Legislative Affairs Liaison Specialist DS-03O1-13
position closes 10/10
Experience Required to Apply:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, college or university and a minimum of 1-2 years of work experience related to legislative affairs, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Expert knowledge of the legislative process of the District Government preferred, as well as, City Council proceedings in order to provide advice and direction on legislative activities.
Knowledge of the methods, practices, and techniques of monitoring government legislative and regulatory agendas and identifying those initiatives that impact upon juvenile justice, child welfare and human services agencies.
Expert knowledge and ability to review, interpret, analyze, critique and draft legislation and identity legal challenges or issues that may arise because of pending or existing legislation.
Ability to communicate information, and build working relationships between Department officials and City Council Members and their staffs, Stakeholders and community groups. Skill in written and oral communication in order to produce written documents, including testimonies, statements, letters, and other informational materials.
Introduction
This position is located in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the principal liaison for legislative affairs and labor relations. The incumbent independently coordinates with and tasks DYRS senior managers for input to policy formulation, drafting legislation, and collective bargaining agreements with relevant unions.
Major Duties
Incumbent serves as principal adviser to the Chief of Staff on matters concerning legislation, and requests from the Council of the District of Columbia on all legislative matters affecting the Department. Coordinates and analyzes the development of new legislation and tracks District and Federal legislation communicating potential impacts of proposed legislation to the Director and staff. Responsible for coordinating the development of a comprehensive data retrieving system for tracking and updating relevant legislation pertaining to issues of significance to the Department. The incumbent issues and provides oversight of the legislative issues assigned to other staff. Develops and coordinates responses to proposed resolutions and legislation affecting the various programs administered by the Department. Maintains a close liaison with communications staff to relate such information, ensuring preparation of comments in a timely manner. The incumbent monitors legislation and resolutions of the Council of the District of Columbia that impact services provided by DYRS.
Provides assistance on a broad range of requirements and issues inclusive of managing special legislative projects; ensuring timeliness of responses and imposed dates; and as requested, represents the Department in policy forums. Reviews critical legislative correspondence and special requests for information prior to submission to the Director’s review and approval.
Attends City Council meetings and reports findings to the Director and relevant staff. Coordinates the participation of DYRS staff and stakeholders in City Council hearings, briefings and meetings. Prepares comprehensive responses to City Council and Congressional requests for information concerning the programs of the Department. Serves as the liaison to the City Council on all legislative matters. Supervises the maintenance of all issuances such as Mayoral Orders, legislative amendments, City Council resolutions, etc. pertaining to the Department of Housing and Community Development. Monitors all legislation proposals from inception until final adoption by the City Council and Congress affecting the Department.
Develops procedures and processes to effectively evaluate problems and issues relating to legislative issues; offers alternative solutions to problems and concerns; and clarifies the intent of proposed legislation from the Department to the areas of concern. Provides expert advice in defining issues and concerns regarding proposed or new legislation. Analyzes current legislation and makes recommendations on adopting additional or new legislation.
Incumbent serves as the point of contact on labor-management relation’s matters of overall concern to established bargaining units within the Department. Confers with the Human Resources Manager on negotiability issues and interpretation of Federal and District laws involving labor practices in DYRS. Advises management of their labor relation’s responsibility. Initiates, develops and coordinates the organizations Labor-Management Partnership Council. Assures that necessary labor relations’ training is made available for staff and management officials.
Provides consultation and support to the budget preparation team in preparing budgets for funding for the various programs and projects of the Department. Provides relative information referring to legislation to support additional requests for funding or initial funding of programs.
Participates in the development of requests or required reports by Departmental staff and/or stakeholders (e.g., HUD, the Mayor’s Office, the City Administrator’s Office, City Council, or the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development).
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge Required By the Position
Comprehensive knowledge of the mission, functional requirements, goals and objectives of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and nature of the operating programs and interrelationships;
Expert knowledge of analytical and evaluation methods and techniques plus a thorough understanding of how regulatory or enforcement programs are administered to select and apply appropriate program evaluation and measurement techniques in determining the extent of compliance with rules and regulations issued by the agency in order to develop procedures and processes to effectively evaluate problems and issues relating to legislative issues and labor relations liaison activities.
Mastery of advanced management and organizational principles and practices along with a comprehensive knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting regulations, guidelines and process and expert knowledge and understanding of the budgetary process to effectively provide assistance with the development of budget for presentation before the City Council and Congress.
Skill in planning, organizing, and directing team study work and ability to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations concerning legislation affecting their respective areas where the proposals may be in conflict with the desires of the activity studied.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups interested in or affected by programs and legislative changes.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Supervisory Controls
Work is performed under the supervision of the Chief of Staff. Within the framework of priorities, funding and overall objectives, the employee and supervisor develops a mutually acceptable project plan which typically includes the identification of the work to be done, the scope of the project and deadlines for its completion. The incumbent plans, coordinates, and completes assignments independently, taking required action to accomplish planned goals and objectives within the framework of established policies and guidance. The supervisor is available for consultation on controversial issues. The incumbent exercises initiative, resourcefulness and judgment in arriving at solutions that impact the overall mission of the Department. Completed projects, evaluations, reports, or recommendations are reviewed by the supervisor for compatibility with organizational goals, guidelines, and effectiveness in achieving intended objectives. Completed work is also reviewed critically outside the employee’s immediate office by staff, program officials, and line management officials whose programs and employees would be affected by implementation of the recommendations.
Guidelines
Guidelines consist of basic administrative policy statements concerning the issue or problem being studied, and may include reference to pertinent legislative history, related court decisions, state and local laws, or policy initiatives of agency management and procedures of the District of Columbia. The incumbent uses seasoned judgment in deviating from established policies and procedures and develops methods appropriate to specific situations.
Complexity
Assignments include planning, developing, analyzing, and evaluating current and proposed legislation affecting programs of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Service.
Decisions regarding what needs to be done involve providing comprehensive analysis on legislation affecting the Department; determining the most effective approaches and strategies to effectively propose alternative solutions to legislation; and providing accurate and sound recommendations.
Scope and Effect
The purposes of the work are to plan, coordinate, and develop comprehensive recommendations to legislative proposals and amendments affecting the operations of the Department.
The work contributes to ensuring that the Department fulfills its objectives and mandates for an efficient operation as it affects the youth served in DYRS facilities and programs.
Personal Contacts
Personal contacts include staff of the Department, other District and Federal Government agencies, stakeholders, City council members, members of congress and the public as necessary.
Purpose of Contacts
The purpose of contacts is to provide advice, coordinate assignments, persuade acceptance, defend action taken, or provide input relative to legislation affecting the Department’s program goals and objectives.
Physical Demands
The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required.
Work Environment
The work is performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. May require occasional travel.