Policy Aide

Description

The Office of Supervisor Sylvia Arenas is recruiting for a Policy Aide position. The position serves as a policy analyst in direct support of the elected official. The position will provide support with policy analysis, research, communication, event planning, community outreach, and other related matters as needed. The position requires an individual with strong and effective organizational skills; ability to handle multiple assignments with competing deadlines; excellent written and oral communications skills, including the ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with community members, neighborhood organizations, key stakeholders, and County staff. Experience and knowledge of public policy and analysis are highly desirable. Bilingual language skills (Vietnamese, Spanish, and/or Chinese) both oral and written skills are desirable, but not required.

Employees in this classification are not members of the classified civil service and appointment would be on a contract “at-will” basis and is for a specified period of time to be determined by the appointing Supervisor and/or Chief of Staff and does not extend past the end of the Supervisor's or appointing authority's term. Candidates must be willing to work evenings and weekends on occasion, and as salary employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process may consist of one or more interviews. You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.

1. Can you describe your experience in policy analysis, including writing reports and/or memoranda for managers or elected officials?

2. Can you describe your experience in working with staff, customers, or constituents on behalf of a manager, supervisor, or elected official?

3. Why are you interested in working with Supervisor Sylvia Arenas?

Please make sure to submit the application form and attach your cover letter and resume. You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

Application form: https://tinyurl.com/District1Application

Additional Information

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Nancy Le at [email protected].

Typical Tasks

Responsibilities for the position may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides legislative support and analysis (legislative and policy research, responding to stakeholder inquiries, etc.) to the elected official.
• Gathers background information relative to issues pending before the Board of Supervisors.
• Analyzes a wide variety of materials on assigned projects, programs, and topics.
• Provides communication support such as drafting correspondence, preparing memoranda or reports which articulate the elected official’s proposals, priorities, and positions on matters pending before the Board of Supervisors or other governmental agencies.
• Assists in preparation of speeches, articles, or other communications for the elected official.
• Responds to a variety of constituent inquiries, resolving complaints, and interpreting operating policies for residents of the community and other interested parties.
• Plans, coordinates, and leads community meetings and special events.
• Represents the elected official at community meetings and activities, County-related boards/commission meetings and other meetings with government agencies, private industry, and related meetings.
• May provide training and supervision of interns and volunteers.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.

Employment Standards

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise the Supervisor on matters of public policy, democratic processes, constituent service, or citizen involvement.

Required Licensing: Possession of a valid California Driver’s license is required.

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country.

Desirable experience, knowledge and skills for this position include:

• Knowledge of public administration and policy work.
• Ability to carry out and promote the Supervisor’s agenda and direction regardless of personal philosophies.
• Strong work ethic, professionalism, and flexibility.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment with changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate with community-based organizations and key stakeholders regarding the Supervisor’s priorities and policy issues coming to the Board of Supervisors.
• Skilled in research techniques and applications; collecting, compiling, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing (email, letters, report writing and editing).
• Ability to complete work assignments in a quick and efficient manner with minimal assistance from others, to work in a team environment with other staff members in an office and in the field.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others and facilitate groups to achieve common objectives; understand and identify key issues and make recommendations in complex situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others and to provide excellent service to internal and external customers, stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Ability to work in a team environment as an effective team contributor.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently, effectively prioritize work, and manage multiple, diverse, and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Self-motivated, good organizational skills, detail-oriented, ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in software applications, such as Microsoft Suite: MS Word, Excel, Publisher, Office and Power Point.