Policy Analyst, Natural Resources

Council of State Governments•Sacramento, CA

26d•$65,000 - $74,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Council of State Governments West (CSG West) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization serving the western state legislatures of Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the Pacific islands of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Located in Sacramento, California, CSG West facilitates regional cooperation, exchange of information, and fosters the strengthening of western legislative institutions through a variety of programs and services. This includes policy forums, professional development training, international relations opportunities, research, publications, and institutional linkages with other regional or national entities. CSG West is one of four regions of CSG, which was founded in 1933 and is our nation's only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG's unique regional and national structure invites focused participation from policymakers on a more intimate, regional level while also providing a national platform to exchange ideas and information. This structure also provides western lawmakers an opportunity to engage with state officials of all three branches of state government, access a myriad of national policy research, and stay abreast of national trends and developments in Washington, D.C. impacting state governments. JOB SUMMARY The policy analyst is responsible, through self-direction and in concert with the director of policy & international programs, for providing direction, staff support and research to assigned policy committees, programs, or working groups. Moreover, the position entails conducting outreach, member engagement, research and providing optimal customer service to Western legislatures through other responsibilities as assigned. This position will have a focus on natural resource committees and programs.

Requirements

Individual must possess a high proficiency to read, write and speak.
Analytical, with an ability to think critically, distill and present complex information in a concise manner.
Strong research skills, including internet research and personal interviews.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and able to learn additional software programs and new evaluation/analysis techniques.
Knowledge and understanding of state legislative institutions and the legislative process.
Knowledge of general state government administration and public policy development. Strong writing skills, including policy description and analysis as well as more general writing such as correspondence, memos and articles.
Competence and confidence to work effectively with a myriad of state officials and experts, including high level legislative and executive branch officials.
Able to work independently, as well as in a highly collaborative team environment, to handle a variety of tasks and assignments concurrently while adhering to specific instructions, technical direction and deadlines.
Able to maintain confidentiality and handle politically sensitive work.
Driven to provide excellent customer service.
Excellent work ethic, dependable, resourceful and willing to work non-traditional hours- usually dependent on events and enjoy a fast-paced environment.
Self-motivated, able to take initiative and see complex tasks through to completion.
Strong interpersonal skills include self-awareness, sensitivity and valuing others.
Dedication to public service with an unfailing commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan in performing CSG duties, and be a responsible steward of member and donor funds.
Bachelor's degree in a related field such as political science, public policy, public administration, international affairs/relations or related.
Minimum of three (3) years of relevant and progressive work experience in state government or with a public policy organization, membership association or public university.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of local, state and federal public policymaking and regulatory processes and state-federal relations.
Interested applicants must complete the online application and include resume, cover letter and two writing samples (no more than three pages each).

Nice To Haves

Experience with natural resources issues, such as water, agriculture, and wildfires, a plus.
Experience working as legislative staff a plus.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, and convenes meetings by arranging for speakers, identifying topics, supporting logistical planning, and preparing relevant information.
Monitors and conducts research on local, state and federal policies and programs and synthesizes and analyzes findings appropriate for policymakers.
Assists in the administration of collaborative projects aimed at addressing issues of top concern to state officials in one or more states.
Monitors timelines, budgets and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities and objectives are completed in assigned committee/program areas.
Develop surveys, writes reports and other research products that are highly relevant to policy deliberations and easily understood by the public and policymakers, in collaboration with the policy team, policy director and marketing & advancement manager.
Interacts with regional and national organizations, researchers and policy experts in carrying out the work of assigned committees/programs and collaborative projects.
Conducts outreach and provides excellent customer service, communications to state officials, participates in identifying and supporting policymakers interested in policies and programs.
Conducts relationship management with state officials and policymakers in Western states and U.S. Territories.
Shares expertise with CSG's national and regional offices and affiliate groups as requested and provides direct outreach to members on issues relevant to policy committees assigned.
Collaborates with HQ and regional staff as appropriate to provide CSG West members with meaningful insights and information about policy issues pertinent to committees assigned.
Prepares timely, concise and accurate written responses to requests for information.
Participates in efforts to provide timely information and programming to state policymakers, such as virtual legislative exchanges, state visits or through other forums.
Develops and expands a knowledge base on local, state, federal policy issues, processes and programming, and best practices.
Performs other reasonably assigned responsibilities and duties to support the overall mission of the organization.