Title: Policy Planner (Policy and Legislative Services Division)
State Role Title: Policy Planning Spec I
Hiring Range: $50,000-$60,000
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Dept of Housing & Cmnty Devel
Location: Main Street Centre
Agency Website: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Do you enjoy survey research, data management, and translating data into reports and maps? If so, we encourage you to apply for the Policy Analysis and Planning position with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)!
As a Policy Planner, you will be responsible for helping translate data into clear, accessible formats for internal teams and external partners, producing tables, charts, dashboards, and maps using tools such as Tableau and ArcGIS. The position responds to routine data and information requests and provides technical assistance to agency divisions and external stakeholders in coordination with senior staff. You will also be responsible for maintaining databases used by the division and agency programs, performing data entry, integration, quality assurance, and documentation to improve the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of agency data.
As a member of the Policy and Legislative Services Division, the Policy Planner will work closely with the Data and Research Manager and with the Senior Division Analyst to:
• Administer surveys to local government officials, program participants, and other stakeholders in DHCD programs
• Maintain databases used by the division and agency programs, performing data entry, integration, quality assurance, and documentation to improve the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of agency data.
What you’ll do:
• Cleans, codes, and organizes survey data; aggregates responses from multiple sources; documents survey methodology and response rates.
• Maintains division and program databases; performs data entry, updates, and quality-assurance and quality-control checks.
• Supports consistency in data standards, collection methods, and reporting frameworks across agency programs and divisions.
• Assists in developing survey instruments using established survey methods; administers surveys to local government officials, program participants, and other stakeholders in DHCD programs; monitors and follows up on survey responses; and cleans, codes, and organizes resulting data for analysis.
• Translates data into clear, accessible formats for internal teams and external partners, producing tables, charts, dashboards, and maps using tools such as Tableau and ArcGIS.
• Responds to routine data and information requests and provides technical assistance to agency divisions and external stakeholders in coordination with senior staff.
• Ensures research and data provided in support of legislative and budget analysis are accurate, relevant, and delivered within required timeframes.
If you possess the skills and knowledge of researching, surveying, and collecting data with a high degree of accuracy, then you are just the person we need! The ability to translate data into clear and accessible formats for our internal teams and external partners is the key to making this role a success.
Join us in making a meaningful impact on Virginia’s future and go and apply today Jobs.virginia.gov. We can’t wait to work with you!
This position is telework-eligible and adheres to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s telework policy 1.61.
Commonwealth of Virginia benefits/incentives include:
Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Tuition Reimbursement
Dental/Medical/Vision plans
Sick, Family/Personal, Annual, Military, and Community Service Leave
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Disability Plans (Short and Long Term)
Retirement and Savings plans
Life and Long-Term Care Insurance; Telework-Eligible Commonwealth of VA Employees ONLY discounts
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Minimum Qualifications
•Knowledge of basic research and survey methods, such as questionnaire design, sampling concepts, survey administration, or documentation of methodology and response rates.
•Skill in collecting, entering, cleaning, organizing, and managing data with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
•Skill in presenting data clearly through tables, charts, maps, and dashboards.
•Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a range of audiences, including local government officials, program participants, and other external stakeholders.
•Proficiency with spreadsheet and database tools (e.g., advanced Excel, Access, or SQL) or familiarity with a statistical software platform (e.g., R, Stata, Python, SPSS, or SAS)
• Experience in applying quantitative or qualitative research methodologies
Additional Considerations
•Knowledge of Virginia state and local government structure and of housing and community development programs is preferred.
•Experience using Tableau, ArcGIS, or other data visualization or GIS tools is preferred
•Experience interacting with the public, local governments, or external partners in a professional setting is preferred.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Application Process:
Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application, or you may attach a resume before the position’s closing date. Applications/changes received after the closing date will not be considered. Applications sent through postal mail, email, or fax will not be considered.
Applicants are encouraged to be specific regarding job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities.
You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Supplemental Questions:
You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration. Answers should be reflected in jobs and positions held.
Background and Reference Checks:
Selected applicants are subject to background investigation and reference checks. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (if required and relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.
Lay off Policy 1.3:
If you have been impacted by the DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and have a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), it is necessary to submit the card before the closing date for this position. You can include the Card as an attachment with your state application.
DHCD Welcomes Veterans and Spouses:
We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible to receive additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application.
Sponsorship:
The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.
Reasonable Accommodations:
Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Department of Housing and Community Development practices fair and equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.
Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion:
DHCD is committed to providing valuable opportunities for a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where all employees feel supported. DHCD seeks to work with partners, grantees and vendors who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a practice and have a demonstrated record of this commitment.
Alternative Hiring Process:
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019. Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022-
February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: N/A.
Email: rr-recruitment1@dhcd.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.