Legislative Analyst

Title: Legislative Analyst

Agency: VCCS-System Office

Location: Richmond (City) - 760

FLSA: Nonexempt

Hiring Range: $40 - $45 hourly

Full Time or Part Time: Part Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

Virginia's community colleges have a 50-year track record of educational excellence and innovation to serve the needs of our citizens and strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy.  When Virginia’s General Assembly established the Virginia Community College System in 1966, the need for a comprehensive system was well known. Over the two decades after the end of World War II, leaders in government, business, professional sectors, and academia had called for a new approach to providing educational opportunity.  A key concern was Virginia's ability to develop a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to expand the state's economy. Today our community colleges give every Virginian the opportunity to gain a quality education.  With 23 colleges on 40 campuses located throughout the state, Virginia's Community Colleges are committed to serving Virginia families, helping them acquire the knowledge and skills to seize the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

The Legislative Analyst plans and implements a program of comprehensive analytical communications that assists the Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations in recommending, and responding to, policies, procedures, legislation and regulations at both the state and national governmental level, in both agencies and in applicable legislative bodies.

This position works with the Associate Vice Chancellor, the Chancellor’s Cabinet, college legislative officers and presidents in gathering and presenting legislative information that allows Virginia’s Community Colleges to take advantage of legislative environment and opportunities. The position also interacts as necessary or directed with other agencies, including the State Council for Higher Education, and staff members of Virginia’s legislative bodies both at the state and national level.

The position is responsible for independently seeking out information on legislation proposed at the state level, determining if it impacts Virginia’s Community Colleges, and analyzing and tracking legislation, maintaining committee calendars and bill lists, and doing research as necessary to enhance the agency’s understanding of legislative and policy proposals. The position will present results of legislative tracking as frequently as necessary. The position is also responsible for assisting the Associate Vice Chancellor in developing an expanded program of federal legislative tracking.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of governmental relations.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex pieces of legislation and summarize them in succinct issue briefs.
• Extensive knowledge of the VCCS and higher education to include state policies and procedures, instructional practices of higher education and resource allocation and resource management of large scale enterprises.
• Extensive experience in state government legislative processes and familiarity with state governmental resources such as the Legislative Information System and Lobbyist-In-a-Box.
• Experience and familiarity with legislative tracking software and systems at both the state and federal levels.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with major studies in government, management or other relevant fields.
• Considerable experience in identifying, tracking, and analyzing legislation related to higher education agencies is required.
• Excellent writing, communication, research and analytical skills are required.
• A master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Historical knowledge of VCCS and its role in state higher education and state government is preferred.