Legislative Operations Specialist

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking a full-time Legislative Operations Specialist to join the External Relations – Government Relations team.

Join a team that values collaboration, professional growth, and work-life balance! We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Legislative Operations Specialist (EO2) professional who enjoys working in a dynamic environment and takes pride in delivering accurate, high-quality work. If you are adaptable, organized, and committed to excellent communication and collaboration, we encourage you to apply.

The primary duties of this position include:

Job Description:

The Associate Legislative Liaison supports the Department’s legislative, regulatory, and policy-related activities by leading and coordinating complex, multi-division projects, managing SharePoint resources, and overseeing legislative assignments and reporting. This position requires strong project management skills to ensure timely and accurate tracking of legislation, responses, and reporting requirements, while also serving as a primary trainer and point of contact for division legislative liaisons.

The role provides essential analytical, research, and coordination support to the External Relations (ER) team.

Key

Duties and Responsibilities:

SharePoint Online (SPO) Site and Permission Management

• Serves as the site owner for the Government Relations (GR) SharePoint site, maintaining all content, lists, permissions, and user groups.
• Manages division liaison listings, Requests for Information (RFI) and Legislative Tracking List permissions, subject matter expert listings, and related permission groups.
• Ensures appropriate read/edit access for agency staff.
• Maintains all GR SharePoint tracking lists, including RFI lists, the Legislative Tracker, and SME directories.

Legislative Report and Assignment Coordination

• Manages all Legislative Services Agency (LSA)-assigned legislative reports, verifying assignments annually, scheduling division responsibilities, tracking completion, and uploading reports to the LSA portal.
• Provides training, guidance, and technical support to division legislative liaisons and subject matter experts regarding legislative processes and assignments.
• Maintains legislative manuals and desk guides, ensuring annual updates and providing training as needed, including leading weekly meetings during Session.

RFI and Director Memo Coordination

• Serves as Lead RFI Coordinator by receiving requests, making assignments, managing approved responses, and providing training and support to liaisons and backup coordinators.
• Coordinates Director Memos by logging requests, tracking progress through approval, and leading weekly status discussions with HHS Operations staff.

Post-Session Legislative Implementation

• Develops and manages structured project plans, monitors division progress on post-session implementation of legislative requirements, and ensures deadlines and deliverables are met.
• Identifies risks, tracks milestones, and proactively coordinates with divisions to resolve barriers.

Legislative Research and Analysis

• Conducts broad research on legislative activities, state and federal regulations, compliance matters, and policy issues affecting the Department.
• Identifies and communicates emerging issues to Department leadership and staff.

Support to GR

• Provides additional support to the GR team as needed and performs other duties as assigned.

Daily Responsibilities During Legislative Session:

Legislation Tracking and Review

• Serves as the primary coordinator for tracking legislative bills relevant to the Department.
• Posts daily updates from legislative communications to the SharePoint site.
• Reviews all new bills introduced, identifying those with actual or potential HHS impact and determining likely lead divisions.
• Tracks companion and successor bills, amendments, debate calendars, scheduled subcommittees and committees, bills passed, and fiscal notes.

Daily Legislative Huddle

• Leads the daily Legislative Huddle meeting.
• Prepares and distributes a daily email (prior to 8 a.m.) summarizing legislative activity, including new bills, scheduled debates, companion bills, and priority…