Policy Associate (part-time)

The Council of State Governments (CSG) is the nation's only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships. To learn more about CSG please visit our website at www.csg.org. To learn more about careers at CSG, and about our comprehensive benefit offerings, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, PSLF eligibility and more, please visit our website here.

This opportunity is based in our Washington, DC, office but offers flexibility to work from home part of the work week.

This part-time, temporary Policy Associate position is responsible for supporting state onboarding for CompactConnect, an open-source data system designed to support and operationalize occupational licensure compacts. The Policy Associate is a service-oriented role that allows for exercise of independent judgment under the direction of a CSG Program Manager or Director.

• →Facilitate product meetings for external stakeholders, including discussion of existing features that need modification, upcoming features to be added, and system demonstrations.
• →Facilitate product meetings with the vendor/developer team to decide priority of upcoming work tickets.
• →Serve as a liaison between states, compact commissions, and the developer to better understand and communicate user needs and technical limitations.
• →Support state onboarding for CompactConnect, including outreach to states, progress tracking, planning meetings, providing technical assistance, and supporting users.
• →Support practitioner users of the system on initial troubleshooting steps.
• →Work with all CompactConnect stakeholders on long term management and planning of the system, including best practices, standards, member agreements, finances, value, and overall longevity.
• →Track project finances, including invoices, predicted future spending, and budgets.
• →Work with Policy Analysts and Senior Policy Analysts to coordinate and collaborate with stakeholders and practitioners in carrying out work on collaborative projects.
• →Develop and manage relationships with state officials and policymakers, including legislative and other governmental contacts.
• →Provide direct support to CSG members.
• →Develop and expand a knowledge base on local, state and federal policy, processes and programming, and other relevant policy topics and best practices.
• →Assist with grant and proposal development.
• →Perform writing and editing for communication pieces.
• →Travel overnight and for varying lengths to fulfill duties and responsibilities as needed.
• →Perform other assigned responsibilities and duties to support the overall mission of the organization.

• Strong interpersonal skills including self-awareness, sensitivity and valuing others.
• Dedication to public service with an unfailing commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan in performing CSG duties, and be a responsible steward of member and donor funds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle politically sensitive work.
• Steadfast commitment to providing CSG members with timely, effective customer service.
• Strong writing skills, including policy description and analysis as well as more general writing such as correspondence, memos and articles.
• Demonstrated proficiency in oral communications.
• Ability to facilitate complex policy conversation.
• Analytical, with an ability to think critically, distill and present complex information in a concise manner.
• Skill and competence to work effectively with a myriad of state officials, including high level executive, legislative and judicial officials.
• Ability to work with leading experts in the state government field including researchers, policy experts, and program providers.
• Ability to support proposal and grant writing.
• Ability to work independently and to handle a variety of tasks and assignments concurrently while adhering to specific instructions, technical direction and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple partners, with a preference for having some exposure to working with public officials.
• Self-motivated with ability to take initiative and see complex tasks through to completion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and internet applications; high proficiency in Microsoft Excel; ability to learn additional software programs and new evaluation/analysis techniques.
• Flexibility and willingness to take on new tasks as necessary to meet evolving needs and objectives of organization and its members.
• Hard working, dependable, resourceful and willing to work non-traditional hours, usually dependent on events.
• Aptitude for managing projects.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public policy, political science, education, business administration or in a field of study related to specific policy focus.
• Working knowledge of the legislative, executive and judicial process.
• Knowledge of general state government public policy, policy issues and programming.
• Exposure to the work of interstate compact commissions and occupational licensure.

Interested applicants must complete the online application and include their resume.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Equal Employment Opportunity employer (veterans/individuals with disabilities).