Project and Policy Advisor

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; full-benefits

This professional position coordinates and oversees policy development, strategic initiatives, and stakeholder engagement for the Frederick County Executive. Supervision is received from Chief of Staff.  This position serves at the pleasure of the County Executive.

• Manage stakeholder engagement, including ongoing engagement with the County Executive’s Transition Team and management of policy workgroups; organize, facilitate, and participate in stakeholder meetings to identify needs and build consensus and collaboration
• Maintain and track implementation of the County Executive’s strategic priorities and publish updates of the Transition Team Implementation Tracker
• Prepare and deliver presentations to the County Executive’s senior leadership team, County Council, and external stakeholders
• Represent the County at meetings and conferences; provide reports on information and action items discussed
• Analyze complex, and controversial issues, initiatives and current County policies; propose initiatives to address emerging issues and initiatives
• Lead and coordinate the planning and implementation of projects and initiatives; develop project plans including scope, timelines, resources, budgets and deliverables; lead the implementation of projects and track and communicate progress 
• Provide advice to leadership regarding the impact of existing and proposed policies
• Develop and propose new policies; work closely with leadership to implement these policies
• Analyze and review federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations to ensure compliance and determine impacts on County services, departmental plans, and policies, and County Executive initiatives; conduct research and analyze best practices and trends; formulate and implement recommendations
• Draft policy papers, reports, and other recommendations; prepare detailed reports, briefing notes, and presentations on policy issues; explain policy proposals and implications to varied audiences
• Collaborate with various stakeholders, including government officials, non-profit organizations, and private sector entities; gather input and feedback on policy matters
• Track and assess the effectiveness of implemented policies; recommend adjustments based on findings
• Draft correspondence, talking points, and other documents as needed
• Work with the County Executive’s communications, community outreach, and legislative teams to develop outreach plans
• Perform other related duties as assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

• Bachelor's degree 
• Minimum 4 years of work experience in writing or analyzing public policy
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• NOTE: A graduate degree in public policy or administration and/or law degree may reduce the work experience requirement

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to reason logically and strategically to analyze and evaluate policy options and related legal considerations
• Ability to lead and facilitate group meetings and discussions 
• Read, interpret and understand information and ideas presented in writing 
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• Build consensus on policy among individuals with different viewpoints 
• Ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and draw well-informed conclusions
• Ability to read and interpret law and guidance documents and apply to local area operation 
• Strong clerical and record-keeping skills, including the ability to accurately perform basic math and financial functions
• Ability to accurately compile and prepare statistical and technical data and reports
• Ability to effectively access and utilize Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail, spreadsheet and other systems and equipment, and to learn new software as it is required
• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, including the ability to make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision 
• Discretion and good judgment in dealing with sensitive and personal information with ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to clearly explain policies and procedures
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, representatives of cooperating agencies, officials from federal, state and local government and the general public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Law or related field
• Experience working in a government setting

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit and occasionally walk
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors and occasionally work outdoors

• Available for varied evening and weekend work hours to accommodate meetings, special events, etc.
• Ability to provide own transportation to meetings, etc.

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and qualifications
2. One or more interviews

Salary : $98,312 - $157,299