Senior Policy Analyst, Early Childhood Education

New America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States. The Education Policy Program uses original research and policy analysis to solve the nation’s critical education problems, serving as a trusted source of objective analysis and innovative ideas for policymakers, educators, and the public at large.

New America’s Early and Elementary Education Policy program seeks a senior policy analyst who will work to help ensure that all children have access to a system of high-quality early learning opportunities from birth through third grade that prepare them to thrive in school and in life. The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing priorities and key projects for the Early and Elementary Education Policy program. The senior policy analyst will lead research projects to identify policy solutions and effectively communicate those solutions to policymakers, educators, the media, and other key audiences. The senior policy analyst should bring to the role a mix of analytical, communication, and project management skills. They must be a strong researcher and writer who is able to synthesize complex bodies of knowledge for policymakers and the public. The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, entrepreneurial, committed to creating more equitable early childhood outcomes, and able to help form new ideas in early education policy.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research projects to identify promising approaches and policy solutions for a wide array of policy issues across the birth through third-grade continuum. Use evidence of effective programs to develop new policy proposals and recommendations.
• Analyze federal, state, and district education policy and its intersection with the needs of our youngest learners.
• Author, edit, and assist in publishing policy briefs, reports, and other documents for the general public, policymakers, media, and other stakeholders.
• Regularly contribute content to New America’s education blog and digital magazine.
• Plan in-person and virtual events including webinars, panels, conference presentations, convenings, and symposia.
• Present at external events and meetings on behalf of the Education Policy Program.
• Contribute to new project development.
• Assist with funder development and grant management.
• Coordinate a variety of projects that may involve internal staff and external partners.
• Develop relationships with other organizations and experts working on similar issues.
• Conduct interviews with people in the field to inform research. Plan and conduct research site visits.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Commitment to educational equity.
• Commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• At least 5 years of professional early care and education policy and/or research experience required. Additional experience working in local or state government early learning offices, early childhood advocacy, and/or other early childhood education settings preferred. Experience working on policy related to child care, Head Start, or pre-kindergarten preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of early care and education policy issues, particularly those related to quality improvement, workforce, and system building.
• A master’s degree in education policy, public policy, or related fields, or an equivalent level of knowledge and experience.
• Strong qualitative research and data analysis skills are required.
• Strong writing and editing abilities that span a variety of different styles and audiences: blog posts, in-depth policy research, opinion journalism, and more.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely to diverse audiences in in-person and virtual environments.
• Advanced project management skills and excellent organizational skills. Ability to prioritize work and manage time on multiple projects and tasks to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a hybrid work setting.
• Very strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including all levels of staff and external partners. 
• Creativity to identify what new projects are needed to advance the work, take advantage of policy windows, and meet the needs of the early care and education field.
• Experience with fundraising or managing grants.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Curiosity, eagerness, and ability to develop new knowledge and skills.
• Some travel may be required.

Location: This is a hybrid position with approximately two to three days per week in a physical office environment in Washington, DC.

Compensation and Benefits: This position is a full-time role with benefits. The annual salary range starts at $77,580.00, depending on experience.  New America offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes health care, dental, and vision coverage; a generous retirement plan; paid time off; observes all federal holidays; and an office-wide closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Application Process:

Please submit your resume, a cover letter, a list of three references, and a writing sample of no more than 2,000 words. Writing related to early care and education policy preferred. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

No phone calls or emails will be answered

Operating status and Vaccine Policy:  New America has made the safety of our staff and our surrounding community a top priority. As part of that commitment, New America staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. New America will require all staff to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in the DC office. We consider requests for medical or religious accommodations.

Work Environment:

The work environment is in an indoor office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets

New America is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our clientele, our employees, and our communities. We value and encourage the contributions of our employees and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination. This is a bargaining unit position.