Policy Planner (Policy and Legislative Services Division)

Virginia AG; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Tuition Reimbursement

Dental/Medical/Vision plans

Leave (Sick, Annual, Military, etc.)

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Disability Plans (Short/Long Term)

Retirement and Savings plans

Life and Long-Term Care Insurance

Telework-Eligible

Job summary

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is seeking a Policy Planner to translate data into clear formats for internal teams and external partners. You will produce tables, charts, dashboards, and maps using Tableau and ArcGIS, supporting routine requests and providing technical assistance across divisions.

The role collaborates with the Data and Research Manager and Senior Division Analyst, handling surveys, data maintenance, QA, and documentation to improve data accuracy

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic research and survey methods (questionnaire design, sampling, administration).
• Ability to collect, enter, clean, organize, and manage data accurately.
• Skill in presenting data through tables, charts, maps, dashboards.
• Strong written and verbal communication with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Cleans, codes, and organizes survey data; aggregates responses from multiple sources; documents methodology and response rates.
• Maintains division and program databases; performs data entry, updates, and quality checks.
• Supports consistency in data standards and reporting frameworks across agency programs.
• Assists in developing survey instruments and administers surveys; monitors responses; cleans and codes data for analysis.
• Translates data into clear formats for internal teams and external partners, producing dashboards and maps using Tableau/ArcGIS.
• Responds to routine data requests and provides technical assistance to divisions and stakeholders.
• Ensures research data used for legislative and budget analysis is accurate and timely.

Skills

Survey methods

Data management

Data visualization

Communication

Excel/SQL

Tools

Tableau

ArcGIS

SQL

Excel

Job description

Title: Policy Planner (Policy and Legislative Services Division)

State Role Title:Policy Planning Spec I

Hiring Range: $50,000-$60,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept of Housing & Cmnty Devel

Location:Main Street Centre

Agency Website:https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Do you enjoy survey research, data management, and translating data into reports and maps? If so, we encourage you to apply for the Policy Analysis and Planning position with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)! As a Policy Planner, you will be responsible for helping translate data into clear, accessible formats for internal teams and external partners, producing tables, charts, dashboards, and maps using tools such as Tableau and ArcGIS. The position responds to routine data and information requests and provides technical assistance to agency divisions and external stakeholders in coordination with senior staff. You will also be responsible for maintaining databases used by the division and agency programs, performing data entry, integration, quality assurance, and documentation to improve the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of agency data.

As a member of the Policy and Legislative Services Division, the Policy Planner will work closely with the Data and Research Manager and with the Senior Division Analyst to:

• Administer surveys to local government officials, program participants, and other stakeholders in DHCD programs
• Maintain databases used by the division and agency programs, performing data entry, integration, quality assurance, and documentation to improve the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of agency data.

What you’ll do:

• Cleans, codes, and organizes survey data; aggregates responses from multiple sources; documents survey methodology and response rates.
• Maintains division and program databases; performs data entry, updates, and quality-assurance and quality-control checks.
• Supports consistency in data standards, collection methods, and reporting frameworks across agency programs and divisions.
• Assists in developing survey instruments using established survey methods; administers surveys to local government officials, program participants, and other stakeholders in DHCD programs; monitors and follows up on survey responses; and cleans, codes, and organizes resulting data for analysis.
• Translates data into clear, accessible formats for internal teams and external partners, producing tables, charts, dashboards, and maps using tools such as Tableau and ArcGIS.
• Responds to routine data and information requests and provides technical assistance to agency divisions and external stakeholders in coordination with senior staff.
• Ensures research and data provided in support of legislative and budget analysis are accurate, relevant, and delivered within required timeframes.

If you possess the skills and knowledge of researching, surveying, and collecting data with a high degree of accuracy, then you are just the person we need! The ability to translate data into clear and accessible formats for our internal teams and external partners is the key to making this role a success.

This position is telework-eligible and adheres to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s telework policy 1.61.

Commonwealth of Virginia benefits/incentives include

• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Dental/Medical/Vision plans
• Sick, Family/Personal, Annual, Military, and Community Service Leave
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Disability Plans (Short and Long Term)
• Retirement and Savings plans
• Life and Long-Term Care Insurance; Telework-Eligible Commonwealth of VA Employees ONLY discounts
• Follow DHCD on Twitter (X), Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram!

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic research and survey methods, such as questionnaire design, sampling concepts, survey administration, or documentation of methodology and response rates.
• Skill in collecting, entering, cleaning, organizing, and managing data with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Skill in presenting data clearly through tables, charts, maps, and dashboards.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a range of audiences, including local government officials, program participants, and other external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and database tools (e.g., advanced Excel, Access, or SQL) or familiarity with a statistical software platform (e.g., R, Stata, Python, SPSS, or SAS)
• Experience in applying quantitative or qualitative research methodologies

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of Virginia state and local government structure and of housing and community development programs is preferred.
• Experience using Tableau, ArcGIS, or other data visualization or GIS tools is preferred
• Experience interacting with the public, local governments, or external partners in a professional setting is preferred.

Sponsorship

The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.

Reasonable Accommodations

Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Department of Housing and Community Development practices fair and equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion

DHCD is committed to providing valuable opportunities for a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where all employees feel supported. DHCD seeks to work with partners, grantees and vendors who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a practice and have a demonstrated record of this commitment.

Alternative Hiring Process

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019. Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A.

Email: [e-mail]