DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

Address:  3003 N. CENTRAL AVE, PHOENIX, AZ 85012

Salary:  $100,000 - $120,000

Grade: 28

Closing Date:  This job announcement will remain open until a candidate has been identified,

Under the direction of the Director of DCS, the Chief Legislative Liaison will be the primary point of contact for State of Arizona government elected officials. This person will provide leadership and coordination of the legislative process for the Department and maintain a confidential working relationship with the Director, the DCS leadership team & personnel, the Governor's Office, and the State Legislature regarding all legislative matters. This position will represent the agency in working directly with state legislators, other state officials, other agency representatives, and key stakeholders.

• Establishes, manages, and maintains relationships with all branches of Arizona State Government, the DCS Leadership Team and personnel, stakeholders, and community partners.
  
• Negotiates and problem solves directly with the Legislature within clearly defined parameters established by the Director and the Governor’s Legislative Affairs staff.
  
• Routinely keeps the Director, the DCS Leadership Team, DCS Personnel, the Governor's Legislative Affairs staff, and key department stakeholders briefed on pending legislation and issues.
  
• Develops the DCS’s legislative package in consultation with the Director, the DCS Leadership Team, DCS personnel, and the Governor’s Legislative Affairs staff.
  
• Drafts, analyzes, reviews, and monitors legislation that may impact DCSs, and community partners.
  
• Provides advice to DCS regarding actions on specific legislation and proposals.
  
• Advises the Director, the Deputy Directors, and DCS staff on policy development, strategy, and the legislative process.
  
• Represents DCS at legislative committee hearings and other meetings as designated, including testifying on legislation and department programs and policies.
  
• Drafts presentations to explain DCS policies and associated state and federal laws.
  
• Participates in and represents DCS at internal and external meetings.
  
• Oversees and/or completes research and responses to legislative and constituent inquiries, including tracking trends to provide recommendations for improvements to the appropriate programs.
  
• Manages and files department's legal reporting for lobbyists as required by statute.
  
• Participates as a member of DCS’s Executive Leadership Team.
  
• May supervise legislative support staff.
  
• Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment
  
  

Knowledge of:
- DCS programs, priorities and needs
- Applicable county, state and federal laws, and guidelines
- State legislative processes
- Strategic planning processes and methods

Skill in:
- Independent decision making
- Interpreting, analyzing, and explaining state and federal laws and proposed legislation
- Establishing and maintaining critical relationships with key members of the Legislative and Executive branches
- Verbal and written communication

Ability to:
- Represent DCS and speak on behalf of the Director in a clear, concise manner
- Delegate effectively
- Identify critical issues and analyze complex legislation
- Influence relevant parties in order to effectively communicate the department’s legislative needs
- Apply LEAN concepts, principals and tools used to create and deliver the most value from the customer’s perspective while consuming the fewest resources
- Engage people in continuous problem solving.

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field(s) to the position from an accredited college or university, management experience in a DCS position, experience as a lobbyist.

In-state and out-of-state travel is required. Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.).

As an employee of the Department of Child Safety you will be entitled to a comprehensive benefits package that can become effective as soon as two weeks after starting!

Benefits include:
- Paid sick leave.
- Paid vacation that includes ten (10) holidays per year.
- Competitive health and dental insurance plans.
- Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.

We also offer optional employee benefits that include:
- Vision coverage.
- Short-term disability insurance.
- Deferred compensation plans.
- Supplemental life insurance.
- Employee wellness plans

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.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-255-2903.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.