Address:

Office of Chief of Staff
701 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
https://corrections.az.gov

Salary:  $77,958.00 - $100,000.00

Grade: 28

Closing Date: 11/04/2024

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) seeks a gifted communicator with a proven record of building solid relationships to join our executive team as the Chief of Legislative services. The ideal candidate will have professional experience navigating the Arizona legislative process and educating legislators on behalf of the Chief of Staff through continual interactions with the Governor’s office, members of the Senate and House, their staff, and other external stakeholders. Providing regular briefings to the Chief of Staff and the Executive team as you assess the political environment in terms of impact on the Agency's mission, programs, and budget is essential to successfully fulfilling the responsibilities of this role. This position testifies at legislative committee meetings, subcommittees, and interim study committees, providing the agency's stance on legislation and providing necessary background and historical information to legislators. Analyzes existing federal and state laws to determine their impact on the agency and makes recommendations for changes in state laws. Prepares and coordinates responses with agency officials to constituent requests from and on behalf of legislators and legislative staff and provides information to and facilitates interaction with agency stakeholders. Drafts legislation and amendments and arranges its introduction to the House and Senate. Provides substantive weekly reports based on daily monitoring, researching, and analyzing laws and legislative activity in and out of the legislative session.

- Serves as the Chief department liaison on all legislative matters
- Leads legislative effort for ADCRR
- Develops annual legislative agenda
- Provides strategic and tactical counsel to agency management on legislative matters
- Composes position papers for dissemination to legislators and legislative staff
- Prepares end-of-session legislative summaries
- Coordinates the implementation of legislation
- Coordinates interactions and communication between ADCRR executive leadership and the Governor’s office, legislators, their staff, and stakeholders, and represents ADCRR at state legislative liaison meetings
- Meets with external stakeholders, both individuals and groups, to advocate and educate on behalf of the Agency; including public and elected officials, chambers of commerce, community organizations, and businesses
- Coordinates the implementation of adopted legislation, and ensures the Department’s compliance with lobbying statutes as administered by the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office
- Prepares and finalizes correspondence on policy issues and other critical matters
- Testifies before legislative committees, subcommittees, and interim study committees
- Attends meetings to include; testifying on legislation and Department programs and policies
- Responds to inquiries from the legislature, the Governor's office, other state agencies, and other organizations impacted by proposed legislation or existing laws
- Maintains the history of ADCRR legislative programs and serves as a central repository for all documents and correspondence submitted to the Legislature
- Examines, analyzes, and responds to proposed and adopted legislation, as well as ideas, plans, and initiatives from community groups and the general public
- Utilizes knowledge of agency operations and cooperation in solving problems
- Arranges agency orientations for newly elected members of the legislature
- Coordinates agency interaction and visits by legislators and legislative staff
- Drives on State business
- Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge of:
- State legislative processes and parliamentary procedures governing the legislative process
- Principles of Corrections
- Operations of State government
- ADCRR policies, procedures, and organizational structure

Skill in:
- Supervision and leadership
- Written and verbal communication
- Discretion and discernment
- Drafting bills and amendments
- Negotiations and problem resolution
- Interpreting and understanding state and federal laws and legislation

Ability to:
- Educate and garner support for legislation impacting ADCRR
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Manage and organize projects and group efforts
- Participate in developing correspondence on key policy issues and other critical matters
- Build relationships with stakeholders
- Coordinate thorough and accurate responses to informational requests and constituent inquiries from the Legislature

- A Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public administration, government, business, communications, or a related field
- Two (2) years of combined work experience, preferably in Arizona, in any of the following areas: lobbying, legislative activities, political subdivisions, policy/public affairs, or other legislative environments

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

We offer an excellent and affordable comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees:
- Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
- Exceptional retirement program
- Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
- An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Current ADCRR Employees: Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 255-2430. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.