Policy Aide

The County of Santa Clara’s Supervisor Betty Duong is building her team to support the residents of District Two and the County-at-large. District Two spans East San José, parts of downtown San José and South San José, and neighboring unincorporated areas of the County.

The Policy Aide position is responsible for policy analysis in some or all of the following areas: immigration, housing and homelessness, public safety, social services, child and family welfare, health care, transportation, energy, land use, environment and sustainability, budget, finance and governance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Policy Analysis – provide the Supervisor with policy analysis within the assigned topical areas, including but not limited to evaluating budgetary, legislative and community impacts to develop recommendations. Develop relationships with county staff, community members, and other stakeholders to provide robust and comprehensive analysis. Collaborate with colleagues to advance the Supervisor’s priorities.
• Community Outreach – staff the Supervisor at meetings and events in the community, attend meetings and events on behalf of the Supervisor, identify opportunities and maintain relationships with residents and stakeholder groups within the District. Consistent communication and engagement to share the Supervisor’s priorities and efforts to support District residents.
• Customer Service and Casework Management – respond to residents seeking assistance, including providing information and facilitating communication with appropriate County agencies and departments, community resources and other jurisdictional agencies.
• Meeting Management – Prepare the Supervisor for meetings of the Board of Supervisors, including Board committees, and other agencies/bodies on which the Supervisor serves. Conduct follow-up meetings and actions as necessary.

Required Skills:

• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Organizational proficiency, including prioritization, flexibility, detail orientation, and deadline management.
• Ability to quickly and thoroughly read, analyze and summarize complex information into clear and concise memoranda.
• Proven experience working across/collaborating with departments, organizations and/or diverse teams.

Additional Considerations:

• Preferred work experience of 3 years working in public policy.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.
• Ability to speak another language including but not limited to Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese.
• General knowledge of local, state and federal government and the role and basic functions of county government.

Compensation:

The salary for this position will be commensurate with skills and experience. The County offers excellent medical, dental and vision benefits. Retirement benefits are provided through CalPERS (the California Public Employees’ Retirement System). Paid holidays, as well as vacation and sick leave, are also included in the compensation package.

Location: San Jose

Application Deadline: Until position is filled

Application Process:

Please email a detailed cover letter outlining your interest and experience as it relates to this opportunity and resume to kelsey.m.combellick@bos.sccgov.org. Please include "Policy Aide Position" in the subject line.  

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.  

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.

Salary : $35,795 - $223,939