Policy Analyst – Housing, Land Use & Government Ops. - Extra Help

The County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Santa Clara seeks a Policy Analyst for the Office of County Supervisor Otto Lee to perform budget and policy analysis in land use, fiscal and government operations, and to provide constituent services and community outreach.

This is a full-time extra-help, at-will position with no overtime; there is potential for conversion to a full-time benefited role, and a benefits package may apply later.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Organizational proficiency, including the abilities to prioritize, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team.
• Read and summarize a significant volume of complex information.
• Think creatively and articulate thoughts clearly, including in public settings.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal planning, zoning, and housing policy and ordinances.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs Suite, and social media platforms.

Responsibilities

• Policy Analysis — provide the Supervisor with strong policy analysis within the issue areas of responsibility, including evaluating budgetary, legislative, and community impacts. Draft background memos, talking points, and provide staffing as needed.
• Community Outreach — provide staff support to the Supervisor at meetings and events, coordinate and attend stakeholder meetings on behalf of the Supervisor, and develop positive working relationships with community members and department leaders. The Policy Analyst will also provide issue-area specific content for the Supervisor’s newsletter, social media, and website.
• Constituent Services and Casework Management — respond to constituents seeking help, including providing information and facilitating communication with County departments and agencies.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational proficiency

Task prioritization

Independent work

Teamwork

Reading comprehension

Public speaking

Policy knowledge

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Docs

Social media platforms

Job description

The Policy Analyst is a full-time extra help position in the Office of County Supervisor Otto Lee, responsible for budget and policy analysis in land use, fiscal and government operations. This position also involves providing constituent services, casework, and community outreach. The position of Policy Analyst is an at-will position reporting to the Deputy Chief of Staff. Candidates who are bilingual in Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply.

The County of Santa Clara government serves approximately 1.9 million residents. The Board of Supervisors consists of five members who are elected to four-year terms. Each supervisor represents a geographic district. Elected in November 2020, Supervisor Lee represents the Third District, which includes Alviso, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, and neighborhoods in North San Jose.

Employees in this classification are not members of the classified civil service and appointment would be on a contract “at-will” basis and is for a specified period of time to be determined by the appointing Supervisor and/or Chief of Staff and does not extend past the end of the Supervisor's or appointing authority's term. Candidates must be willing to work evenings and weekends on occasion, and as salaried employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Salary Information

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $70,000 to $90,000, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. This is an Extra-Help position without benefits, with the potential for conversion to a full-time, benefited position. The County offers a generous medical, dental, and vision benefits package. Retirement benefits are provided through CalPERS (the California Public Employees’ Retirement System). Paid holidays, as well as vacation and sick leave, are part of the compensation package.

Responsibilities for the position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Policy Analysis— provide the Supervisor with strong policy analysis within the issue areas of responsibility, including evaluating budgetary, legislative, and community impacts. Draft background memos, talking points, and provide staffing as needed.
• Community Outreach — provide staff support to the Supervisor at meetings and events, coordinate and attend stakeholder meetings on behalf of the Supervisor, and develop positive working relationships with community members and department leaders. The Policy Analyst will also provide issue-area specific content for the Supervisor’s newsletter, social media, and website.
• Constituent Services and Casework Management — respond to constituents seeking help, including providing information and facilitating communication with County departments and agencies.

Any combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise the Supervisor on matters of public policy, democratic processes, constituent service, or citizen involvement.

Required Licensing

Possession of a valid California Driver’s license is required.

Employment Eligibility

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country.

Required experience, knowledge, and skills for this position include

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Organizational proficiency, including the abilities to prioritize, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team.
• Read and summarize a significant volume of complex information.
• Think creatively and articulate thoughts clearly, including in public settings.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal planning, zoning, and housing policy and ordinances.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs Suite, and social media platforms.