Policy Analyst

Adams County; Brighton (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Adams County in Colorado seeks a Legislative Affairs role to manage relationships with legislative bodies, analyze pending laws, and advance public policy goals affecting county operations. The position involves coordinating with the Senior Advisor, Board of County Commissioners, and intergovernmental groups to shape advocacy efforts and ensure informed policy responses.

The candidate will monitor federal and state activity, prepare recommendations, and communicate outcomes to county leadership

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of professional legislative or public affairs experience.
• Experience dealing with the public, elected officials, department heads, and interest groups.
• Bachelor's degree in Political Science or Public Administration; master's preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate legislative affairs strategy with the Legislative & Government Affairs Senior Advisor and Board of County Commissioners.
• Monitor federal, state, and regulatory activity affecting the county.
• Work with federal and state lobbyists.
• Analyze pending legislation and assess potential impact on the County.
• Participate in cross-functional team during legislative session to develop policy recommendations.
• Establish contact with elected officials and intergovernmental associations; participate in CCAT/CCI events.
• Communicate legislative outcomes to county officials and management.
• Formalize initiatives to inform and engage the community, fostering accountability and trust.
• Advance the county's credibility in federal, state, and regional arenas.
• Interact with community stakeholders on policy/regulatory changes.

Skills

Public affairs

Policy analysis

Communication skills

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Political Science/Public Administration

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Spreadsheet

Word processing

Job description

Reporting to and working in coordination with the Legislative & Government Affairs Senior Advisor within the County Manager’s Office, this position establishes and maintains relationships regarding legislative affairs and policies. This position interacts and communicates with legislative bodies to promote the public policy goals directly related to laws under which the organization operates; solicits or prepares and proposes legislation; identifies affected interests; works for or against prospective legislation; and tracks and researches newly introduced laws and potential impact.

• Assist in the development of and directly coordinate the county's legislative affairs strategy, working directly with the Legislative & Government Affairs Senior Advisor, senior management team, and the Board of County Commissioners.
• Monitor federal, state, and regulatory activity affecting the county.
• Work directly with federal and state lobbyists.
• Monitor the county's proactive development of and response to legislation, regulations, and/or policy changes that may have an impact on the county specifically or county government in general.
• In coordination with the Legislative & Government Affairs Senior Advisor, support the County’s legislative and lobbying efforts by analyzing pending legislation, priorities, and policy issues and assessing their potential impact on the County.
• Participate in an internal cross-functional team during the legislative session to develop recommendations for legislative strategies and policy initiatives for the Board of County Commissioners.
• Establish and maintain contact and interaction with elected officials and various intergovernmental associations; participate in Colorado Counties, Inc. Steering Committees and CCI Initiatives/Events as assigned, Colorado Counties Acting Together (CCAT) Events/Meetings as assigned and others, as deemed appropriate.
• Communicate the outcomes of legislative activities to other county elected officials and management team.
• Working with other departments, formalize the county's initiatives for delivering information to and receiving feedback from the community that will ultimately foster and sustain a reputation of accountability, integrity, and trustworthiness for Adams County.
• Work to advance the credibility of the county in federal, state, and regional arenas through participation and involvement in federal, state, and regional projects.
• Interact with community stakeholders, as appropriate, to understand impacts to potential policy and/or regulatory changes. This includes assisting in studies, programs or special projects related to regional and countywide initiatives.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

• Experience working in and navigating complex political relationships with both elected officials and coalition groups.
• Understanding of Colorado state and local political landscape.
• Excellent presentation and verbal and written communications skills.
• Computer Skills: utilize computer applications such as spreadsheet and word processing programs.
• Compile, analyze, interpret, and report research findings.
• Learn, interpret, and apply pertinent Federal, State and local laws, and regulations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with the public and collaborate and partner with local jurisdictions and agencies; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to make effective oral presentations.
• Proven ability to build healthy, effective working relationships with staff at various levels of an organization.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and varying topics and proven ability to quickly learn and get up to speed on a variety of subject matters.
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.

Experience

• Minimum Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional legislative or public affairs experience in the public OR any equivalent combination as it relates to Colorado legislative affairs.
• Prior experience in dealing with the public, elected officials, department/division heads, and special interest groups.
• Previous legislative and public sector or public sector-related experienced preferred.

Education and Training

• A bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or directly related field.
• A master's degree in a related field is preferred.

License or Certificate

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid Colorado Driver’s License.

Background Check

Must pass a criminal background check.