Deputy Director of Policy and Research
State of Colorado
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Deputy Director of Policy and Research in the Governor’s Office of Colorado is a senior staff role reporting to the Director of Policy and Research. The position leads the Policy and Research team, providing strategic policy analysis, legislative recommendations, project management, and communications support for the Governor's agenda.
Ideal candidates bring deep public policy expertise, experience with Colorado's budget and legislative process, and strong collaboration with elected
Qualifications
- 5-7 years work-related experience and a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields.
- Public policy analysis and development skills.
- Detail oriented and organized in fast paced environments.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Familiarity with governmental and legislative processes.
- Experience and expertise in policy areas of public safety and labor-related issues is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Supervise policy staff and ensure quality counsel to the Governor and Senior Staff to achieve the goals of the office and advance the Governor's agenda.
- Directly advise the Director of Policy and Research, Governor, Lt. Governor and Senior Staff on general policy matters.
- Coordinate closely with senior executive staff across state agencies to ensure alignment and advancement of administration priorities.
- Coordinate with the Governor's legislative team and agency legislative liaisons on key agenda items for the session.
- Support the policy and budget teams in developing the Governor’s annual budget request.
- Engage external stakeholders to inform and advance administration priorities.
- Assist with office communications, including talking points, press inquiries, speeches, and memos.
Skills
Education
Job description
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. Governor Polis is focused on lowering health care costs for hardworking Coloradans, transitioning the state to renewable energy sources, ensuring every Colorado child gets a quality education, making housing more affordable and available, improving public safety, and building an economy that works for everyone. The Office of the Governor's staff includes budgeting, communications and outreach, legal counsel, legislative liaison, operations, policy and research, and scheduling.
Department: Policy and Research
FLSA Status: Exempt
Work Schedule (Hybrid): In office at least 3 days per week; specific schedule will be determined in consultation with supervisor
$115,000-$125,000
Occasional in and out of state travel
This position reports to the Director of Policy and Research and is part of the Governor’s Office and Senior Leadership teams. This position assists in the supervision of the Senior Advisors and may directly supervisor Policy Advisors or Policy Coordinators. The Deputy Director of Policy and Research will work very closely with the legislative team, budget team, state agency legislative liaisons, and agency subject matter experts to advance policy goals.
The Deputy Director of Policy and Research is a member of Governor Polis' Senior Staff and reports directly to the Governor's Director of Policy and Research. The position directly supports management of the Governors’ Policy and Research team which provides strategic policy and legislative analysis and recommendations, project management, press guidance and general policy support for the Governor's agenda.
They will be effective problem solvers with a deep understanding of a breadth of policy issues; a proven track record in public policy work; and have experience with the Colorado state budget and legislative processes. They will be supportive and team-oriented problem solvers who are comfortable interacting with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected officials and cabinet members. The portfolios will include education-related issues, and therefore specific experience and expertise in these policy areas is strongly preferred.
- Support the Director of Policy and Research in supervising policy staff and ensuring quality counsel to the Governor and other members of Senior Staff to achieve the goals of the office and advance the Governor's agenda.
- Directly advise the Director of Policy and Research, Governor, Lt. Governor and Senior Staff on general policy matters.
- Coordinate closely with senior executive staff across state agencies to ensure alignment and advancement of administration priorities.
- Coordinate closely with the Governor's legislative team and agency legislative liaisons on key agenda items and priorities in preparation for and during the legislative session.
- Support the policy and budget teams in the development of the Governor’s annual budget request.
- Engage external stakeholders as appropriate to inform and advance administration priorities.
- Assist with office communications, including talking points, press inquiries, speeches, and memos, to ensure consistency and maximize strategic opportunities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across diverse and intersectional policy areas.
- Ability to step outside of core competency policy areas and provide strategic guidance to the policy team on additional areas when needed.
- Adept policy advisor as demonstrated by extensive experience successfully advising elected or appointed officials on complex policy issues.
- Effective listener, strategic thinker, and collaborative problem solver who is familiar with the public sector at the state and local levels.
- Effective manager capable of supporting guidance and direction to a large team.
- Proven leader who enjoys working with others and has a demonstrated commitment to professional development and supporting colleagues as appropriate.
- Familiarity with Colorado politics and understanding of issues unique to the state.
- 5-7 years work related experience and Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields helpful.
- Public policy analysis and development skills, as demonstrated by professional and/or academic experience.
- Detail oriented and organized with the ability to work in a fast paced environment.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Familiarity with governmental and legislative processes.
- Experience and expertise in policy areas of public safety and labor-related issues is preferred.
must be currently employed within the Policy and Research team, Office of the Governor.
- Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)
- Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours per month (10 days a year)
- 12 paid holidays per year
- Medical and dental plans
- State paid life insurance policy of a minimum of $50,000 or 1x annual salary
- Choice of 2 retirement plans
- 401K and 457 plans
- State paid Short Term Disability coverage
- Additional optional life and disability plans
- Credit Union Membership
- RTD pass
- Training and professional development
To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Senior Human Resources Director) at gov_hr@state.co.us.
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