Policy Analyst

Job Details

Salary: $75,000 – $80,000/year

The policy analyst reports to the director of public policy and will be responsible for shaping and implementing Children’s Aid’s education, youth services and anti-poverty policy and legislative agenda, which includes our community school strategy, at all levels of government.

Position Summary

This individual must be comfortable working in a team setting and will support the agency’s National Center for Community Schools, as well as represent the agency on key education coalitions at the city and state levels.

Essential Duties

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.

Policy & Legislative Strategic Planning & Analysis

• Track, analyze, and synthesize budget, legislative, and policy updates relevant to Children’s Aid, including pertinent city, state, and federal hearings, budget information, and advocacy alerts.
• Co-develop and implement the strategic direction, policy and legislative agenda for early childhood education, K-12 education, and anti-poverty issues.
• Support content development for policy-related communications with Children’s Aid programs, development, marketing and communications, and executive leadership.
• Facilitate and lead cross-divisional internal working groups on key issues.

Research and Writing

• Co-develop organizational policy agenda through research and identification of issues (budget, legislative, or regulatory) in the areas of early childhood education, K-12, and anti-poverty issues.
• Create written materials for budget and legislative testimonies, letters of support, Op-Eds, and other mobilization activities.

Education and Advocacy

• Build and manage key relationships with education-related coalitions and alliances at all levels of government.
• Develop materials that will aid in educating and mobilizing volunteers, parents, and youth on key budget, legislative, and policy issues (e.g., petition collection, letter writing, social media campaigns).
• Coordinate logistics for legislative events (including advocacy days, rallies, testifying at hearings, and legislative visits).
• Build and manage relationships with government agencies and legislators on behalf of Children’s Aid.

Supervision & Training

• Support training on policy and legislative issues with the agency’s youth and families as needed.
• Manage the education policy interns.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Policy-related graduate degree and/or at least three years of experience in policy, research, advocacy, or government.

Key Competencies

• Knowledge of the policy landscape in youth services, anti-poverty, early childhood education, K-12, and/or higher education.
• Experience in managing or coordinating large-scale initiatives with proven results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, creativity, and initiative in problem-solving.
• Ability to travel overnight up to 25% of position time.
• Strong relationships with government agencies and elected officials at all levels are a plus.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) a plus.
• Commitment to and passion for Children’s Aid’s mission and work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Children’s Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and to maintain a work environment free from harassment and discrimination.

Children’s Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including but not limited to race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct prompt and thorough investigations of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violations of this policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action when warranted. Retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or policy violation is prohibited.

Work Environment

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule—whether in-person or hybrid—as determined by the department’s needs to facilitate effective collaboration. This flexibility supports communication, teamwork, and smooth operations. Position requirements are subject to periodic review based on organizational needs and work dynamics.

Legal Disclosures

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights under federal employment laws. For more information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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