Policy/Legislative Specialist

Ripple Effect•Arlington, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ripple Effect is seeking an experienced Policy/Legislative Specialist to support the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role supports CISA’s mission by analyzing and tracking legislation, supporting congressional reporting and correspondence, and executing strategic communications and media coordination related to cybersecurity and infrastructure security initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, International Relations, Homeland Security, or a related field
Minimum of 6 years of demonstrated professional experience supporting legislative analysis, strategic communications, policy analysis, or government affairs
Experience reviewing legislation, regulations, or policy proposals and assessing potential organizational or operational impacts
Ability to obtain and maintain a DHS Fitness Determination
Proven ability to summarize legislative content clearly and accurately for non‑technical or executive audiences
Experience supporting the development of written responses, briefing materials, talking points, or correspondence related to legislative or policy matters
Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and identify risks, implications, and opportunities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to accuracy, clarity, and consistency
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and deadlines
Experience working in or supporting federal agencies, government contractors, or highly regulated environments
Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint
Must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for this role

Nice To Haves

Master's (MA or MBA) degree
Experience supporting DHS, CISA, or other national security or homeland security organizations
Advanced experience assessing the operational, technical, or policy impacts of legislation related to cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, or technology
Strong political acumen and understanding of congressional processes and executive‑branch governance
Experience preparing senior‑level briefings or materials for leadership or external stakeholders
Ability to translate legislative or policy developments into actionable insights and recommendations
Intermediate experience with AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support project management tasks.

Responsibilities

Support CISA’s Legislative Affairs efforts by tracking, monitoring, and analyzing legislation related to cybersecurity and infrastructure security.
Assess the potential impact of legislative proposals and assist in preparing congressional correspondence, briefings, reports, and responses in support of agency priorities.
Independently execute advanced strategic communications projects with minimal supervision.
Conduct thorough research and analysis—including stakeholder perspectives, audience insights, and external environment assessments—to inform messaging approaches and communication strategies.
Lead complex issue analysis related to cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and DHS operational priorities.
Develop data‑driven insights and recommendations to inform leadership decision‑making and legislative or strategic communications efforts.
Lead analytical efforts by collecting, interpreting, and synthesizing relevant data—such as engagement metrics, legislative trends, stakeholder activity, and external indicators—to forecast interest, measure effectiveness, and refine strategic approaches.
Prepare clear, comprehensive documentation and reports summarizing analyses, findings, and outcomes.
Maintain organized records of legislative tracking, communications products, and analytical inputs to support continuity and institutional knowledge.
Ensure all activities and materials comply with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and DHS policies, including privacy, ethics, and communication standards.
Complete all required compliance training and follow established procedures.