Responsibilities

Sunset policy analysts work as part of a team to conduct nonpartisan, objective evaluations of Texas state agencies. Key responsibilities include:

• Collecting and analyzing information and data on an agency's operations; identifying state laws and operations in need of improvement.
• Writing concise, persuasive reports recommending changes.
• Making oral presentations on the results of reviews; providing information and assistance to legislators and their staff.
• Managing review teams.
• In the course of this work, Sunset policy analysts come up with creative ways to improve state government and agency operations, learn about a wide variety of policy issues, work with the top management of state agencies, interview stakeholders both in and outside state government, and participate in the legislative process.
• An upper-level analyst typically serves as a project manager to monitor the team's work and ensure all phases of the review occur in a timely, efficient, and effective manner.
• Periodic travel and occasional long hours are components of this job.

 

Qualifications

Required
Education and Experience

• A bachelor's degree.
• At least five years of full-time experience in program evaluation, policy analysis, project management, government, or other relevant professional experience.

Knowledge. Skills. and Abilities

•  Strong research skills and ability to analyze and synthesize information and data, identify problems, investigate issues, and develop effective solutions supported by evidence.
• Ability to objectively assess current state policy and agency practices and develop workable recommendations for consideration by the Sunset Commission and Texas Legislature.
• Ability to write clearly and persuasively and summarize complex information accurately and concisely.
• Ability to independently and effectively create timely, relevant, and accurate work products.
• Strong communication skills, including team, interpersonal, and interviewing skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with team members, agency personnel, stakeholders, and legislative staff.
• Ability to efficiently organize and maintain information, work under pressure, and manage multiple work assignments to meet tight project deadlines.
• Skill to review or monitor the work of others to ensure it meets quality or timeliness standards and to identify coaching or training needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in public policy, law, social sciences, business administration, journalism, or a similar field.

Work Environment

We are a fun, hard-working team of intellectually curious people who believe in our mission to improve government operations.

Small professional office located in the Capitol Complex in downtown Austin with parking.

Benefits

• State of Texas benefits package, including health insurance, employer-matched retirement plan, and paid vacation and sick leave. Dental, vision, and disability insurance; health and dependent care savings accounts; 401 (K); and an employee assistance program are also available.
• Merit increases, bonuses, and opportunities to advance based on individual performance and initiative.
• Emphasis on professional development through both in-house training and opportunities to attend external training sessions, workshops, and seminars.
• $2,000 relocation bonus for new hires residing 250 miles or more from Austin, TX

About the Organization

The Sunset Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply

Please visit our website for details on the application process. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Persons with disabilities or who wish to request an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation with the application process may contact the Sunset ADA Coordinator at (512) 463-1300. Individuals using a TTY, VCO, or HCO assistive device may contact Relay Texas at 7-1-1 for assistance in contacting the Sunset Commission by phone. The Sunset Commission will work with anyone making a request to provide reasonable accommodations. Sunset participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form 1-9 to confirm work authorization.