Job Description
Senior Policy Advisor Tennessee Department of State Capitol Office of the Secretary of State Mission: The mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in a customer-centered environment.
Supervisor: Secretary of State
Summary: The Senior Policy Advisor will provide research and policy analysis on a variety of subjects, including higher education, government finance, real property transactions, and overall legislation. The role includes advocating for the providing staff support on behalf of the principal on a variety of boards and commissions that focus on higher education and finance-related subjects.
Duties/Responsibilities - Work independently and collaboratively to plan, formulate, conduct, evaluate, and carry out various technical policy research and development related to higher education, economics, and state finance priorities—often in time-sensitive situations.
- Develop and prepare a broad set of policy papers, including briefing memoranda, official reports, speeches, and legislative testimony, clearly and concisely.
- Represent the department on various state boards and to other state agencies.
- Provide staff support for various boards and commissions, including briefing the principal on upcoming agenda items and other matters of fiduciary duty.
- Special projects or other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Education, Experience, and Abilities: - A degree from an accredited four-year college or university in economics, finance, public administration, higher education administration, business administration, or other related fields.
- At least five years of relevant legislative and policy work experience in higher education, economics, or government finance.
- Demonstrated aptitude to learn specific state and local governments' operations, public administration, government finance, and the legislative process.
- Knowledge and experience with general research methods and databases.
- Ability to distill board and commission agenda items into talking points and decision briefings.
- The above qualifications express the minimum standards of education, experience, and abilities required for this position.
- Other combinations of education, experience, and abilities, if valued as equivalent, may qualify an applicant for consideration.
Preferred Qualifications Education, Experience, and Abilities: - Advanced degree in economics, finance, public administration, higher education administration, business administration, or other related fields.
- Relevant legislative and policy work experience in higher education, economics, or government finance.
- Familiarity with higher education policy issues and the ability to provide in-depth analysis and recommendations regarding postsecondary policy matters.
- Technical knowledge in higher education matters relative to capital outlay, tuition setting, and academic program approval.
Additional Skills - Ability to deal tactfully with the public, co-workers, and legislature members, to exercise sound judgment in decision-making, to express ideas clearly, concisely, and convincingly, and to maintain adequate documentation of work performed.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage and coordinate several projects simultaneously, support team members, and track complex tasks across multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to monitor email and text messages and respond in a timely manner.
- Strong written and verbal communicator with great attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to plan effectively and the flexibility to handle the unexpected.
- Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and be willing and able to travel independently throughout the state, including occasional overnight travel.
Salary: Commensurate with experience and State of Tennessee benefits package.
Job Tags
Full time, Work experience placement, Local area, Night shift,