Policy/Legislative Specialist
Ripple Effect, Arlington, TX, United States
General Information
Job Code : PRO-PR-04T
Location : Client/Arlington, VA
Employee Type : Exempt, Full-Time Regular
Telework : Partial
Citizenship : US Citizenship Required
Salary Range : $92,565.62 - $106,450.00
Are you passionate about advancing national cybersecurity and infrastructure security priorities through clear, strategic, and analytically driven communications?
Ripple Effect is seeking an experienced Policy/Legislative Specialist to support the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role supports CISA’s mission by analyzing and tracking legislation, supporting congressional reporting and correspondence, and executing strategic communications and media coordination related to cybersecurity and infrastructure security initiatives.
Responsibilities
Legislative Affairs Support:
Support CISA’s Legislative Affairs efforts by tracking, monitoring, and analyzing legislation related to cybersecurity and infrastructure security. Assess the potential impact of legislative proposals and assist in preparing congressional correspondence, briefings, reports, and responses in support of agency priorities.
Strategic Communications Execution:
Independently execute advanced strategic communications projects with minimal supervision. Conduct thorough research and analysis—including stakeholder perspectives, audience insights, and external environment assessments—to inform messaging approaches and communication strategies.
Issue Analysis & Policy Support:
Lead complex issue analysis related to cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and DHS operational priorities. Develop data‑driven insights and recommendations to inform leadership decision‑making and legislative or strategic communications efforts.
Data Analysis & Measurement:
Lead analytical efforts by collecting, interpreting, and synthesizing relevant data—such as engagement metrics, legislative trends, stakeholder activity, and external indicators—to forecast interest, measure effectiveness, and refine strategic approaches.
Documentation & Reporting:
Prepare clear, comprehensive documentation and reports summarizing analyses, findings, and outcomes. Maintain organized records of legislative tracking, communications products, and analytical inputs to support continuity and institutional knowledge.
Regulatory & Contractual Compliance:
Ensure all activities and materials comply with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and DHS policies, including privacy, ethics, and communication standards. Complete all required compliance training and follow established procedures.
Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, International Relations, Homeland Security, or a related field; Master’s (MA or MBA) degree preferred
Minimum of 6 years of demonstrated professional experience supporting legislative analysis, strategic communications, policy analysis, or government affairs
Experience reviewing legislation, regulations, or policy proposals and assessing potential organizational or operational impacts
Ability to obtain and maintain a DHS Fitness Determination
Basic Requirements
Proven ability to summarize legislative content clearly and accurately for non‑technical or executive audiences
Experience supporting the development of written responses, briefing materials, talking points, or correspondence related to legislative or policy matters
Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and identify risks, implications, and opportunities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to accuracy, clarity, and consistency
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and deadlines
Experience working in or supporting federal agencies, government contractors, or highly regulated environments
Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint
Must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for this role
Skills That Set You Apart
Experience supporting DHS, CISA, or other national security or homeland security organizations
Advanced experience assessing the operational, technical, or policy impacts of legislation related to cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, or technology
Strong political acumen and understanding of congressional processes and executive‑branch governance
Experience preparing senior‑level briefings or materials for leadership or external stakeholders
Ability to translate legislative or policy developments into actionable insights and recommendations
Intermediate experience with AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support project management tasks.
Ripple Effect rewards our employees for their contributions to our mission in many ways, from competitive pay and exceptional benefits to a range of work/life programs based on your employment classification and personalized preferences.
Ripple Effect is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, political affiliation, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please let us know by contacting our HR department at HR@rippleeffect.com or your recruiter. Eligibility for employment will be verified using E-verify.
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Job Code : PRO-PR-04T
Location : Client/Arlington, VA
Employee Type : Exempt, Full-Time Regular
Telework : Partial
Citizenship : US Citizenship Required
Salary Range : $92,565.62 - $106,450.00
Are you passionate about advancing national cybersecurity and infrastructure security priorities through clear, strategic, and analytically driven communications?
Ripple Effect is seeking an experienced Policy/Legislative Specialist to support the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role supports CISA’s mission by analyzing and tracking legislation, supporting congressional reporting and correspondence, and executing strategic communications and media coordination related to cybersecurity and infrastructure security initiatives.
Responsibilities
Legislative Affairs Support:
Support CISA’s Legislative Affairs efforts by tracking, monitoring, and analyzing legislation related to cybersecurity and infrastructure security. Assess the potential impact of legislative proposals and assist in preparing congressional correspondence, briefings, reports, and responses in support of agency priorities.
Strategic Communications Execution:
Independently execute advanced strategic communications projects with minimal supervision. Conduct thorough research and analysis—including stakeholder perspectives, audience insights, and external environment assessments—to inform messaging approaches and communication strategies.
Issue Analysis & Policy Support:
Lead complex issue analysis related to cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and DHS operational priorities. Develop data‑driven insights and recommendations to inform leadership decision‑making and legislative or strategic communications efforts.
Data Analysis & Measurement:
Lead analytical efforts by collecting, interpreting, and synthesizing relevant data—such as engagement metrics, legislative trends, stakeholder activity, and external indicators—to forecast interest, measure effectiveness, and refine strategic approaches.
Documentation & Reporting:
Prepare clear, comprehensive documentation and reports summarizing analyses, findings, and outcomes. Maintain organized records of legislative tracking, communications products, and analytical inputs to support continuity and institutional knowledge.
Regulatory & Contractual Compliance:
Ensure all activities and materials comply with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and DHS policies, including privacy, ethics, and communication standards. Complete all required compliance training and follow established procedures.
Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, International Relations, Homeland Security, or a related field; Master’s (MA or MBA) degree preferred
Minimum of 6 years of demonstrated professional experience supporting legislative analysis, strategic communications, policy analysis, or government affairs
Experience reviewing legislation, regulations, or policy proposals and assessing potential organizational or operational impacts
Ability to obtain and maintain a DHS Fitness Determination
Basic Requirements
Proven ability to summarize legislative content clearly and accurately for non‑technical or executive audiences
Experience supporting the development of written responses, briefing materials, talking points, or correspondence related to legislative or policy matters
Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and identify risks, implications, and opportunities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to accuracy, clarity, and consistency
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and deadlines
Experience working in or supporting federal agencies, government contractors, or highly regulated environments
Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint
Must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for this role
Skills That Set You Apart
Experience supporting DHS, CISA, or other national security or homeland security organizations
Advanced experience assessing the operational, technical, or policy impacts of legislation related to cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, or technology
Strong political acumen and understanding of congressional processes and executive‑branch governance
Experience preparing senior‑level briefings or materials for leadership or external stakeholders
Ability to translate legislative or policy developments into actionable insights and recommendations
Intermediate experience with AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support project management tasks.
Ripple Effect rewards our employees for their contributions to our mission in many ways, from competitive pay and exceptional benefits to a range of work/life programs based on your employment classification and personalized preferences.
Ripple Effect is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, political affiliation, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please let us know by contacting our HR department at HR@rippleeffect.com or your recruiter. Eligibility for employment will be verified using E-verify.
#J-18808-Ljbffr