Senior Policy Analyst, Energy and Agriculture

JOIN OUR MISSION

This is not simply a research role-it is a position that directly supports the policymakers shaping the future of the South. The Senior Policy Analyst advances CSG South's mission by delivering timely, credible, and nonpartisan policy research that informs state leaders and strengthens collaboration across our 15 Southern states. Working closely with the Director of Policy, Programs, and Strategic Partnerships and colleagues across the organization, the Senior Policy Analyst helps ensure policymakers have access to high-quality analysis, relevant data, and practical insights. If you are motivated by rigorous research, meaningful engagement with public officials, and contributing to solutions that strengthen state government, we invite you to join our team.

Policy Expertise Areas: Energy, Environment, Agriculture, and Rural Development

WHO WE ARE

The Southern Office of The Council of State Governments (CSG South) empowers and elevates public servants across the 15 Southern states. Through policy innovation, leadership development, and regional collaboration, we equip leaders to serve their constituents with excellence. We live out our core values in all that we do:

• Servant's Heart – We lead by serving others.
• Ambitious – We set bold goals and pursue them relentlessly.
• Adaptable – We respond to challenges with innovation and agility.
• Accountable – We honor commitments and own our outcomes.
• Credible – We earn trust through excellence and integrity.

1BPOSITION SUMMARY

CSG South seeks a highly organized and collaborative Senior Policy Analyst to support the organization's policy research, analysis, and member engagement work. This position plays a key role in ensuring policy deliverables are well organized, completed on time, and aligned with CSG South's standards for quality, credibility, and nonpartisanship. The Senior Policy Analyst manages multiple research projects, publications, and program responsibilities simultaneously-maintaining clear timelines, coordinating internal efforts, and ensuring policy products and member services are delivered with consistency and excellence. The Senior Policy Analyst also builds and maintains strong relationships with state policymakers, legislative staff, and external partners, serving as a trusted resource for policy information while contributing to collaborative work across the organization. Through strong organization, thoughtful analysis, and disciplined execution, this role helps ensure CSG South consistently delivers meaningful policy insights and high-quality experiences for its member states.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Research & Analysis

• Leads two standing committee(s) – and task forces or interim committees, as needed.
  • Committees: Energy and Environment; Agriculture and Rural Development
• Produce written policy deliverables, including issue briefs, research reports, and other analyses supporting committee work and organizational initiatives.
• Tracks and monitors relevant policy and state-level news for four states within the CSG South region, as assigned, and works with colleagues to track regional and national news and trends.
• Monitor regional and national policy developments in collaboration with colleagues across the policy team.
• Respond to policy and research inquiries from members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
• Prepare, interpret, and analyze surveys and other research instruments used to collect policy information.
• Maintain a consistent commitment to nonpartisan policy research and analysis in all deliverables and member engagement activities.

Member Engagement & State Outreach

• Build and maintain relationships with state policymakers, legislative staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Travel to member state capitols with the CSG South team as assigned and participate fully in state visit planning and execution to strengthen relationships, support policy engagement, and promote CSG South programs and services.
• Maintain a network of government and external policy contacts to support research and member services.
• Present research f