Senior Policy Strategist – Conservation & Legislation

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

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