Legislative Analyst

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.  

Legislative Analysis

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

Legislative Process & Tracking

Establishes a process for assigning, tracking, and submitting internal analysis of proposed legislation for policy and fiscal impacts. Tracks internal and external legislative initiatives from inception to passage and implementation.  Listen to floor and committee work, caucus meetings, and other legislative engagements to help Legislative Affairs and other internal teams manage calendars, keep tabs on relevant bills, and generally understand the tone in the chamber. Coordinates with program staff on technical subject matters for legislative initiates and their implementation. Maintains subject matter expertise on the Colorado legislative process and communicates this to internal partners, including communicating on committee meetings and floor work.   Responsible for tracking and coordinating all legislative reports submitted to the General Assembly.

Legislative and Internal Relationships

Directly lobby members when needed at the direction of the Legislative Liaison, schedule legislative meetings, organize legislator tours, develop and reproduce materials for legislative events, track and manage the legislative reports calendar and process, prepare materials for committee hearings, and maintain the legislative tracking database. Manage regular legislative check-in meetings with programs throughout the legislative session. Assists with organizing legislative tours at relevant CDHS and contractor facilities for elected officials and Capitol staff.  Responsible for updating legislative coordinators with relevant information regarding bills and committees, including regular legislative check-ins and chat when bills are up in committee. Assists internal staff with testimony, including signing them up, getting talking points reviewed, and meeting them at the Capitol to help them navigate the committee process.

Develop guidance documents for activities at the Capitol or with members of the General Assembly.

• Analyze all introduced bills to determine which (if any) CDHS programs are impacted by the proposed changes to law.
• Assign bills to CDHS programs for subject matter experts to draft a policy impact analysis and fiscal impact analysis.
• Analyze and summarize amendment requests submitted by CDHS’ subject matter experts through the policy impact analysis process. 
• Lead weekly, CDHS-wide meetings to brief staff on the upcoming schedule of bill hearings at the General Assembly. 
• Coordinate testimony for bill hearings at the General Assembly.
• Attend or listen to bill hearings at the General Assembly, as directed by CDHS’ Legislative Liaison.
• Communicate directly to members of the General Assembly concerning legislation, as directed by CDHS’ Legislative Liaison.
• Track all statutorily-mandated reports in a database. 
• Track all Joint Budget Committee requests for information in a database.
• Communicate timelines to CDHS subject matter experts for drafting and reviewing statutorily-mandated reports and Joint Budget Committee requests for information.
• Coordinate the internal review process of statutorily-mandated reports and Joint Budget Committee requests for information.
• Conduct a final review statutorily-mandated reports and Joint Budget Committee requests for information to ensure that the information meets the stated requirements.
• Write one-page summary documents, frequently asked questions documents for CDHS-authored legislation and bill summaries for all bills impacting CDHS following the legislative session. 
• Develop and communicate the process and deadlines for developing policy proposals to CDHS’ subject matter experts.
• Track policy proposals developed by CDHS’ subject matter experts.
• Assist CDHS’ subject matter experts in drafting policy proposals in accordance with the standards outlined by the Department’s Senior Executive Team. 

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position.  Work experience must be specifically documented on your application.   "See resume" or "see attached" statements in the work experience section will not be accepted in lieu of the official application form.

LIAISON III (H1Q3XX)  

Experience Only:
Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position specifically public sector or community based experience working with public policy analysis and implementation, and development and review of legislation.

OR

Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years

• Two years of recent professional public sector or community-based experience 

• Experience that provided the same kind, amount, and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor's degree.
• A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for the two years of experience.

• Proven expertise in the legislative and public policy process
• Demonstrated ability to establish collaborative partnerships and effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external customers and diverse stakeholders
• Outstanding skills and abilities in verbal and written communications; ability to adapt a style to fit audiences of varying technical levels, and at various levels within an organization, in large groups and individual settings
• Ability to navigate in a complex political environment; ability to inspire trust in others and use influence and social capital to drive initiatives
• Excellent skills in project management and facilitation, including establishing goals and timetables, tactical plans, securing and coordinating resources, monitoring progress, engaging and working with other personnel or teams, measuring results, developing contingencies, and reporting out
• Ability and motivation to develop creative solutions to complex, interpersonal, process, and systemic challenges
• Excellent judgment and decision making skills; makes decisions in accordance with upper management's philosophy, values and goals; perceives items and issues that are of great importance and initiates action proactively and within appropriate boundaries
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data and information, and to identify the impact information may have on seemingly unrelated areas
• Ability to adapt work behavior and methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles
• Years of State service

Conditions of Employment:

• Standard background Check, Reference Checks
  

• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: If this position will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.

• Must possess a valid, non restricted Colorado Driver's license or an non-restricted U.S Drivers License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border.

• this position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.

• Out of State Drivers License holders must obtain a valid, non restricted Colorado Drivers License within 30 days of employment start date

• Be a minimum of 21 years of age

• Travel – May need to travel to the post office or pick up supplies based on duties, and occasional travel to assigned training. 

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

  •  Disclose the information on the application

  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position 

  • Provide your employee number from your prior State employment.  Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resingnation in leiu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated.  You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.  

• You can find the official appeal form here. 

• You must deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203, or 

  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203), or

  • Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

• At (303) 866-3300, or

•  Refer to the  Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules, and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.orgplus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

• (Multiple Choice) The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. 

  • Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

    • This information is available to me and I have read this information.

    • I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

• Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not, please update your information before submitting  your application. Yes/No

• If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997…). Your application may be considered incomplete if you do not provide this information. An incomplete application may not move forward in the Selection process.  If you are a former or current state employee, please identify what state agency you work(ed) with and how many years of relevant state service you have related to the position you are applying for. (Ensure this is listed on your application under work experience).

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application.

In the space below, please explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify your application from the current position. 

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~