CPS Legislative Liaison

Under the direction of the CPS Director of Outreach & Engagement, the CPS Legislative Liaison performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services, project management, legislative coordination, policy analysis, and strategic planning work for the Child Protective Services division.

The position provides oversight of legislative activities impacting CPS, including coordinating bill analyses, implementation planning, appropriations-related activities, legislative reporting, and responses to legislative inquiries. The position manages multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously and routinely provides executive-level consultation and recommendations to CPS leadership.

The position serves as the CPS Business Continuity and Legislative Coordination Lead and is responsible for developing and coordinating legislative implementation activities, monitoring legislative and policy developments, tracking executive assignments, coordinating open records requests, preparing executive communications, and leading special projects associated with federal and state initiatives.

The liaison frequently interacts with DFPS executive leadership, state office divisions, field operations, legislative offices, governmental entities, and external stakeholders. The position exercises substantial independent judgment and routinely responds to urgent and high-profile assignments requiring rapid analysis and decision support.

1. Legislative Strategy, Planning, and Implementation (35%)

Plans, develops, coordinates, and manages CPS legislative activities associated with state and federal initiatives. Oversees legislative implementation projects, monitors legislative developments, coordinates division responses, and develops implementation plans to ensure compliance with enacted legislation.

Duties

• Serves as CPS Legislative Liaison and principal coordinator for legislative activities impacting the division.
• Monitors proposed legislation and legislative activities affecting CPS programs and operations.
• Coordinates bill analyses, fiscal impact assessments, policy analyses, and implementation planning.
• Develops and tracks legislative implementation plans and associated deliverables.
• Provides strategic recommendations to CPS leadership regarding legislative and operational impacts.
• Coordinates responses to legislative requests and legislative inquiries.
• Monitors project schedules, deliverables, and statutory requirements.
• Provides legislative consultation and technical assistance to CPS leadership and program staff.

2. Executive Policy Analysis and Legislative Reporting (25%)

Performs advanced research, policy analysis, evaluation, and reporting activities related to child welfare programs, legislation, and agency priorities.

Duties

• Conducts complex research and policy analyses.
• Evaluates the operational, fiscal, and programmatic impact of proposed legislation.
• Develops executive briefings, issue papers, reports, summary documents, and policy recommendations.
• Coordinates legislative reports, implementation reports, exceptional item requests, and legislative initiative documents.
• Develops executive correspondence and responses to legislative and governmental inquiries.
• Provides written and verbal recommendations to executive leadership regarding policy, operational, and legislative issues.

3. Executive Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement (15%)

Serves as a principal contact for legislative matters, governmental affairs issues, and executive requests involving CPS programs.

Duties

• Coordinates responses to legislative, governmental, executive, and stakeholder requests.
• Collaborates with DFPS divisions, CPS programs, and field operations to gather information and meet organizational objectives.
• Represents CPS in meetings, work groups, planning sessions, and legislative discussions.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitates communication among stakeholder groups to ensure timely completion of assignments and projects.

4. Executive Communications and Leadership Support (15%)

Provides comprehensive executive support and consultation on legislative and policy matters.

Duties

• Develops legislative testimony materials, briefing books, presentations, and informational materials.
• Prepares talking points and executive communications for leadership.
• Assists leadership in preparing for legislative hearings, stakeholder meetings, and speaking engagements.
• Produces executive-level reports and documents…