Senior Policy Analyst

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking & admission

Overnight stay discounts

50% off cabins

Free camping

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks a Senior Policy Analyst to support agency-wide policy management, legislative coordination, strategic planning, regulatory and guidance activities, and other policy initiatives. This role collaborates with leadership, division experts, and Policy Office staff to research complex issues and develop policy options.

The position requires analytical acumen, strong writing and editing skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience conducting policy, legislative, governmental, program, or legal-policy research and analysis.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, or editing policies, procedures, legislation, reports, or other complex professional documents.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and administrative requirements.
• Strong analytical, writing, editing, and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate information, identify options, and develop clear recommendations.
• Strong organizational and project-coordination skills, including managing multiple priorities, tracking assignments, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while recognizing when management, subject‑matter, or legal review is needed and to work effectively with agency staff, leadership, legal counsel, government officials, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency with standard office technology and the ability to learn specialized agency and state systems.

Responsibilities

• Conducting policy, legislative, statutory, regulatory, and legal-policy research and analysis and develop options and recommendations for management and executive consideration.
• Developing and conduct substantive review of agencywide policies, legislative initiatives, proposed statutory language, amendments, analyses, and executive briefing materials.
• Analyzing statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, legislative history, and other governmental authorities to identify policy implications, alternatives, risks, and implementation requirements.
• During General Assembly sessions, analyze complex legislation and studies, coordinate program input, assess Agency impacts, and prepare recommendations and decision materials for leadership.
• Leading complex cross-divisional policy projects and studies from initial research through coordination, analysis, option development, and final recommendation.
• Working with subject-matter experts, legal counsel, legislative staff, other agencies, and stakeholders to develop practical agency-level policy solutions.
• Providing advanced analytical support for strategic planning, program evaluation, regulatory and guidance matters, legislative studies, and implementation of significant policy or legislative changes.
• Representing DCR on assigned committees, workgroups, studies, and interagency projects and provide cross-coverage for other Policy Office responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Policy analysis

Writing and editing

Critical thinking

Project coordination

Independent work

Stakeholder collaboration

Legal/policy interpretation

Research and data synthesis

Job description

Title: Senior Policy Analyst

State Role Title: Policy Planning Spec III

Hiring Range: $95,000 - $105,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: Main Street Centre

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, providing access for outdoor recreation, strengthening communities’ flood resilience, and protecting what Virginians care about: clean water, parks, natural habitat, and open spaces.

Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, DCR touches all Virginians’ lives.

DCR offers paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

DCR’s Mission is to conserve the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCR’s efforts to CONSERVE.

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking an experienced, highly organized, and analytical professional to serve as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Policy, Planning and Legislative Affairs. This position serves as a senior professional resource supporting DCR's agencywide policy management, legislative coordination, strategic planning, regulatory and guidance activities, and other special policy initiatives. The Senior Policy Analyst works with DCR leadership, division subject-matter experts, and other Policy Office staff to research complex issues, review and develop agency policies, evaluate policy options, support legislative activities, and help ensure that important agencywide processes are completed accurately and on schedule.

The position is responsible for:

• Conducting policy, legislative, statutory, regulatory, and legal-policy research and analysis and develop options and recommendations for management and executive consideration.
• Developing and conduct substantive review of agencywide policies, legislative initiatives, proposed statutory language, amendments, analyses, and executive briefing materials.
• Analyzing statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, legislative history, and other governmental authorities to identify policy implications, alternatives, risks, and implementation requirements.
• During General Assembly sessions, analyze complex legislation and studies, coordinate program input, assess Agency impacts, and prepare recommendations and decision materials for leadership.
• Leading complex cross-divisional policy projects and studies from initial research through coordination, analysis, option development, and final recommendation.
• Working with subject-matter experts, legal counsel, legislative staff, other agencies, and stakeholders to develop practical agency-level policy solutions.
• Providing advanced analytical support for strategic planning, program evaluation, regulatory and guidance matters, legislative studies, and implementation of significant policy or legislative changes.
• Representing DCR on assigned committees, workgroups, studies, and interagency projects and provide cross-coverage for other Policy Office responsibilities as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience conducting policy, legislative, governmental, program, or legal-policy research and analysis.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, or editing policies, procedures, legislation, reports, or other complex professional documents.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and administrative requirements.
• Strong analytical, writing, editing, and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate information, identify options, and develop clear recommendations.
• Strong organizational and project-coordination skills, including managing multiple priorities, tracking assignments, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while recognizing when management, subject‑matter, or legal review is needed and to work effectively with agency staff, leadership, legal counsel, government officials, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency with standard office technology and the ability to learn specialized agency and state systems.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in Virginia state government, another public‑sector organization, or with legislative or executive processes.
• Experience developing, reviewing, or administering internal agency policies and procedures.
• Experience conducting legislative, statutory, regulatory, or legal-policy research and analysis.
• Experience analyzing legislation or drafting legislative proposals, amendments, policy memoranda, or executive briefing materials.
• Experience preparing recommendations or decision materials for senior leadership and coordinating complex, cross‑program projects.
• Knowledge of the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia administrative processes, or natural resources/public policy issues.

Special Instructions

Occasional overnight travel is necessary.

A valid driver’s license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting official business on behalf of the agency.

DCR encourages applications from minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those with experience with the National Park Service or the federal government. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO/AA/TT).

Explore Virginia State Parks — On Us!

As a DCR employee, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to the natural beauty and outdoor experiences that make Virginia’s State Parks extraordinary — with free admission, special discounts, and perks that make every visit memorable.

Employee benefits include:

• Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• Overnight stay discounts for DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service):
  • Free camping outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day season for sites accommodating up to six people.
  • Free Sunday–Thursday camping (excluding the night before holidays) during the Memorial Day–Labor Day period.
  • 50% off cabins (up to three bedrooms) outside the Memorial Day–Labor Day season for up to 14 nights. Two‑night minimum required. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one‑night yurt stays receive a 25% discount.

Join us and make Virginia’s great outdoors part of your life — it’s one of the many ways we show our appreciation for the people who make DCR’s mission possible!

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: [e-mail]

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.