Education Policy Associate

The Organization

The Commonwealth Foundation (CF) is among the most effective and influential state-based think tanks in the country. With a top-notch team of policy analysts and communication experts, the Commonwealth Foundation transforms free-market ideas into public policies so all Pennsylvanians can flourish. Our research and advocacy have led to lower taxes on working Pennsylvanians, greater transparency in state government spending and contracts, criminal justice reform that reduced both prison population and crime, and increased educational options for thousands of students. Our work is driven by our core values of integrity, treating everyone with dignity, stewardship of our investors’ time and treasure, and pursuing productive solutions to problems.

About the Role

Commonwealth Foundation seeks an Education Policy Associate to support our efforts to expand educational choice to more students while building on our reputation as a leader in education reform.

The Policy Associate contributes to the Commonwealth Foundation’s research, analysis, and outreach efforts in support of educational opportunity and to our work to create greater transparency in public school spending, rules, and outcomes.

This role is ideal for someone who loves educational freedom, writes well, enjoys research and data analysis, and would like to follow public policy developments in the States. The Education Policy Associate may work from CF’s offices in Harrisburg, PA, King of Prussia, PA, or Washington, DC, or virtually anywhere in the US.

Priorities

• Produce high-quality education policy analysis, building our intellectual leadership and policy expertise to advance CF’s policy goals.
• Maintain intellectual expertise in education by tracking and staying current on state and federal policy developments, keeping a close eye on news stories and state legislation, and tracking trends related to educational choice.
• Equip the entire organization with intellectual ammunition to communicate with core audiences, advance policy, and own the narrative around educational opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on education policies, including educational choice and public-school funding, working with policy analysts and outside fellows to produce publications and analyses that support our policy goals.
• Work closely with policy analysts, the Director of Policy Analysis, and the Senior Vice President, providing the intellectual leadership to position the Commonwealth Foundation as the leading voice on school choice and education policy in Pennsylvania.
• Conduct high-quality rapid-fire analysis, often responding to ad-hoc requests, to support our intellectual leadership and provide the tools our team needs to advance policy priorities.
• Help maintain our OpenPAGov database of school funding, performance, and salaries.
• Equip colleagues working in government affairs, media relations, and development with information and materials to communicate effectively with core audiences.
• Maintain intellectual expertise in education by staying current on local, state, and federal policy developments, media coverage, and legislation, including trends related to educational opportunity, outcomes, and funding.
• Write and edit publications—including fact sheets, backgrounders, op-eds, and occasional reports—primarily in the area of education policy.
• Occasionally represent CF in public speaking and media appearances.
• Stay informed about the political environment in Pennsylvania and leverage relevant media and political developments to CF’s advantage.

Key Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in education policy, preferably with a focus on PA education policy, or a willingness to develop an understanding of public policy in PA related to education and school choice.
• Alignment with free-market ideas and a passion to see all Pennsylvanians flourish.
• Ability to work well under pressure and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to think creatively.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position, the mission of the Commonwealth Foundation, and your salary requirements.
• Resume.

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].