Senior Policy Associate for Early Learning

The Senior Policy Associate for Early Learning will play a leading role in the organization’s advocacy efforts to ensure children have access to high-quality early learning programs that help them start school ready to succeed. The Senior Policy Associate will be responsible for policy research, data analysis, policy development, and executing advocacy strategies to ensure children of all backgrounds, including emergent bilingual students and students with disabilities, receive the early learning experiences they need. The Senior Policy Associate will report to the Director of Early Learning Policy. The position is full-time and based in Austin in a hybrid work environment.

Texans Care for Children is a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan, multi-issue children’s advocacy organization based in Austin, Texas. We develop policy solutions, produce research, and engage Texas community leaders to educate policymakers, the media, and the public about what works to improve the well-being of Texas children and families.

Texans Care for Children is an equal-opportunity employer. We actively seek to build an organization that reflects the diversity of the population we serve

Responsibilities:

● Monitoring state and federal policy issues and conducting policy research and analysis;

● Identifying policy priorities, developing advocacy campaigns, and implementing legislative and administrative advocacy strategies to improve quality and access to pre-k for 3 and 4-year-olds, early childhood special education for kids with disabilities ages 3-5, bilingual education for young children, and build a strong mixed delivery system in Texas;

● Communicating regularly with community leaders, researchers, school districts, families and other experts to understand the current issues facing Texas young children and families.

● Producing policy briefs, written testimony, presentations, and other policy materials;

● Developing strong relationships and communicating Texans Care for Children’s policy priorities to lawmakers, the public, and the media;

● Collaborating with state advocacy coalitions and regional/local coalitions to implement advocacy strategies;

● Monitoring legislative developments and providing timely analysis and updates to organization leadership and stakeholders;

● In partnership with the Director of Early Learning Policy, developing and assisting with project planning and grant materials for funding partners;

● In partnership with the communications team, developing content for campaigns including videos, blogs, op-eds, social media posts, and other materials, as needed.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

● Bachelor’s degree with a focus on public policy, education, social work, or other relevant field;

● Minimum of six years experience in public policy. A graduate degree may substitute for two years of experience;

● Subject matter expertise on pre-k and early learning environments in Texas;

● Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with initiative;

● Strong writing, research, and data analysis skills;

● Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a diverse group of stakeholders;

● Experience participating in coalitions and developing and executing strategies for moving a policy agenda forward;

● Experience communicating and understanding diverse concerns of people of varied economic, geographic, racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds; and

● Commitment to the mission of Texans Care for Children and passion for improving the well-being of Texas children.

Benefits

Salary and Benefits: Salary range of $65-70,000. Texans Care for Children offers excellent benefits to full-time employees, including:

● Employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance,

● Employer retirement matching contributions, and

● Paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time leave