Policy Analyst

Job Description
Description

Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, a fund of the Tulsa Community Foundation, is a nonpartisan team of policy and mental health experts who work to end untreated mental illness and addiction in Oklahoma through large-scale policy and practice transformation. The organization was founded by The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation in 2019.

Since its inception, Healthy Minds has published dozens of pieces of original research and analysis, helped secure tens of millions of dollars in competitive funding for Oklahoma’s behavioral health care system, and initiated more than a dozen community-based partnerships committed to ending untreated mental illness and substance use. Healthy Minds provides data, consultation, and education on best practices to Oklahoma legislators and other leaders committed to improving the mental health of all Oklahomans.

Job Purpose
The policy analyst is a trusted source of knowledge on the nuances of mental health policy issues and stakeholders in Oklahoma, and an effective contributor to both the development of policy solutions and their implementation. This position supports communitywide mental health policy conversations by providing research and analysis, recommending strategies, and engaging with community leaders, policymakers, and advocates. This position reports to the Policy Research & Engagement Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
A successful candidate will demonstrate exemplary research skills, writing ability, and political acumen. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate an ability to learn and explain complex policy concepts and their practical implications for mental health treatment and prevention in schools, criminal justice settings, and treatment systems to multiple stakeholders and audiences.

Responsibilities:

Research, analyze, and evaluate policy issues related to mental health prevention and treatment

Compile relevant research findings in written reports and presentations

Synthesize data and compelling talking points in meaningful, usable documents tailored to specific audiences

Propose changes in response to changing policy, code, or statute including how to evaluate those changes

Work with the Director of Policy Research and Engagement to locate and develop data and research designed to advance policy objectives

Understand the status of the mental health landscape in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma more broadly, including gaps and opportunities at the policy and systems levels

Develop/provide public education, presentations, and outreach regarding mental health issues as needed

Cultivate and maintain relationships with mental health stakeholders, community leaders, and policymakers within specific policy projects as assigned

Create and organize agendas and materials for meetings with stakeholders and partners

Make recommendations on the advancement of key policy issues, including state legislative strategy and systems implementation

Identify and propose creative solutions for addressing gaps and opportunities in mental health services, including national best practices

Manage invitations and attendance for meetings with stakeholders and partners

Provide logistical support for the external outreach activities of Healthy Minds as needed

Other duties as assigned

Requirements and Qualifications
Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred

At least two years of experience in public policy or related field

Familiarity with public health or mental health policy issues

Desired Strengths and Abilities:

Ability to understand public health problems and summarize them in common language

Ability to coordinate and maintain multiple projects and priorities simultaneously

Effective communication to a broad range of audiences; comfortable working with diverse populations and knowledge of a wide subject matter

Ability to reason and solve problems in high-pressure situations; recognize strategic opportunities for systems change; introduce new tactics or approaches that significantly improve or revise existing systems

Results-oriented, takes action, committed to continuous learning and growth

Skilled in facilitating and staffing meetings and developing buy-in

Social skills to navigate interpersonal relationships with policymakers and colleagues

Ability to speak the language of public health and behavioral health, know the challenges and current issues particularly related to mental health needs and services, and approach them with optimism, integrity, and passion for creating real change

Other Skills and Requirements:

Detail-oriented and organized

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Regular and routine presence at an established office in midtown Tulsa or Oklahoma City

Ability to work remotely with internet access

Ability to work regularly from an established office in Tulsa or Oklahoma City during normal work hours

Ability to lift objects under 25 pounds and set up presentations

About Our Benefits
As part of our overall compensation package, we offer work/life flexibility, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and generous retirement contributions designed to support you and your family.

Details:

100% employer-paid medical, dental, and long-term disability for full-time employees only; option to add vision and dependents

401K employee and employer contributions

Paid time off to support you while you are out of the office

Paid holidays so our employees can spend time with those they care about

Employer-paid AD&D life insurance, with employee options to add supplemental life insurance

Apply here