Legislative Analyst

Policy And Legislative Affairs

The Policy and Legislative Affairs work unit advises offices and divisions developing the Department's legislative agenda and strategies by assuring alignment with the initiatives of the Governor's Office and approval from the Department's executive team. Analyzes proposed legislation by other state departments, agencies, and stakeholder groups, and identifies potential impacts to CDHS programs. Determines the approach to, and scripting for testimony (e.g. who, when).

Negotiates with constituents, stakeholder groups, agencies, state departments and legislators to ensure that statutory changes accurately reflect efficient administrative capability. Manages constituent requests and legislative reports, processes, and responses. Responds to other duties as assigned.

Position Summary:

Actively keeps the Department aware and informed of legislative activities, maintains integrity at the Capitol and away from it by providing timely responses and representing the Department well. Keeps legislative calendars and hearing invites up to date. Coordinates the drafting, review, and submission of reports to the Governor's Office and General Assembly. At the direction of the Legislative Liaison, expected to be at the State Capitol daily during the Legislative Session and covers relevant committee hearings, and other activities at the direction of the Legislative Liaison, including into the evening during session.

Tracks all bills impacting the department throughout the legislative session. Works with the Legislative Liaison on daily coverage needs regarding meeting coverage and day-to-day delegation of duties.

Subject matter expert on developing legislative communication materials and legislative tracking as well as assisting the Legislative Liaison in communicating with members of the General Assembly and internal customers. Relied upon by the Legislative Liaison and executive management to provide technical expertise on legislative process, written communication to legislators, and provide testimony training. Conducts and compiles technical research and analysis on existing programs;

proposals for new legislation; the impact of proposed legislation and/or action based on analyses and collaboration with program staff to the Legislative Liaison, the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Directors, and Department management.

Representative of the Department to members of the General Assembly and external partners and stakeholders. Responsible for assisting the Legislative Liaison on lobbying legislators to approve Department legislation and budget proposals, including preparation of materials.

Responsible for streamlining communication of complex public human services assistance programs administered by the Department, and all related policies and changes between the Department, and legislators and stakeholders. These high-level communication responsibilities include but are not limited to legislative and budget proposals; human services program eligibility expansion and other enhancements; designing, developing and distributing executive level communication materials such legislative analysis and legislative request fact sheets.

Establishes a process for assigning, tracking, and submitting internal analysis of proposed legislation for policy and fiscal impacts. Works with offices and subject matter experts to draft position request recommendations and potential amendments for proposed legislation for use by the Legislative Liaison and/or the Governor's Office. Develop written communication and presentations for legislators, Governor's Office, stakeholders, and Department staff to provide increased awareness and understanding of the Department's legislative activities.

Assists the Legislative Liaison in lobbying and representing the Department to members of the General Assembly and external audiences. Provides verbal communications on Department legislative activities as needed in a variety of public settings such as Department meetings, county meetings, and internal and external stakeholder meetings. Assists the Legislative Liaison in deciding how to coordinate and synthesize technical communications from Department staff concerning legislative inquiries.

May also represent the Department and its position on policy in legislative hearings and in front of stakeholder groups on an as needed basis.

Researches and prepares talking points and presentations for the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Office Directors, and Governor's Office. Drafts correspondence for audiences including legislators, the media, stakeholders, and clients. Assists program staff with procedures for testifying before the General Assembly and preps staff prior to hearings. Drafts internal communication on relevant legislative updates on a weekly – and sometimes daily - basis

Establishes a process for assigning, tracking, and submitting internal analysis of proposed legislation for policy and fiscal impacts. Tracks…