Posting number: 14M00000046

Department: Neighborhood & Community Services

Job classification: Policy Advisor*

Posting type: Open

Categories: Human Services

Summary

This position provides advanced policy, analytical, and strategic support to the Director, Senior Policy Advisor, and DCAO. The Policy Advisor develops and recommends implementation of policies, ordinances, standard operating procedures, partnership agreements, and contracts with departmental and city-wide impact. Incumbents advise on policy options and data-driven program evaluation within the Human Services portfolio. This position serves as a primary point of contact for tracking and monitoring departmental progress toward Mayor's Action Plan goals and key performance indicators. Incumbents manage complex cross-functional projects, coordinate with the City Attorney's office and subject matter experts on contract development and make interpretive decisions on behalf of the organization regarding policy implementation and partnership strategies that advance the operational mission of the Human Services portfolio and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.

Incumbents may supervise management, professional, paraprofessional, and support staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.

** This position is considered an Essential Personnel, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions or inclement weather.**

The salary range for this position is $102,000 - $107,000

Examples of duties

TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES: These duties and percentage of time are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

1. Policy Development & Legislative Support (35%)

Supports the development and implementation of ordinances, resolutions, and internal policies and procedures for human services initiatives and legislation.
Prepares policy briefing notes, position papers, and legislative materials that clearly articulate rationales, implications, and implementation strategies. Presents policy recommendations to leadership and stakeholders and supports policy interpretation and implementation across the department.
Coordinates responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in compliance with applicable laws.

2. Data Analysis & Program Evaluation (35%)

Designs and implements data collection methodologies to support evidence-based decision-making. Ensures accuracy and integrity of data used in presentations, reports, and policy development.
Serves as a primary point of contact for tracking, monitoring, and reporting on departmental progress toward Mayor's Action Plan goals and KPIs. Collaborates with Human Services leadership to develop and refine key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with strategic objectives.
Conducts impact assessments and program evaluations to measure program and policy outcomes and inform future program development.

3. Strategic Relationship & Contract Management (30%)

Serves as a subject matter expert, manages key partnerships, and acts as a liaison with City Attorney's office, subject matter experts, consultants, government agencies, and community stakeholders.

Leads development and negotiation of contracts and partnership agreements, coordinating legal review and ensuring compliance with city processes.
Oversees complex, cross-functional projects from initiation through completion.
Develops strategic approaches to advance initiatives, resolve complex challenges, and build productive relationships with external organizations and community partners.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

Human services programs, practices, and community resources
Cross-system and interagency collaboration
Policy development, legislative processes, and FOIA compliance requirements
Project management principles, methodologies, and tools
Data collection methodologies and data management systems
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, etc.)
Electronic databases and related software applications

Skills (some combination of the following):

Managing complex projects and strategic initiatives
Drafting policy documents, ordinances, presentations, and correspondence
Collecting, analyzing, and verifying complex data to inform policy and decision-making
Designing data collection processes and evaluating program outcomes
Developing and managing grants, contracts, and partnership agreements
Communicating technical information clearly to diverse audiences and stakeholders
Applying human services knowledge to program development and service delivery
Negotiating effectively with partners, attorneys, and subject matter experts

Abilities (some combination of the following):

Collect, analyze, and present data to support organizational decision-making
Adapt to changing priorities and guide stakeholders through project or policy transitions
Navigate diplomatically through competing interests, exercise sound judgment, and make timely decisions in complex situations
Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines
Build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders across city government and the community
Think critically and solve problems strategically
Interpret and apply legislative, policy, and regulatory requirements accurately

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public health, human services, public policy, business administration, or directly related field.
A master’s degree in a directly related field is preferred
Six years of progressively responsible related experience
Management and supervisory experience preferred.
An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

None required

Supplemental information

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk; frequently finger, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions; and occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, feel, and grasp. The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

* Internal use: HR Generalist to review.

Policy Advisor

Key skills

About this role

Summary

Examples of duties

Qualifications

Supplemental information