Job Description

Research Consultant I - DMV

FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Salary – $25.22 - $42.22 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid

Recruiter – Shannon Hughes | shughes@utah.gov | 801.297.3853
Application Deadline – 8/16/2026*

*This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Key Responsibilities

In this position, you will focus on relevant legislation for the Motor Vehicle Division. With the direction of the Division Director, you will track legislation affecting the Division, attend legislative update meetings during the session, observe relevant committees and floor time, and provide post-session analysis of legislative changes. You will then help with the implementation of the new legislation. Throughout the year you will also help with other projects as assigned.

Day-to-day responsibilities of this position:

• Monitor, track, and analyze proposed legislation, Utah Code, and administrative rules affecting the Motor Vehicle Division throughout the legislative session.
• Attend legislative hearings, committee meetings, and floor sessions to provide updates and represent the division’s interests.
• Prepare and present post-session legislative analysis, including detailed reports on statutory changes and their operational impacts.
• Evaluate the fiscal, operational, and technological impacts of new legislation on the division, including revenue and budget adjustments, personnel requirements, and IT/system infrastructure (e.g., VADRS).
• Coordinate the implementation of new laws, including the revision of DMV Policy and Procedure Handbooks, form redesigns (e.g., TC-656), and website updates (e.g., fee estimators).
• Write and draft technical reports and briefing materials, on research findings for presentation to the Division Director and others within the agency.

Qualifications

Minimum or "day-one" qualifications:

• Deductive & Inductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general laws and administrative rules to specific DMV scenarios, as well as the capacity to combine seemingly unrelated information to draw accurate conclusions about legislative impacts.
• Complex Problem Solving: Identifying operational challenges within new legislation and reviewing related information to evaluate options and implement effective solutions.
• Mathematical Reasoning & Number Facility: Essential for performing fiscal impact analyses, developing cost allocation plans, and ensuring accuracy in data reporting.
• Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong, or is likely to go wrong, such as identifying potential pitfalls in a new legislative mandate before implementation
• Written Comprehension & Expression: Required for reading and understanding complex statutes and for drafting technical reports, briefing materials, and updated policy handbooks that are clear to others.
• Oral Comprehension & Expression: Necessary for listening to information during legislative sessions and committee meetings, and communicating findings or representing the division’s interests clearly to leadership and legislative bodies.
• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what others are saying during meetings, understanding the points being made, and asking appropriate questions to clarify legislative intent.
• Computers & Electronics: Proficiency with applications and software necessary for research, data collection, and system-related impact analysis (such as analyzing impacts on VADRS or other agency systems).
• Policy & Regulatory Application: The capability to interpret, clarify, explain, and apply agency policy, business practices, and state/federal laws to the daily operations of the Division of Motor Vehicles.
• Proficiency with all applications within the Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Etc.)

Other Requirements
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.

About the Role

Location –
210 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84134
United States
Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency
For more information tax.utah.gov

EEO Statement
The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.