Legislative Research Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview 

The Program Analyst I is a professional analytical position within the Policy & Quality function that supports the development, implementation, interpretation, and revision of Program policies, procedures, and operational guidance. Working under the general direction of senior Policy staff, the Program Analyst conducts policy and legislative research, analyzes operational issues, develops recommendations, drafts policy documents, coordinates policy implementation activities across the organization, and supports family engagement in the policy process. 

The Program Analyst I is expected to exercise sound professional judgment and work with increasing independence while recognizing when collaboration, consultation, or escalation to senior Policy staff is appropriate. The position independently manages assigned work within established policy frameworks while partnering with Senior Program Analysts on more complex, cross-functional, or precedent-setting issues requiring broader organizational judgment. 

This position serves as a key analytical resource supporting consistent policy implementation, organizational learning, and continuous maturation of the Program's policy infrastructure. 

Duties & Responsibilities: 

Policy Development, Research & Analysis 

• Conduct research on statutes, regulations, administrative rules, legislative proposals, and policy issues affecting the Program.  

• Research comparable public benefit programs, healthcare organizations, and best practices to inform policy development.  

• Analyze information from multiple sources and prepare issue briefs, research summaries, comparison tables, background memoranda, and recommendations.  

• Develop, revise, and maintain policies, procedures, operational guidance, and related documentation for assigned policy areas under the general direction of senior Policy staff.  

• Assist in evaluating the operational impacts and feasibility of proposed policy or legislative changes.  

• Research routine and moderately complex policy interpretation questions and prepare recommendations for review, consultation, or approval as appropriate.  

Policy Operations & Implementation 

• Support implementation of newly adopted policies through development of implementation plans, guidance documents, job aids, decision tools, and supporting resources.  

• Coordinate policy review cycles and maintain policy implementation timelines.  

• Assist with developing content for policy related meetings, logistics, meeting management, and documentation including meeting minutes.  

• Maintain the Program's centralized inventory of policies, procedures, guidance documents, and implementation status.  

• Track policy ideas, operational issues, implementation activities, and emerging policy needs.  

• Monitor implementation progress and identify issues requiring consultation or escalation.  

• Assist with development and maintenance of standard operating procedures supporting consistent implementation.  

Legislative & Regulatory Support 

• Monitor legislative and regulatory activity affecting the Program.  

• Track legislative proposals, regulatory deadlines, and implementation requirements.  

• Prepare legislative summaries, background materials, implementation trackers, meeting minutes, and supporting documentation.  

• Assist with preparation of regulatory materials and documentation supporting administrative rulemaking activities.  

• Maintain legislative histories and reference materials for future policy development.  

Operational Support & Policy Interpretation 

• Serve as an analytical resource for assigned policy areas by researching operational questions and developing guidance consistent with established Program policies.  

• Collaborate with operational departments to identify implementation challenges and recommend policy clarifications.  

• Develop FAQs, reference materials, and implementation tools to promote consistent application of Program policies.  

• Document recurring operational issues and identify trends requiring policy clarification or revision.  

• Maintain departmental repositories of policy interpretations, guidance documents, and organizational knowledge.  

Cross-Functional Coordination 

• Coordinate assigned policy implementation activities across operational departments.  

• Track action items, implementation milestones, and follow-up activities associated with policy initiatives.  

• Coordinate policy review meetings and document key decisions and action items.  

• Collaborate with Case Management, Benefits, Finance, Quality, Data, and Executive Leadership to support policy implementation.  

• Assist with preparation of executive briefings, Board materials, presentations, and other supporting documentation.  

Organizational Knowledge & Documentation 

• Maintain organized policy files, implementation documentation, legislative analyses, and historical reference materials.  

• Support document version control and policy lifecycle management.  

• Organize departmental resources to promote consistency, continuity, and efficient retrieval of information.  

• Contribute to the development of departmental tools, templates, and standardized documentation.  

Family-Centered and Trauma-Informed Program Practice 

• Apply a family-centered and trauma-informed lens when conducting research, developing recommendations, implementing policies, and supporting operational improvements that may affect enrolled children and families.  

• Consider how policy changes, operational decisions, and process improvements may impact the continuity of services, accessibility, and overall experience of participating families.  

• Incorporate relevant family feedback, participant experiences, and service delivery considerations into program analysis and operational recommendations when appropriate.  

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify potential impacts of operational changes on families and support implementation strategies that minimize unnecessary disruption while maintaining compliance and operational effectiveness.  

• Balance regulatory requirements, operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement with the Program's commitment to providing consistent, family-centered, and trauma-informed services. 

Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of policies, programs and services for people with physical and developmental disabilities or closely related areas 

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate complex issues and develop practical recommendations.  

• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including excellent technical writing abilities.  

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise, and actionable guidance.  

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.  

• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment while recognizing when consultation or escalation is appropriate.  

• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with executive leadership, Board members, participants and families, Virginia state agencies, healthcare providers, contractors, and internal staff at all organizational levels.  

• Demonstrated adaptability and ability to quickly learn unfamiliar subject matter and respond effectively to changing organizational priorities.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new technologies and information systems.  

Education & Experience:  

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Health Administration, Business Administration, Government, or a closely related field required.  

• Master's degree preferred.  

• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in policy development, policy analysis, program administration, public administration, healthcare administration, or a closely related field.  

• Experience working in government, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, insurance, or other regulated environments preferred. 

• Experience researching, analyzing, and translating complex policy or regulatory information into practical operational guidance.  

• Experience developing policies, procedures, reports, technical documentation, or implementation materials preferred.  

• Experience working with program constituents such as recipients of services or people with physical and developmental disabilities   

Compensation: 

• $58,000 - $85,000 annually   

Virginia Birth Injury is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Virgina Birth Injury does not discriminate in hiring or employment practices based on race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital or family status, national origin, non-job-related disability, or status as a veteran.    

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