Jobs

Senior Associate, Policy and Advocacy (Two openings)

The Data Quality Campaign (DQC) is a national nonprofit policy and advocacy organization that envisions a world where data policy is used to drive systemic change, economic mobility, and student success. DQC is leading the effort to bring every part of the education community together to empower educators, families, and policymakers with quality information to make decisions that ensure students excel. To realize this vision, DQC works toward three goals:  

1. Increase public understanding of the value of data in supporting the student journey through the P–20W pipeline (early education, K–12, postsecondary, and workforce).  
2. Build the capacity of policy and education leaders to develop trust with communities to ensure data is used effectively.  
3. Ensure that state leaders use the policy levers available to them across P–20W to make data work for students and communities.  

If you want to work with one of the country’s leading education advocacy organizations that supports your passion for helping students achieve their best throughout education and into the workforce, DQC is the place for you. We believe deeply in using data as the vehicle for improving educational outcomes, and we need passionate individuals to champion our mission. Join our team today! 

Position Summary  

This position is grounded in the DQC values of listening and applying what we learn to our work and staying grounded in what is happening now in states, districts, schools, and classrooms, while always looking ahead. DQC Senior Associates are self-starting, dedicated, energized by their colleagues, passionate about education, and love to dive into complex policy topics. They work with colleagues across the organization to achieve goals.  

Who You Are 

• Passionate: you are excited about education policy and the opportunity to propose and communicate new solutions to complex policy problems.  
• Communicator: you develop and convey ideas and positions to diverse groups (e.g., reporters, partners, states, federal government) and internally with peers—both orally and in writing. 
• Collaborator: you collaborate with staff to design and execute projects that contribute to DQC’s expanding knowledge of state policies and practices that make data work for individuals.   
• Innovator: you help DQC think of new ways to approach and execute our work.  
• Relationship Builder: you bring people together effectively and consistently to ensure diverse perspectives and experiences are sought and represented. 
• Adapter: you demonstrate flexibility and can take projects from ambiguous ideas to impactful results. 
• Problem Solver: you elevate opportunities to overcome barriers and challenges. 

Education and Other Experience:  

• DQC values both education and work experiences that demonstrate the ability to lead within the organization.  
• It is likely that someone will find success in a DQC Senior Associate role with a minimum of 8 years of experience, which can include a combination of postsecondary education and full‐time, professional work experience. At least one year of professional work experience must be directly related to this role.   

What You’ll Do  

• Work across a varying and evolving suite of projects that includes conducting policy and practice landscape scans, telling stories about what works across the field, developing internally and externally facing resources, and supporting convenings of state leaders and DQC partners. 
• Identify best practices and recommendations for the field and work with DQC leaders to develop strategies and tactics to advocate for policy changes in pursuit of these best practices.  
• Work with senior members of the team to support DQC partner relationships and meetings by developing meaningful externally facing agendas and presentations.  
•  Keep DQC staff informed by sharing stories about emerging practices and policies that facilitate effective data use across the P–20W pipeline. 
• Prepare self and other team members for effective and results-oriented conversations, both internally and externally. 
• Learn the important players in the education and workforce policy field and support DQC’s strong relationships with national and state-level policy and advocacy organizations. 
• Act as a thoughtful, contributing member of our team who dedicates energy to learning and growing professionally over time. 

Compensation, Benefits, and Hybrid/Flexible Work Environment 

• This position is based in Washington, DC.  
• Starting salary range of $70,000–$85,000, commensurate with qualifications. Your starting salary will be based on the experience you bring that is directly related to this role.  
• We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance; leave; 401k/matching; and professional development that recognizes the importance of work-life balance and is grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• We provide a hybrid work environment, which means that employees should plan to be in the office a minimum number of days per week; however, the expectation is that staff should not be working in the office 100% of the time. We are flexible on working hours and genuinely care about the quality of your work more than the time of day you do it. We ask staff to be available for team meetings and collaboration via technology platforms. 
• Note on Vaccine Policy: DQC has made the safety of our staff and our surrounding community a top priority. As a part of that commitment, DQC has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. This policy states that all DQC employees, interns, and fellows (i.e., DQC staff) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. DQC will require selected candidates to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 prior to extending a job offer. If a candidate has a qualifying medical condition that contradicts a COVID-19 vaccination, a medical exemption form should be requested from Human Resources. 

How to apply  

• Please send resume, cover letter, and list of three references (with email addresses) to employment@dataqualitycampaign.org.  
• Please indicate “Senior Associate, Policy and Research” in the subject line. 
• In your cover letter, explain how your education and work experiences demonstrate how you will contribute to DQC’s mission and strategies, particularly as we build out new strands of work. Specific examples (especially those above and beyond what is included on your resume) are encouraged.   
• Priority will be given to applications received by February 17, 2023. 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement 

The Data Quality Campaign is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability accommodations will be provided, as needed. 

DQC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please email employment@dataqualitycampaign.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. 

Job posted: 2023-01-30