Policy Legal Operations Analyst - Governance & Legislative Affairs

Title: Policy Legal Operations Analyst - Governance & Legislative Affairs

State Role Title: Policy Planning Specialist III

Hiring Range: $87,841 - $142,741

Pay Band: 6

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Annex Building

Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is excited to offer and announce an opportunity to serve as a Policy Legal Operations Analyst in Governance & Legislative Affairs Division in our Central Office! The selected candidate will provide technical support and guidance in the development of policy, legislative, and regulatory proposals for VDOT. Draft and review contracts, MOUs and other agreements. Review and interpret regulations and statutes applicable to VDOT operations and programs to ensure agency policies are uniform and internal guidelines are in compliance with law. Review and interpret CTB Policy to ensure the CTB is in compliance with legislative mandates, the law and regulations. Provide agency advocacy in personnel grievance matters and associated non-judicial hearings as needed. Provide assistance to and consultation with the Attorney General’s Office.

Position specific responsibilities and duties will include, but are not limited to:

Liaison to Attorney General’s Office - Serve as a point of contact as needed with the Attorney General’s Office to resolve legal issues and questions of law related to VDOT’s programs and processes, and coordinate information and documentation with the AG’s staff
Legislative and Regulatory Impacts - Identify federal and state legislation and regulations that affect VDOT operational areas. Analyze impacts and provide status reports to operational areas.

Legal Reviews - Review memoranda, agreements, CTB policy, Intellectual Property and FOIA requests and make recommendations.
Administrative Hearing Support – Prepare Administrative Hearing / Informal Fact Finding Conference briefing packages and conduct briefings. Serve as back-up Administrative Hearing Office / Agency Representative in these matters.

Technical Support – Provide technical support and guidance in developing and interpreting policy, legislative, and regulatory proposals for VDOT.

Drafting Support - Draft documents and appropriate and legally sound language as needed to support all Core Responsibilities.
Agency Advocate - Serve as occasional agency advocate in grievance matters to support Human Resources Division, as needed and approved by Division Director.

The incumbent will also attend General Assembly and other legislative committee meetings on an as needed basis and if directed to do so by the Division Director. Any such attendance requires advance review and preparation of VDOT issues that may be addressed, awareness of protocol and meeting specific instructions, and reporting back on actions taken or agency related issues that arose.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences and to make presentations and conduct meetings.
• Knowledge of Intellectual Property and FOIA laws.
• Knowledge of the operations and processes of legislative committees.
• Ability to identify issues at the national level impacting the operations of the agency.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.
• Experience performing legal and policy research.
• Knowledge of American legal systems, including legislative and regulatory processes at the federal and state level.
• Experience interpreting and applying regulations and legislation.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with agency employees, businesses, organizations, and governmental officials.
• Ability to collect, compile, and accurately analyze data.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, organize work and coordinate activities across a diverse group of people and special interests.
• Ability to draft, edit, and analyze the impact of legislation.
• Ability to draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in drafting, negotiating, and reviewing contracts and agreements, with a preference for experience in which state governmental entities are a party.
• A combination of training, experience or education in law, business, or policy is desired, with a JD being preferred.
• Knowledge of Virginia’s legal system to include laws, regulations, and legislative processes.

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.

Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within Central Office locations may be designated upon request and coordination among the respective District Engineer or Administrator and Chief. Assignments are updated annually. Not all designated employees are provided an emergency operations assignment.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

Contact Information

Name: Audrey Phillips

Phone: 804-837-4748

Email: audrey.phillips@vdot.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.