Job Overview

About The Role

NCSL’s Financial Services, Technology and Communications (FTC) program seeks a Program Principal to join our team. The FTC team tracks state legislative interests and actions, conducts research, offers in-person and virtual learning and networking opportunities, and develops publications on issues related to financial services, consumer protection, alcohol sales and production, broadband and telecommunications, cybersecurity, privacy, artificial intelligence, internet regulation and other technology issues.

The FTC team believes in providing excellent customer service to NCSL’s members. Successful candidates will bring public policy expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and privacy and other technology issues. The successful candidate will possess superior communication skills, including writing, public speaking and presentations and strong research and analysis skills, with preference toward candidates possessing legislative experience. They are accomplished at translating legislation and statutory data, research and policy information and work independently anticipating the needs of state legislatures. The position is non-partisan and non-advocacy, and the ideal candidate possesses a demonstrated passion for NCSL’s mission to strengthen state legislatures along with abilities and skills necessary to build relationships and networks of state legislators and legislative staff, and the ability to remain neutral on politically charged topics.

In addition to these qualities, the successful candidate will combine strong analytical skills with a broader ability to: 1) recognize and analyze trends; 2) maintain, improve and develop new, creative website documents and products that effectively inform NCSL clients; 3) bring energy, ideas and creativity to a variety of team activities, sometimes requiring travel to state legislatures; and 4) perform work independently within established program guidelines or project specifications. The position reports to the Director of the Financial Services, Technology and Communications program.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

• Maintains subject matter expertise on policy or legislative issues within artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy and other technology issues, prepares concise and accurate responses to legislative requests for information and assists legislators and legislative staff with their research and information needs both proactively and reactively.
• Anticipates emerging issues of importance to state legislatures and responds by assisting with leading the program’s research, analysis and training. Also assists with creating a plan to disseminate that work, through means such as technical assistance, webinars, meetings, webpages, reports, newsletters, articles and others.
• Designs and leads complex legislative research projects with an understanding of political context and provides substantive analysis and interpretations to legislators and legislative staff.
• Synthesizes and analyzes research on federal, state and local actions that impact the work of legislatures, such as, executive and administrative actions and intergovernmental actions.
• Independently plans, organizes and conducts nonpartisan technical assistance programs, meetings and educational sessions at larger meetings.
• Creates substantive, engaging and interactive presentations or trainings for legislators, legislative staff and others with the ability to respond to questions and assists junior staff in developing these skills as needed.
• Writes skillfully, independently and with minimal need for editing for a full range of publications. Provides peer-review editing of colleagues’ work as well as mentoring of junior staff in this area as needed.
• May coordinate, manage and facilitate the work of a standing committee or task force. Maintains effective relations with key legislators and legislative staff involved as needed.
• May develop funding concepts, write proposals and assist with grant applications with some degree of independence, but highly coordinated with the program’s Director.
• May assist with funder relations and complete high-quality, timely assigned project deliverables, under the direction of supervisor.
• Travels domestically for meetings, technical assistance and other project activities as needed.
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required plus six years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy and other relevant field.
• Expertise and proven leadership in assigned policy or legislative domain.
• Strong writing, editing and presentation skills and the ability to communicate information clearly and credibly to a variety of audiences.
• Excellence at working both collaboratively with others and independently.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff and an established national network of professional contacts and others.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality as required.
• Competence in a wide range of policy and legislative analysis skills, including experience translating policy, analyzing policy data, writing publications and presenting policy overviews.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan meetings and manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of power between the branches of government.
• Critically reviews one's own work and independently initiates improvements or refinements.
• Ability to travel by air up to 10 times per year, with most trips being 1-3 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel.

Work Environment

This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Benefits

NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.  We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

About the Organization

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.

How to Apply

If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, April 26, 2024 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/ncsl-careers.aspx. We are looking forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.