Policy Staff Assistant - Job Position

Background on NASWA

The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) is the national organization representing all 50 state workforce agencies, D.C. and U.S. territories. These agencies deliver training, employment, career, and business services, in addition to administering the unemployment insurance (UI), veteran reemployment, and labor market information programs. NASWA provides policy expertise, shares promising state practices, and promotes state innovation and leadership in workforce development.

Brief Position Overview

The Policy Staff Assistant will help NASWA staff: support state agencies in developing and implementing broad-based and specific workforce policies, research policy options and implementation, and develop agendas for and managing NASWA conferences, committee meetings, and special projects. Subject matter covered will include employment and training for unemployment or underemployed Americans, unemployment insurance, veterans’ services, labor market information, and critical agency functional units (equal opportunity, technology, communications, and administration and finance).

Roles and Responsibilities

• Offering general support to NASWA policy staff on day-to-day activities which may include assisting in the management of ongoing and new projects, compiling and organizing project information, logistical planning for committee meetings, researching and writing background papers and articles for the Association's newsletter.
• Supporting the planning and operation of various NASWA national conferences and committee meetings. Such tasks can include but are not limited to preparing meeting materials, mailing materials to meeting sites, assisting with A/V equipment, writing minutes, and performing other routine tasks. Coordinating committee meeting logistics with NASWA Meeting Manager. Meetings may be in-person or via teleconference and webinar.
• Working on special projects including creating searchable databases, developing spreadsheets, gathering data and assisting with preparing reports, maintaining website content, developing charts and graphs for presentations, drafting report sections, and coordinating potential NASWA sub-contractor work.
• Offering recommendations for workflow process improvements.
•  Providing information/assistance to state association members and other NASWA staff members.
• Maintaining confidentiality.

Competencies and Skills

Required

• Knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft office products, particularly Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook
• Fluency in English and the ability to apply rules of composition and grammar correctly.
• Competency in basic mathematics and statistics.
• Strong skills in listening, reading, managing time, learning, identifying problems, and perceiving business and social situations
• Strong interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills
• Ability to set and adjust priorities for competing tasks under the guidance of a supervisor and professional staff in order to perform multiple tasks simultaneously while adhering to deadlines.
• Ability to work in an open office environment as well as with a widely distributed virtual staff.
• Professional demeanor toward colleagues, members of the Association, visitors, guests, callers, and any other individuals contacting the office
• Possess strong oral and written communication abilities with attention to detail and keep errors to a minimum
• Be punctual, reliable, responsible, composed, honest, ethical, able to work both independently and in a team, tolerant of differences and willing to change as required.

Experience and Experience

Preferred

• Relevant experience and an interest in public policy is desired.

Education Required

• Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Job Details

• Location: For those in the Washington D.C. area, the position will be a hybrid of office and remote. For those outside of this area, the position will be remote.
• Reports to: Vice President for Policy and General Counsel
• Position Type: Full-time
• Salary Range: $45,000 to $50,000 annually commensurate with skills and experience
• Benefits: NASWA offers competitive benefits including a generous health care package, 401(k), telecommuting, educational assistance, generous time off, and other great options
• Travel Requirements: Approximately 10 meetings per year. Business travel is voluntary through December 2021.

How to Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to HR@naswa.org. 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

NASWA is an equal opportunity employer. NASWA does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, military status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by federal or District of Columbia law. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all facets of employment, including recruiting, hiring, employment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, compensation, and training opportunities.