Policy Chief

Florida Legislature; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

The Florida Legislature is seeking a senior advisor and policy expert to serve the subcommittee chair, conducting complex analyses that inform state policy. This role focuses on human services topics including child welfare, mental health, substance abuse, and related policy areas, guiding research direction and drafting key documents.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating research projects, preparing reports and budget documents, and briefing legislators and leadership.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and seven years of professional administrative, research, policy analysis, or program planning and evaluation experience.
• A master’s degree can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• A doctorate or juris doctorate can substitute for two years of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of expertise in the subcommittee subject area and monitor significant changes.
• Conceptualize and conduct studies related to subject area policy and prepare legislation.
• Plan and coordinate preparation of research projects and other major subcommittee documents.
• Coordinate subcommittee meeting planning and present findings as appropriate.
• Prepare subcommittee reports and budget documents; participate in policy development.
• Brief legislators on issues to be discussed; respond to inquiries from legislators and the public.
• Consult with agencies to identify issues needing legislative attention; maintain oversight on agencies.
• May select, train, discipline, and evaluate staff; assist in workload planning and time management.

Skills

Legislative process

Policy analysis

Research methods

Written communication

Oral communication

Supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree substitution (1 year)

Juris Doctorate substitution (2 years)

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Database software

Data analysis

Job description

This position performs responsible work at an advanced level functioning as a senior advisor and expert to a subcommittee chair, requiring the ability to perform complex analytical tasks on which state policy may be based. The policy chief manages the functions of a standing subcommittee; sets priorities; focuses direction of research; supervises and monitors staff work progress; produces or coordinates production of draft legislation, analyses, reports and communication documents for a subcommittee; and provides policy advice to members and House leadership.This position will work in policy areas related to human services programs, such as child welfare, mental health and substance abuse, developmental disability policy, elder services policy, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S., this position is required to electronically file a Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

• Maintains a high level of expertise in subcommittee subject area and monitors all significant changes and activities.
• Conceptualizes and conducts studies related to subject area policy, prepares legislation to solve problems identified by the subcommittee chair, other subcommittee members, subcommittee staff, and the public.
• Plans and coordinates the preparation of research projects and other major subcommittee documents.
• Coordinates the planning of the subcommittee meetings with chair and staff and presents subcommittee findings when appropriate.
• Prepares necessary subcommittee reports and budget documents. Participates in formulating and implementing policies and procedures for the subcommittee.
• Briefs legislators verbally or in writing on issues to be discussed in committee, on the floor, or with constituents.
• Prepares or reviews written and oral communication initiated in response to inquiries from Legislators, subcommittee or unit staff, and the public.
• Consults and maintains communication with agencies and organizations to identify issues which require legislative attention.
• Maintains oversight on executive branch agencies within jurisdictional area and investigates operations which deviate from an expected or statutory norm.
• May select, train, discipline, and evaluate the performance of staff employees.
• Assists in planning workloads, workflows, deadlines, work objectives, and time utilization with employees.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Knowledge of the legislative process.
  • Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.
  • Knowledge of legal terminology and legal research.
  • Knowledge of computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
  • Knowledge of the methods of data collection and analysis.
  • Knowledge of Florida state government, legislative rules, and procedures.
  • Knowledge of the subject matter under the jurisdiction of the subcommittee.
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and management.
  • Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, and organization.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and concisely verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to take action in situations which lack clear direction.
  • Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the demands of the public.
  • Ability to conduct meetings and make presentations.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
  • Ability to plan, organize, direct work, and evaluate results and alternative strategies.
  • Ability to utilize research and analytical skills.
  • Ability to process large amounts of information from diverse sources and to integrate that information into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.
  • Ability to be resourceful and act independently.
  • Ability to organize and implement sound management skills which result in an effective coordinated function.
  • Ability to do short- and long-range program project planning.
  • Ability to understand and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Ability to assess budgetary needs.
  • Ability to formulate policies.
  • Ability to supervise people.
  • Ability to train others.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and seven years of professional administrative, research, policy analysis, or program planning and evaluation experience.

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• A doctorate or juris doctorate from an accredited college or university can substitute for two years of the required experience.
• Professional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience. The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

Accommodation for Disability: If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at [phone].