DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES

Address: 150 N 18th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 58007

Hourly Rate: $15.40-$24.20 (DOE)

Grade: 4

The Legislative Affairs & Policy Intern provides support for the division’s legislative affairs, policy development, and implementation activities. This position supports the division before, during, and following the legislative session by monitoring legislation, conducting policy and statutory research, preparing legislative materials, coordinating internal and external follow-up, and tracking the implementation of enacted legislation.

The position will provide dedicated support for coordinating implementation activities associated with prior-session legislation and will assist with division activities related to Arizona SB 1162 (2026). The position will work collaboratively with division leadership, program staff, and other stakeholders to ensure legislative requirements, deadlines, and implementation activities are appropriately tracked and communicated.

This position is intended to provide meaningful professional experience in legislative affairs, public policy, statutory implementation, and government operations while providing the division with additional capacity to manage time-sensitive legislative responsibilities.

Legislative Monitoring and Session Support:
Monitor legislative activity, including introduced bills, amendments, committee agendas, hearings, floor activity, and legislative actions relevant to the division. Track legislation that may affect division programs, operations, stakeholders, or statutory responsibilities. Conduct legislative and policy research and summarize findings for division staff and leadership. Assist with preparation of bill summaries, legislative updates, briefing materials, talking points, presentations, and other legislative documents. Attend or monitor legislative committee hearings and other proceedings, as assigned. Maintain accurate and current legislative tracking tools and databases.
Legislative Implementation and Coordination:
Track enacted legislation from prior legislative sessions and assist with coordinating implementation activities across applicable division program areas. Maintain implementation timelines, action-item trackers, and status reports for legislative requirements. Identify statutory requirements, effective dates, deadlines, and outstanding implementation activities. Coordinate follow-up with division staff to obtain status updates and identify issues requiring additional attention. Assist with documenting implementation decisions, milestones, deliverables, and outstanding items. Support communication and coordination among program areas to promote consistent and timely implementation of legislative changes. Escalate significant delays, questions, or potential implementation issues to appropriate staff.
SB 1162 (2026) and Priority Policy Initiatives:
Provide research, coordination, tracking, and administrative support related to Arizona SB 1162 (2026). Assist in identifying statutory requirements and implementation activities associated with the legislation. Coordinate information requests and follow-up activities among relevant division staff and stakeholders. Develop and maintain project timelines, issue trackers, meeting materials, and status reports. Conduct research and prepare summaries to support division understanding and implementation of legislative requirements. Assist with preparation of internal and external communications related to legislative implementation, as directed.
Policy Research and Analysis:
Conduct research on legislation, statutes, rules, policies, and related government programs. Review and summarize legislative and policy information from reliable sources. Assist in identifying potential operational or policy implications of legislative changes. Prepare research summaries, briefing documents, charts, presentations, and other materials for division staff. Support development of policy-related recommendations and options through objective research and analysis.
Administrative and Stakeholder Coordination:
Coordinate meetings, agendas, notes, action items, and follow-up for legislative and policy projects. Maintain organized electronic files, legislative records, correspondence, and project documentation. Assist with communications and information requests involving internal and external stakeholders. Provide general project coordination and administrative support for legislative affairs and policy initiatives.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge
● Basic knowledge of the Arizona legislative process and state government operations.
● Knowledge of legislative terminology, bill development, committee processes, and statutory language.
● Basic understanding of public policy development and implementation.
● Knowledge of research methods and information-gathering techniques.
● Familiarity with government agencies, public administration, or regulatory environments.
● Understanding of professional standards for handling confidential, sensitive, or time-critical information.
Skills
● Strong written and verbal communication skills.
● Strong research, analytical, and information-synthesis skills.
● Ability to read and interpret legislation, statutes, policies, and other technical or government documents.
● Strong organizational and project-tracking skills.
● Ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and priorities.
● Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
● Ability to prepare professional correspondence, reports, presentations, and briefing materials.
● Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
● Ability to communicate effectively with individuals at different levels of an organization.
● Ability to maintain accurate records and follow established processes.
Abilities
● Ability to learn and apply complex legislative, statutory, and administrative requirements.
● Ability to work independently while recognizing when issues require escalation or additional direction.
● Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment with changing legislative deadlines.
● Ability to establish effective working relationships with division staff and external stakeholders.
● Ability to identify outstanding actions, deadlines, and follow-up requirements.
● Ability to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
● Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise summaries for various audiences.
● Ability to remain organized and responsive during periods of high legislative activity.
● Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university with coursework or a degree in:
● Public Policy
● Political Science
● Public Administration
● Government
● Health Administration
● Law or Legal Studies
● Business Administration
● Communications
● A related field
Graduate-level coursework or experience in public policy, public administration, healthcare administration, government, or a related field is desirable but not required. Coursework, internship, or prior experience involving legislative affairs, public policy, government, public administration, regulatory affairs, or statutory implementation. Experience conducting legislative, legal, regulatory, or policy research. Experience working with legislative tracking systems or government databases. Familiarity with the Arizona Legislature and Arizona state government. Project management or related training/certification is desirable but not required.

The position requires the ability to work during periods of increased legislative activity and to adjust priorities as legislative schedules, deadlines, and division needs change. The incumbent must be able to maintain accurate information, meet time-sensitive deadlines, and handle sensitive division information appropriately.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

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

● Hands-on skills in  legislative affairs, policy development, and implementation activities.
● Collaboration with a diverse team of professionals.

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 emailing steven.santiago@azdhs.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.