Legislative & Special Projects Program Manager

Job Description:

Legislative & Special Projects Program Manager

Description

Job Posting Closes at 11:59PM on:
11/30/25
Division:
Operations Division
Management Level:
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Benefit Eligibility:
This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.

Description:

Jefferson County is seeki ng a n experienced and politically astute Legislative & Special Projects Program Manager . This position report s to the Deputy County Manager and is responsible for overseeing the development, coordination, and implementation of legislative strategies and programs to support all aspects of the County’s state and federal legislative efforts as well as special projects for the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager. This role involves tracking legislation, engaging with policymakers, building coalitions, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and plays a key role in supporting the County’s engagement with policymakers and community partners. This individual excels at building and maintaining positive, productive relationships with stakeholders and is innovative, politically astute, polished, and relentlessly detail oriented.



About Jefferson County:

Jefferson County is the fourth largest county by population in Colorado, located west of the Denver metro area where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains . About two thirds of the county is in the foothills and mountain areas with one third on the plains where most of the county’s 580,000 residents live.

Jeffco serves as both an administrative arm of the state government and as a unit of local g overnment. Overseeing Jefferson County are three County Commissioners. Each c ommissioner is elected by residents for a four-year term. Commissioners serve as policymakers for land use, roads and bridges, parks and open space, public assistance , and intergovernmental services. The Board of County Commissioners appoints the County Manager who oversees a leadership team comprised of Department Directors .



SCHEDULE :

This schedule typically operates on a 10-hour workday, 4 days a week. This position is hybrid, with the option to work some hours remotely after the 6-month training period. Occasional off-hours and weekend work will be required as needed as legislative sessions and legislators’ schedules d emand . Remote work arrangement is subject to supervisor approval and shall comply with Jefferson County’s Remote Working Policy.

COMPENSATION :

Hiring Range : $88,000 - $1 25 ,000 USD Annual

Compensation will be determined based on education, experience and skills.

BENEFITS :

Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, remote work options and more . For more information, click Here for our Total Rewards summary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Oversee the development and administration of the County’s legislative program. Gather input from Commissioners and County leadership to craft a comprehensive legislative and lobbying strategy. Provide leadership and oversight for ongoing communication and evaluation of proposed state and federal legislation. Advise on strategies to advocate for or amend legislation as needed, and manage consultants to effectively implement the County’s legislative agenda.

• Monitor and interpret legislative and regulatory developments. Maintain current knowledge of the evolving legislative landscape, including changes at the state and federal levels. Attend relevant professional meetings, conferences, and trainings to stay informed of emerging issues and best practices.

• Develop and lead initiatives to shape legislative and regulatory priorities. Identify opportunities to propose, support, or amend legislation and regulations affecting the County. Assess potential impacts, build consensus among stakeholders, and recommend actions to advance County objectives . Evaluate program effectiveness and implement improvements where necessary.

• Maintain systems and processes for legislative tracking and communication. Oversee tracking tools for legislation and regulatory changes, ensuring timely dissemination of updates to stakeholders. Foster innovative approaches to legislative monitoring and analysis, and identify resources to enhance existing efforts. Prepare regular reports, briefings, and policy updates for leadership and the Board of County Commissioners.

• Represent the Jefferson County’s legislative strategy and priorities. Serve as a liaison to other jurisdictions , legislators, and external partners. Collaborate with governmental and community organizations to ensure coordinated efforts and effective use of shared resources. Participate in committees and task forces to promote Jefferson County’s legislative objectives .

• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships. Establish strong, collaborative relationships with county staff and outside agency staff to advance the County’s legislative, regulatory, and public policy goals.

• Communicate progress and outcomes. Communicate with county leadership on progress made towards our goals and programs. Coordinate public communications activities for articles on a website, Engage Jeffco, J.E.N. newsletters, and other promotional materials and publications.

• Lead and support special projects and initiatives. Assist with and lead special projects, develop methods for improving county systems and implementing best practices. Oversee important county initiatives.

• Assist in policy formulation and implementation. Assist with the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures to align with the goals and objectives of the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager, and Elected and Appointed Officials. Identify and create strategies for implementing policies that support county priorities. Ensure policies reflect best practices and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Provide direction and support to staff involved in initiatives.

• Perform o ther duties as assigned in support of the County’s legislative, regulatory, and strategic objectives .

QUALIFICATIONS:

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s d egree in Public Administration , Political Science, Public Policy, Communications , or related field
• Plus, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public policy or intergovernmental affairs.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills; adept at critical and strategic thinking with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Deep understanding of government processes and outreach at the local, state, and federal levels, including experience working with elected officials, executive leadership, policy staff, or campaign representatives.
• Proven ability to research, analyze, and interpret complex legislative or policy issues to inform recommendations and decision-making.
• Demonstrated success building and maintaining productive relationships with government agencies, community organizations, and stakeholder coalitions to advance shared goals.
• Proficiency in legislative tracking systems, databases, and Microsoft Office Suite, with strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Proactive and ethical professional with a strong commitment to public service and alignment with the mission and vision of the County.

Additional Job Information:

• Criminal History and MVR Background Checks are required for every position.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references.
• A valid Colorado driver’s license is required for positions that drive on County Business in either a county or personal vehicle shall have a Colorado Driver’s license within 30-days of hire or beginning to serve as an intern or volunteer.
• All Jefferson County Employees must apply through their internal profile.

Accommodations Statement : We encourage people with disabilities to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. For assistance with applications, interviews, or other hiring-related accommodations, contact careertalent@jeffco.us . This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot provide application status updates.

Application Requirements:

• A resume and cover letter that summarizes your experience in stakeholder engagement, communications, public affairs, or policy analysis , including the number of years and primary areas of responsibility should be included with your application.
• Please be prepared to provide a writing sample in the form of a policy statement or position paper on state or federal legislati ve issues as part of your submission for the role.
• In any materials you submit , you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

HOW TO APPLY :

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately . All applicants must submit an online employment application by 11:59PM on the posted cut-off date. Follow this link to apply now: Jefferson County Colorado Career Opportunities



A resume and cover letter submitted with your application are encouraged but will not substitute for the information requested on the application . Applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications listed in the qualifications section of the job bulletin, and applicants are contacted directly by the hiring team if selected . To view the status of your application, please log into your candidate portal .



For more details on the recruitment process, please visit: https://www.jeffco.us/1860/FAQs

Questions? Contact the Jefferson County Recruitment Team at 303-271-8420 or CareerTalent@Jeffco.us

Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Experience:
Work Experience: Minimum five years

Certifications:

Languages:

Category:
Administrative, Business Programs and Services