Development Policy Analyst

What Success Looks Like In This Job The Community and Economic Development (CED) Department serves Adams County through an integrated and equitable approach to community planning and investment. The department partners with neighborhoods, businesses, agencies, and others to bring about positive change for Adams County. The departmental divisions include Planning & Development, Economic & Community Vitality, Environmental Programs, Housing Policy & Community Investments, Building Safety, and Permits & Licensing, along with an Administrative Division that provides departmental oversight and coordination. The Development Policy Analyst is based in the Administrative Division and reports to the Development Policy Manager. The position requires the ability to quickly develop and apply substantive knowledge across community and economic development policy areas, including housing, land use, economic development, construction, environmental programs, oil and gas, and licensing. The Analyst must understand the purpose, context, and practical operation of policies within these topical areas; analyze the legal, fiscal, economic, programmatic, operational, and community impacts of proposed policy and regulatory changes; and clearly communicate those impacts to decision-makers and other audiences. This includes developing a working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and evaluating how proposed changes affect local implementation. The position supports the Development Policy Manager with year-round policy research and regulatory analysis and provides additional legislative monitoring, review, and analysis capacity during the legislative session. The Analyst works primarily in a cross-functional environment and establishes effective relationships throughout the organization to support informed policy development and implementation. The ideal candidate will also have a strong background in quantitative and qualitative analysis and data visualization. The successful candidate will be able to identify the data needed to evaluate a policy question, interpret demographic, market, fiscal, economic, geographic, and programmatic information, and translate findings into clear conclusions about policy impacts and implementation choices. The Analyst will communicate complex material through concise professional reports, presentations, dashboards, infographics, maps, and other visual products tailored to County leadership, elected officials, internal subject matter experts, stakeholders, and the general public.Examples of Duties for Success

• Develops substantive working knowledge of assigned community and economic development policy topics and applies that knowledge to research issues, identify relevant data, evaluate alternatives, and inform departmental decisions and priorities.
• Develops methods for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and disseminating information on proposed legislation, regulations, and emerging policy issues to facilitate timely review by departmental subject matter experts.
• Develops infographics, maps, dashboards, charts, and other data visualization products for reports, presentations, and websites to communicate complex policy issues, trends, alternatives, and impacts to a variety of audiences.
• Works closely with the Development Policy Manager, Department Director, and the Government Affairs team to stay abreast of pending legislation and stakeholder activities, taking directions on research, analysis, and engagement needs.
• Uses quantitative, qualitative, fiscal, economic, and spatial data to evaluate policy impacts, test scenarios, identify tradeoffs, and create effective visualizations that support policy decisions and implementation efforts.
• Prepares clear technical and policy reports, briefing materials, dashboards, and presentations that synthesize research, explain policy impacts, and communicate findings and recommendations to internal and external audiences.
• Stays current on emerging legislation, market trends, and best practices in community and economic development.
• Collaborates with other departmental staff, cross-functional project teams, and the Government Affairs team to ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality products to guide policy decisions.
• Monitors and evaluates data visualization efforts to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement and refinement.
• Establishes and maintains positive and effective working relationships across the organization, with other local jurisdictions, and with partner agencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required.

Qualifications for Success

Knowledge of:

• Historical, current, and emerging policy issues in land use, housing, construction, environmental regulation, oil and gas, economic development, and licensing, including the relationships and tradeoffs among these policy areas.
• Legislative processes and procedures at state and local levels.
• Methods for evaluating legal, fiscal, economic, programmatic, operational, and community impacts of public policy proposals, including interpretation of fiscal and economic impact analyses.
• Common methods for quantitative and qualitative research, data and statistical analysis, and data visualization.

Ability to:

• Monitor federal, state, and regulatory activity impacting the County’s work in community and economic development.
• Analyze legislation, regulations, and other policy proposals; identify affected programs, populations, operations, revenues, costs, and implementation requirements; and communicate implications, alternatives, and potential responses to the department and organization.
• Interact with community stakeholders, as appropriate, to understand how potential policy and regulatory changes may affect residents, businesses, partner organizations, and County programs.
• Assist in studies, programs, or special projects related to regional and countywide initiatives.
• Assist in the implementation of CED policies, procedures, or activities due to legislative or regulatory changes.
• Coordinate with other departments and subject matter experts to gather information, validate assumptions, and communicate the programmatic, fiscal, economic, operational, and community impacts of community and economic development legislation and regulations.
• Attend occasional meetings in the evening or on weekends, particularly during legislative session; some travel may be required.
• Work independently under minimal supervision.
• Exercise discretion and handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Maintain a professional demeanor in all interactions and abide by ethical standards for public servants.

Skills required:

• Excellent written, oral, and visual communication skills, including the ability to explain complex policy issues and analytical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience researching and preparing policy and legislative analysis that identifies impacts, alternatives, tradeoffs, and implementation considerations.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS or comparable geographic information system and mapping tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, or comparable data visualization and dashboard tools.
• Experience using IMPLAN or comparable fiscal/economic impact analysis tools.
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, or comparable visual communication tools.

More Qualifications for Success Education and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Urban and Regional Planning, Economics, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field;
• AND three (3) years of professional-level experience in public policy research or analysis and data analytics, including experience evaluating and communicating policy impacts.

OR

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Law, Economics, or closely related field that provides in-depth policy focus on housing, land use, or environmental issues;
• AND one (1) year of professional-level experience in public policy research or analysis and data analytics, including experience evaluating and communicating policy impacts.

Preferred:

• Certificate and/or demonstrated experience in data visualization, GIS, and fiscal/economic impact analysis.

License or Certificate

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain upon hire, a valid Colorado driver’s license.

Background check

• Must pass a criminal background check.

Benefits

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Benefits You Expect:

• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave
• Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Short-Term Disability

Plus some you might not expect:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Wellness programs
• Lactation friendly certified workplace

Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office complies with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act (“JAFA”). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.