Title: Senior Policy Analyst and Data Privacy Advisor - 00065

State Role Title: Policy Planning Spec III

Hiring Range: up to $110,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of Elections

Location: Department of Elections

Agency Website: www.dhrm.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of Elections promotes and supports accurate, fair, open and secure elections for the citizens of the Commonwealth. ELECT ensures the proper administration of election laws, campaign finance disclosure compliance, and voter registration processes in the state by promulgating rules, regulations, issuing instructions, and providing information to local Electoral Boards and general registrars.

The Department of Elections envisions a highly modern, efficient and professional electoral process that is trustworthy and accountable at all levels and engages Virginia’s diverse citizenry in the most fundamental right in a democratic society: the right to vote.

This is a senior position on the policy team that will directly oversee the work of ELECT’s FOIA Analysts in addition to serving as a senior advisor to senior management and the State Board of Elections (SBE). The role will also focus on data privacy as it relates to list maintenance activities and the release of information. This position will also coordinate litigation efforts and the release of records with the Office of the Attorney General. Additionally, the position will also analyze and interpret local, state, and federal law and SBE regulations and draft necessary guidance in order to ensure elections are conducted uniformly and according to law and policy.

Minimum Qualifications

● Applies knowledge of administrative procedures for conducting hearings, due process standards, and legal research methods.
● Knowledge of research, analysis, planning, evaluation, and measurement techniques.
● Specialized knowledge of state, federal, and local election laws, regulations, and related policies.
● Ability to develop technical, administrative, legal and policy guidance in response to existing law, policies, and regulations.
● Ability to represent the agency at legislative committee meetings, sub-committee meetings, board meetings, hearings, and other public meetings.
● Ability to evaluate the impact of legislation on state and local operations, policies, revenues and costs.
● Ability to function independently in performing most duties.
● Specialized knowledge of Virginia Freedom of Information Act laws and procedures.
● Ability to monitor and evaluate programs and processes and propose modifications to existing programs and processes.
● Ability to recommend, research, and draft changes to proposed legislation and existing laws, policies, and regulations in response to the impact on state and local operations, policies, revenues, and costs.
● Ability to take direction and receive guidance from executive level management on complex issues when necessary.
● Ability to lead the policy team in the absence of policy manager.
● Knowledge of interconnection between the Department of Elections and other agencies including, but not limited to, the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the Library of Virginia, and local registrars and electoral boards.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
● Ability to research and analyze complex issues.
● Knowledge of the State's regulatory processes, including the use of Town Hall.
● Proficiency in use of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software; knowledge of other computer applications.
● Skilled in organization and communication.
● Ability to communicate law and policy terms and ideas with an array of audiences.
● Ability to work in a team atmosphere.
● Ability to work independently on projects
● Critical thinking.
● Active listening.
● Judgement and decision-making.
● Some travel required.

Additional Considerations

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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.

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Contact Information

Name: debbie wyatt smith

Phone: 804-292-6414

Email: Debbie.wyattsmith@dhrm.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.