Title: Senior Policy Analyst and Data Privacy Advisor #00029

State Role Title: Policy Planning Spec III

Hiring Range: Up to $110,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Elections

Location: Department of Elections

Agency Website:  https://www.elections.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

About the Agency
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.

About the Position
This is a senior position on the policy team that is responsible for ensuring ELECT’s compliance in all aspects of state and federal law and the State Board of Elections (SBE) regulations related to election administration, voting, records, and elections generally within Virginia. The role will also focus on data privacy as it relates to list maintenance activities and the release of information and will coordinate the review and release of records for litigation with the Office of the Attorney General. The position will 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. Some travel required.

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 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 and privacy laws.
•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.
•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.

Additional Considerations

•Demonstrated experience in legislative and policy analysis and drafting.
•Experience with Virginia’s regulatory process and Virginia FOIA.
•Experience and knowledge in legal research and writing preferred.
•Juris Doctor preferred.
•Experience in Public Administration, Affairs, or Policy.

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.

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet. AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please call 804-225-2131 for assistance.

All applicants are subject to a background investigation. The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Contact Information

Name: Kimberly Crutchfield

Phone: 804-292-6542

Email: kimberly.crutchfield@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.