Job Description

Description and Functions

Open Until Filled

**Application For This Position Cannot Be Accomplished On This Site.
Following The Directions In The "How To Apply" Section At The Bottom Of This .

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Wyoming Legislative Service Office (LSO), Research and Evaluation Division, is seeking a curious and motivated critical thinker interested in applying analytical skills to public policy issues as a research analyst.

The LSO Research and Evaluation Division conducts non-partisan research on a wide variety of public policies, programs, and State agencies for legislative committees and individual legislators. The Division also serves as the primary staff for the Management Audit Committee and conducts program evaluations of State agency programs to provide legislative oversight and accountability. Research analysts work on projects individually and as members of collaborative teams for committee staffing and program evaluations.

LSO offers an exciting, fast-paced work environment, which culminates in the annual legislative session. LSO staff have the opportunity to become subject-matter experts in specific public policy areas while continuously learning from highly skilled professionals and other stakeholders in the legislative process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed at the job level.

• Conduct independent research and analysis of public policy issues as requested by

legislators and committees. * Prepare objective, concise, and clearly written research memoranda, and reports.

• Staff joint interim committees for the primary purpose of assisting with research of issues and topics assigned for committee interim study. Duties include in-state travel to and attendance of joint interim committee meetings, presentation of research requested by the committee, assistance with meeting setup, live streaming, tear down, and preparation or review of committee meeting minutes.
• Staff standing committees during the legislative session. Duties include providing

support with live-streamed meetings and the recording of committee votes and
amendments. * Develop subject-matter expertise to study issues, conduct research, and author briefs

and reports. * Research and evaluate State agency operations and programs to determine whether agencies are operating effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with legislative intent. This includes the development of original methodologies to answer the stated project objectives.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position is mostly performed in an office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, lift, and carry objects such as document boxes and other equipment, utilize standard office equipment, and travel within Wyoming, including overnight and on weekends. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES:

Preference will be given to candidates with graduate training or work experience in public policy, public administration, applied economics, law, or legislative service.

KNOWLEDGE:

This position requires:

• Interest in the legislative process and a curiosity to learn.
• Strong research skills, including the ability to conduct basic research to develop comprehensive knowledge on a topic and original data-driven research.
• Strong writing skills, including the ability to analyze complex information and summarize the information correctly, clearly, and concisely.
• Ability to effectively work alone and on a team.
• Ability to conduct objective, nonpartisan research on potentially controversial topics.
• Ability to act professionally and perform at a high level in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Ability to travel overnight in-state to legislative committee meetings, as needed.

Preferred knowledge and skills include:

• Knowledge of applied research methods.
• Understanding of the legislative process - in particular, the rules of the Wyoming Legislature.
• Skilled in writing reports on public policy topics.
• Skilled in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Skilled in using open-source statistical software.

EDUCATION:

Education:
Graduate degree in social sciences, public policy, public health, applied economics, law, public administration, or a related field.

OR

Education and Experience:
Bachelor\'s degree with outstanding academic credentials and 3+ years of work experience in public policy, legislative or governmental research.

Necessary Special Requirements

NOTE:

• The salary range for the position is $68,000 - $89,000. The position classification and commensurate starting salary will be determined by the LSO Director based on a successful applicant\'s qualifications and experience.
• All employment with the Wyoming Legislature is at will.
• Travel is required, as necessitated by the committee staffing schedule.
• Employees of the LSO receive many of the same benefits as employees of the State of Wyoming, including participation in the Wyoming Retirement System. For specifics, please see

.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY:

Electronically send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references, to Lily Sharpe, Research and Evaluation Administrator, at .
Availability: Immediate.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

VETERANS: If you are a United States Armed Forces veteran or the spouse of a veteran who was married to that veteran at the time of that person\'s death and receives survivor benefits, to receive veteran\'s preference under Wyo. Stat. Section 19-14-102, you must complete the Veteran\'s Preference section of the Wyoming Judicial Branch At-Will Employment Application and attach Form DD214 to the application.

EEO/ADA. The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

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