Policy Specialist

Job Title:         Policy Specialist

Department:    Administration

Reports To:     Vice President of Strategy and Development

Supervises:    None

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Pay Grade:     E3

Job Type:        Full-Time, Regular

AKBCU: No     ICPA: No

General Functions:

Under the direction of the Vice President of Strategy and Development, the Policy Specialist is responsible for monitoring and tracking federal, state, tribal, and local legislation, regulations, and policy developments affecting CITC services. This position leads research, analysis, education and writing for public comment letters, and coalition-building initiatives, and works closely with program staff, and external partners to ensure CITC's policy priorities are well-informed and coordinated.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Public Policy Tracking & Analysis

Lead the development of a policy tracking system (bill/rule matrix) noting status, timeline, and relevant stakeholders.

Track pending legislation, regulations, and proposed rules across federal, state, tribal, and local levels affecting CITC services.

Monitor the Federal Register, agency guidance, and rulemaking dockets for notices, comment periods, and deadlines relevant to CITC's issue areas.

Analyze existing statutes/regulations, as well as proposed legislation and regulations, to determine potential impact on CITC and Alaska Native people.

Research and draft educational materials on federal, state, and local legislation and proposed administrative rules affecting major areas of concern for Alaska Native people and CITC.

Draft comment letters, consultation comments, talking points, and background documents in coordination with leadership and program staff.

Review public comment letters and policy positions from other entities to inform CITC's approach.

Coalition Building

Develop strategy to build and maintain relationships with tribal, state, local, and national coalition partners to advance shared policy priorities.

Identify opportunities for joint education and coordinate messaging with coalition partners.

Coordinate logistics and materials for coalition meetings, working groups, and joint strategy sessions.

Represent CITC in coalition calls, working groups, and partner meetings as assigned.

Track coalition commitments and follow-up items to ensure CITC's participation is well-coordinated and timely.

Internal Support & Coordination

Lead development of talking points, and educational materials for staff.

Attend local, state, tribal, and federal meetings and hearings, and prepare summaries for internal use.

Serve as an internal resource on policy tracking and coalition activities.

Assist with developing the policy strategy for the organization.

Other duties as needed and assigned.

Job Specifications:

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Demonstrated understanding of federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory processes, including notice-and-comment rulemaking.

Excellent organizational and analysis skills.

Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to represent CITC effectively in coalition and partner settings.

Ability to work independently, exercise discretion in decision making, and manage multiple concurrent tracking and coordination tasks.

Ability to organize and support meetings, coalitions, and working groups.

Understanding of the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; 477 legislation and other publicly funded services pertaining to the Alaska Native and American Indian peoples.

Minimum Core Competencies:

CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills.

Minimum Qualifications

:

Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Economics, Public Affairs, Political Communications, Health Care Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business, Rural Development, Social Services, or other specialized study of Indian Law, Health Law, Rural Development, or similar field. Relevant experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Two (2) to three (3) years of experience in legislative or policy tracking, government relations, or coalition-building work, preferably with a tribal, governmental, or non-profit organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's Degree in Political Science, Economics, Public Affairs, Political Communications, Health Care Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business, Rural Development, Social Services, or other specialized study of Indian Law, Health Law, Rural Development, or similar field.

Experience with Alaska Native or American Indian policy issues.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

May require prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and consistently working on a computer with repetitive motion.

The need to occasionally move around the office to access filing cabinets, storage cabinets, and office equipment may be necessary.

Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.