Public Policy Advisor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $101,260.00 - $169,100.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 14M00000046
Department: Neighborhood & Community Services
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity...YOU!!!
This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Description
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
Duties include but are not limited to
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, Special Certifications and Licenses
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

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at HR-ADA@rva.gov.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company.
The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.
With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".
The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.
01
5-point veteran's must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following:Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02
10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veteran's widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03
Which answer best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/ GED
• Some college
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's/ Advanced Degree
• None of the above

04
How many years of experience do you have in policy development, policy analysis, and/or development of legislation?

• No Experience
• One to three years of experience
• Three to five years of experience
• Five or more years of experience

05
How many years of experience do you have managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects and initiatives from development and initiation through completion?"

• No experience
• One to three years of experience
• Three to five years of experience
• Five or more years of experience

06
How many years of experience do you have using data-driven analysis to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and/or develop program and policy recommendations?

• No experience
• One to three years of experience
• Three to five years of experience
• Five or more years of experience

07
How many years of experience do you have working in and/or closely with human service nonprofits and agencies?

• No experience
• One to three years of experience
• Three to five years of experience
• Five or more years of experience

Required Question