Job Description

Do you want to use your policy development and research experience to influence Utah\xe2\x80\x99s public policy? If so, please apply for this Research and Policy Specialist position with the Department of Commerce, Office of Professional Licensure Review (OPLR). This position offers benefits from day one , 12 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, and so much more!


** After an initial in-person period, and if eligibility requirements are met, a hybrid telework schedule may be available.


One of your primary duties in this position will be to work with licensing agencies and external stakeholders to develop simplified access to professional licensing for qualified foreign applicants, both refugees and others, who are currently working below their skill level in Utah\'s economy. In so doing, you will help newly arrived Utahns\' gain livelihoods, while building a robust workforce and economy. In this position you will report to the Director of the Office of Professional Licensure Review.


PRINCIPAL DUTIES
Your duties will include but not be limited to the following:

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  Developing a plan for rolling out Utah\'s new foreign licensing pathway for all licensing agencies outside the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
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  Researching licensing requirements for other countries.
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  Coordinating with licensing divisions and agencies (both inside and outside the Department of Commerce) to address applications submitted by foreign-credentialed applicants.
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  Coordinating with similar foreign credentialing efforts within DOPL.
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  Engaging with third-party credential evaluators through an RFI and RFP for services
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  Collaborating with licensing boards, trade associations, international stakeholders groups, and others to best help qualified foreign applicants .
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  Gathering data and information (qualitative and quantitative) related to professional licensing matters identified for priority.
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  Assisting OPLR as needed with ad hoc or urgent licensing policy questions
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  Developing and/or modifying rules, policies, or standards, etc.
• Developing and implementing procedures in response to agency policy, state and federal laws, etc.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Our model candidate will have:

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  Innovative and proactive mindset: thrives in ambiguous situations\xe2\x80\x93able to create and communicate a vision backed by research and data.
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  Relationship building skills: Demonstrated ability to establish trust and create a sense of shared purpose across organizational boundaries, internal and external.
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  Functional Self-Management skills: Works with minimal supervision, manages own time effectively, maintains control over all current projects/responsibilities. Proactively follows up on all relevant issues.
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  The ability to understand and in some cases draft recommended changes to rules, policies, statutes, etc.
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  The ability to speak and present clearly, conveying complex, nuanced research findings important to groups like management, boards, legislators, etc.
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  Sound general research skills, including qualitative methods
• Quantitative data analysis skills (e.g., Excel, Stata, SAS, SPSS, R), and a general comfort with using numerical data to draw conclusions.

PREFERENCES
We may give preferences for applicants with the following:

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  A degree of any level in public policy, public administration, public sector consulting, law, business, management; or, 4 years work experience related to the same fields.
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  Prior experience as a management consultant or policy analyst.
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  Project management experience (work planning, assessing, developing, and tracking).
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  Professional connections or experience working with or assisting members of the refugee and other foreign communities, since these will be the primary beneficiaries of this role.
• Fluency in a second language.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN OUR TEAM
This Research and Policy Specialist will directly influence professional licensing public policy in the State of Utah, especially for New Americans (immigrants and refugees). OPLR\xe2\x80\x99s parent agency, the Utah Department of Commerce, has embarked on a vision to improve professional licensing and support appropriate licensing reform through many valuable initiatives. Commerce is respected for its efforts over many years to improve professional licensing public policy. But in order to respond to changing market conditions and other policy objectives, Utah needs to be better-equipped to meet the need for licensing research and ongoing policy reform. The Research and Policy Specialist will be an important team member in helping to make this happen. To learn more about our Office, click here.


This position is eligible for a rich benefits package, generous paid time off, and great work-life balance. You can learn more about offered benefits here.


AGENCY In addition to the Office of Professional Licensure Review, the Department of Commerce is the licensing and registration agency for Utah\'s professional and business community. We provide oversight of business registrations, trademarks, Uniform Commercial Code filings, consumer protection, public utilities, securities, real estate and residential mortgage lending. You can learn more about the agency by visiting the website.
Supplemental Information

• Job classification: Program Specialist I (#16036)
• DHRM rules apply for promotions/transfers.
• Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA53-3-202(1)(a).
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.