Policy Staff Assistant

National Association of State Workforce Agencies

May 22, 2023

Background

The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) is the national organization representing all 50 state workforce agencies, D.C. and U.S. territories. These agencies deliver training, employment, career, and business services, in addition to administering the unemployment insurance (UI), veteran reemployment, and labor market information programs. NASWA provides policy expertise, shares promising state practices, and promotes state innovation and leadership in workforce development.

Overview of Position

The Policy Staff Assistant will help NASWA staff: support state agencies in developing and implementing broad based and specific workforce policies, research policy options and implementation, and develop agendas for and managing NASWA conferences, committee meetings, and special projects. Subject matter covered will include employment and training for unemployment or underemployed Americans, unemployment insurance, veterans’ services, labor market information, and critical agency functional units (equal opportunity, technology, communications, and administration and finance). This is an entry level position.

Roles and Responsibilities

Offering general support to NASWA policy staff on day-to-day activities which may include assisting in the management of ongoing and new projects, compiling and organizing project information, logistical planning for committee meetings, researching and writing background papers and articles for the Association's newsletter.
Supporting the planning and operation of various NASWA national conferences and committee meetings. Such tasks can include but are not limited to preparing meeting materials, mailing materials to meeting sites, assisting with A/V equipment, writing minutes, and performing other routine tasks. Coordinating committee meeting logistics with NASWA Meeting Manager. Meetings may be in-person or via teleconference and webinar.
Working on special projects including creating searchable databases, developing spreadsheets, gathering data and assisting with preparing reports, maintaining website content, developing charts and graphs for presentations, drafting report sections, and coordinating potential NASWA sub-contractor work.
Offering recommendations for workflow process improvements.
Providing information/assistance to state association members and other NASWA staff members.
Maintaining confidentiality.

Competencies and Skills

Required

Knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft office products, particularly Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
Fluency in English and the ability to apply rules of composition and grammar correctly.
Competency in basic mathematics and statistics.
Strong skills in listening, reading, managing time, learning, identifying problems, and perceiving business and social situations.
Strong interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills.
Ability to set and adjust priorities for competing tasks under the guidance of a supervisor and professional staff in order to perform multiple tasks simultaneously while adhering to deadlines.
Ability to work with a widely distributed virtual staff.
Professional demeanor.
Possess strong oral and written communication abilities with attention to detail and keep errors to a minimum.

Experience

Preferred

Demonstrated interest in public policy is desired.

Education

Required

Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Job Details

Location: This is a remote position with occasional travel.

Report To: Vice President for Policy and General Counsel

Term: Full Time

Salary Range: $45,000 to $50,000 annually commensurate with skills and experience.

Benefits: NASWA offers competitive benefits including a great health care package, 401(k) with a generous company contribution, educational assistance, plentiful time off, and other great options.

Travel: Approximately 4-6 meetings per year.