Senior Policy Specialist (50564)

JOB TITLE:                  Senior Policy Specialist
PROGRAM:                  Fiscal Affairs
LOCATION:                  Denver, CO -Hybrid
SALARY:                      $82,020 annually
STATUS:                       Full-time

ABOUT NCSL:
Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four consecutive days every six (6) weeks.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office for four days every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development. 

ABOUT THE ROLE:
If you like tax policy, traveling to exciting places, meeting influential people and sharing your knowledge, this is the job for you! NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs team is seeking an experienced state tax policy analyst. The person in this position will be expected to track legislation and keep up with state tax policy trends to create informational resources for members of NCSL, including legislators, legislative staff and private sector partners. This position staffs NCSL’s standing committee on budgets and revenue as well as a special task force on state tax policy. Work is performed independently and as a member of the fiscal team. Our goal is to meet the information needs of state legislators and legislative staff across the nation. The person in this position will make presentations, write reports, plan and conduct meetings facilitate discussions, testify before legislatures, interact with media and more. This position will report to the director of the fiscal program and oversee task-related work of more junior staff.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Maintain subject matter expertise in state tax policy and trends to assist legislators and legislative staff with their research and information needs.
• Anticipate emerging tax issues and tax trends of importance to state legislatures and responds with research, analysis and training. Assists with the development of a plan to disseminate that work, including but not limited to technical assistance, webinars, meetings, web pages, reports, blogs and others.
• Conduct complex legislative research projects with an understanding of their political context and can provide substantive analysis and policy interpretations to legislators and legislative staff.
• Adept at research on federal, state and local actions that impact the work of legislatures, such as executive and administrative actions and intergovernmental actions.
• Independently plan, organize and conduct nonpartisan technical assistance programs, plan stand-alone invitational meetings and educational sessions at larger meetings.
• Create substantive, engaging and interactive presentations or trainings for legislators, legislative staff and others on state tax issues.
• Together with your DC counterpart, coordinate, manage and facilitate the work of NCSL’s Budgets and Revenue Standing Committee, and the Executive Committee Task Force on State and Local Taxes. This requires working with NCSL members, the NCSL Foundation and private sector partners.
• May assist the director of the program with fundraising and development of new projects, such as assisting with grant reporting and writing concept papers, grant applications and proposals.
• May assist with funder relations and complete high-quality, timely assigned project deliverables, under the direction of supervisor.
• Write skillfully and with minimal need for editing for a full range of publications and participates in peer review editing of colleagues’ work as needed.
• Travel domestically for meetings, technical assistance and other project activities as needed.
• Perform other responsibilities as needed.

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:
Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but may serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT: This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office for four days every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus five years work experience in fiscal policy with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field.
• State tax policy expertise and substantial knowledge of state finances.
• Strong writing, editing and presentation skills and the ability to communicate information clearly and credibly to a variety of audiences.
• Aptitude at working both collaboratively with others and independently.
• Proven ability to independently build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, national experts and others. Will work directly with NCSL Foundation sponsors.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Strong research and analysis skills, including accessing and assessing a variety of resources and research; synthesizing data and legislation; and analyzing and summarizing policy options and legislative activities.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan meetings manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously. Ability to independently work under deadline pressure and adapt to changes in workload.
• Strong knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of power between the branches of government.
• Ability to travel by air up to 8 times per year, with most trips being 1-3 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel.

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE: 
NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days every six (6) weeks.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development.  We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:
If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, June 2, 2026 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/about-us/careers. We look forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.