Legislative Advisor – Denver Human Services
About The Position
At Denver Human Services (DHS), we envision a healthy community where people are connected, supported, safe, and well. One in three people in Denver turn to DHS for support at all stages of life. Our employees help children, older adults, families, and individuals navigate social and economic pressures by connecting them to services and experts who support their overall well-being. Denver Human Services is seeking a Legislative Advisor to establish and maintain relationships with elected officials, government officials, and community groups regarding human services issues and policies. The Legislative Advisor will report to the Chief Operating Officer, and work directly with agency senior leadership. This position will engage directly on state and local human services policy and legislation, as well as monitor and advise on federal policy and legislation as needed. This position will interact and communicate with legislative bodies to promote the public policy goals directly related to human services laws under which the organization operates; solicit or prepare and propose legislation; identify affected interests; work for or against prospective legislation; and track and research newly introduced laws and potential impact.
Requirements
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local legislative process, with emphasis on state legislative process
- Excellent presentation and verbal and written communications skills
- Ability to handle sensitive topics and conversations with diplomacy and respect
- Ability to track, analyze, and debrief on multiple complex issues concurrently and work independently
- Experience working in and navigating complex political relationships with both elected officials and community or advocacy groups
- Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Political Science, Public Administration, or directly related field
- Extensive knowledge of human services related issues (including issues at the federal, state and local level)
- Understanding of county-administered government systems and programs
- Previous public sector-related experience
- Previous legislative-related experience, preferably at the state or local level
- Understanding of Colorado state and local political landscape
- Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, or a related field
- Three (3) years of professional experience at the type and level of Management Analyst Senior or planning and conducting operational and/or management studies including determining study methods and procedures, analyzing data, developing recommendations and implementation strategies, and preparing reports of findings and recommendations
- One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post high school education.
- Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements
- Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
- Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment
Responsibilities
- Primarily focus on state legislation and state budget items related to human services
- Track, analyze, and provide information to agency senior leadership on human services state legislation
- Attend stakeholder meetings on human services legislation/legislative proposals and provide agency’s feedback or position as appropriate
- Write position recommendations on behalf of the agency and present recommendations to city officials outside of the agency
- Develop and maintain relationships with state and local human services colleagues, state legislators, city council members, city officials, and community partners engaged in human services legislation
- Lobby at the state legislature to support city positions on human services legislation and budget items
- Prepare and advise agency team members for testimony on state legislation as needed
- Monitor and analyze state budget issues and prepare information for agency leadership on budget items
- Monitor federal legislation and rules related to human services, and provide information to agency senior leadership as needed
- Provide support for City Council-related issues, including liaising with Council members and their staff and preparing presentations to Council as needed
- Staff the Denver Board of Human Services, including scheduling Board meetings, creating agendas and meeting materials/presentations
- Act as the Policy Coordinator for internal agency policy development and organization
Benefits
- A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
- 457B Retirement Plan
- 140 hours of PTO earned within first year
- 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year
- Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
