with an analytical approach to continue effective, positive relationships with the Washington State Legislature.In this role, you will also assist with the management of Health Services Division bill analysis process, reviewing specific budget items, and fiscal notes. You will work with external stakeholders on legislative related issues and will facilitate stakeholder engagement throughout the legislative process for agency request legislation, in addition to responding to legislation put forward by others outside of DOC.This position works closely with the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs to plan, develop, and support major elements of the agency’s legislative activity and projects related to the Washington State Legislature and make recommendations on the department’s position on legislation impacting the agency. If you are interested in the possibility of serving as the critical link within DOC among the divisions, other programs, and region to facilitate the development of legislative priorities and implementation of passed legislation, and have the experience listed below, we encourage you to apply!A completed application packet will include:• A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency• A detailed resume• Three professional referencesWe are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.As a Government Affairs Policy Advisor, some of your duties will include:• Influencing the strategic vision of the agency’s government affairs and legislative engagement including:• Developing and implementing legislative reporting• Making recommendations to the Deputy Director and other executive management on policy and implementation issues• Conducting research and analysis to support informed policy and program development• Providing project management and process improvement expertise• Engaging in stakeholder groups to introduce and pass legislation which could look like:• Providing consistent support to the Deputy Director, the EPO team and possible other executive management• Providing leadership and directing administration/divisional staff on legislative matters to assure timeliness, quality, consistent messaging, and accuracy of legislatively required reports, hearing materials, briefing materials, issue and bill analyses, and other materials in support of DOC's legislative strategy.• Ensuring consistent and effective communication, and providing a wide range of transitional support including:• Supporting internal program staff technical assistance, knowledge of statues (state and federal), and knowledge of WA state legislative practices• Coordinating the development, implementation, and accountability of work plans for the implementation of federal and state legislation and policies• Providing reliable and professionally-sound guidance, consultation, and expert advice at an advanced level for legislative and policy analysisWhat we need (required qualifications):• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, sociology, public administration or related fieldAND• Three (3) years of experience working in corrections program operations, legislation, or related field.OR• Associate’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, sociology, public administration or related field• Five (5) years of experience working in corrections program operations, legislation, or related field.OR• Seven (7) years of experience working in corrections program operations, legislation, or related field.In addition to the above education and experience, the candidate of choice must also have the below experience and knowledge in:• Program operations, development of clear communications, understanding the legislative process, policy development, understanding of the budget process and how applicable state and federal laws impact the agency• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in a corrections, behavioral health or social and health service environment which could include program and policy development and implementation, legislative implementation, supervision and experience in programs and services under the purview of DOC• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high work volume; creative problem solving; proven success at driving outcomes and results.• Ability to work independently managing multiple tasks at one time.• Experience preparing briefing materials for and providing verbal briefing to senior management that are clear and concise.• Ability to manage work teams effectively and demonstrated leadership abilities to achieve the desired goals of the agency.• Strong leadership skills include public speaking, meeting facilitation, negotiation and planning.• Ability to analyze, interpret, evaluate and organize complex data and create reports and policies.• Ability to analyze legislation and determine policy and fiscal impacts on DOC.• Ability to build diverse areas of the organization into productive teams to address common goals and objectives.• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of the organization, within DOC, with other state agencies and external partners.• Must be able to handle delicate and sensitive situations with professionalism.• Must be able to develop and maintain relationships while executing difficult tasks.• Proactive in anticipating and alerting others to problems with projects or processes.• Exceptional knowledge and skills for managing equity, diversity and inclusion and best practice strategies for:• Policy Development• Organizational Development and Interventions• Administration-wide Cultural Change• Communications• Stronger Relationships with Diverse Communities of Color• Proactive in anticipating and alerting others to problems with projects or processes.• High detail orientation and accuracy.• Able to coordinate multiple requests and meet multiple deadlines.• Able to work well in a team environment and as part of a teamWhat will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):• Master’s Degree in social science, public policy, public management or field related to DOC’s programs and services (could include social work, behavioral health, criminal justice, etc.).• Minimum five years of experience working within the legislative process, preferably within the Washington State Legislature and/or executive branch offices or leading a legislative agenda.• Experience in policy formulation and analysis as well as comprehensive knowledge in the substantive policy areas within DOC’s mission.• Knowledge of the Washington state legislative process.• Proficient knowledge of federal legislative process.• Knowledge of legislative budget and policy processes.• Knowledge of current stakeholder groups and dynamics within groups.• Knowledge of Communications programs for creation of communications materials specific to projects within portfolio• Skill in speaking in public forums and chairing meetings.• Strong understanding of state regulatory processes.• Strong commitment to public serviceVision: Working together for safer communities.Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.IMPORTANT NOTES:• This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.• *Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.Telework DetailsThis position may be allocated for telework. Work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time. Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite. Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.What We Offer:As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month• 12 paid holidays a year• Generous retirement plan• Flex Spending Accounts• Dependent Care Assistance• Deferred Compensation and so much more!For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.