STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Communications & Legislative Program Manager

Hybrid

Recruitment #220701-3242MP-001

Introduction

Are you an experienced professional who would like to “make a difference” in your career? 

Do you have the desire and the ability to help improve and modernize state government? 

Do you want to join the State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services (DAS
in its efforts to transform how state government functions and services the citizens of Connecticut? 

If so, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity! 

DAS has wide-ranging administrative responsibilities in state government, including the function of the state’s information technology infrastructure, design and construction of state facilities, provision of statewide human resources, procurement of goods and services for public purposes, collection of debt owed to the state, enforcement of building and fire codes, oversight of school construction grants to municipalities, among many other functions.

DAS seeks an experienced professional to join its Legislative & Communications teams to perform the following responsibilities:

  • Assisting in the operations of the agency’s legislative program, including:
  • Drafting proposed legislation, testimony and related documents;
  • Tracking, analyzing and monitoring legislation;
  • Advocating on behalf of DAS and the administration regarding legislative proposals being considered by the General Assembly;
  • Drafting and revising regulations to implement legislation;
  • Representing DAS on gubernatorial, legislative and inter-agency task forces and commissions;
  • Reviewing and responding to Freedom of Information Act requests;
  • Serving as a direct contact point for legislators and their staff and for news media;
  • Developing and managing public-facing messaging (e.g., press releases, webpages, postings, electronic correspondence.)
  • Assisting with the agency’s social media efforts;
  • Drafting external talking points; 
The candidate selected for this role must be able to clearly articulate goals and objectives and effectively engage with a wide variety of constituents at all levels and will be required to develop excellent working relationships with legislators, constituents and other stakeholders as a representative of DAS. In addition, they must be able to prioritize work and handle multiple assignments and duties simultaneously, adjusting as required due to business needs.

Benefits: We provide limitless opportunities; we hire for diversity and new perspectives and we accomplish meaningful work while maintaining a work/life balance. We also participate in a competitive benefits package with comprehensive healthcare policies including medical and dental coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off and more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees!

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee! 
           

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
After You Apply: 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
  • At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 
  • If have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact faith.macdonald@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for managing the development and implementation of various programs in one or more of the following areas: legislation, regulations and/or agency communications/educational activities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Directs programs and operations related to agency internal and external audiences, regulation and legislation development and evaluation activities; directs activities related to educating the public regarding agency responsibilities and operations; formulates program goals and objectives; develops or assists in development of related policy; interprets and administers pertinent laws; prepares or assists in preparation of program budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of agency who might impact on program activities; researches and advises agency staff on matters pertaining to legislation, regulations, communication, education and administrative policy; prepares draft policy statements for incorporation into proposed legislative bills; monitors progress of agency-sponsored legislation as well as other legislation that will impact the agency; analyzes the impact of legislative proposals being considered by the General Assembly; writes and revises regulations to implement legislation, improve procedures and generally facilitate agency operations; serves as a communications/educational liaison; develops and implements communication/educational programs; explains complex and technical laws and regulations in language understandable to lay persons and officials; prepares reports; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of legislative process; knowledge of communications methods and techniques of public information and training; considerable interpersonal skills, considerable oral and written communication skills, considerable ability to read and interpret legislation, regulations proposals and reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, in-service training or adult education and/or coordinating legislative activities including the preparation, analysis and research of legislation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
2. A Master’s degree in communications, political science, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. A law degree from an accredited school may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience drafting legislation and legislative testimony. 
  • Experience with advocating at the legislature. 
  • Experience drafting regulations. 
  • Experience maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders. 
  • Experience writing press releases and statements. 
  • Experience working with the media. 
  • Experience producing work meeting competing deadlines. 

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.