Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst, Inclusive Economy

Reports to: Senior Fellow

Staff reporting to this position: None

Department: Inclusive Growth

Position classification: Exempt, full time; Union - Level 4/5

Minimum compensation: $61,000/$68,000

Worksite: Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)

Summary

American Progress has an immediate opening for a Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst in its Inclusive Growth department. This position will involve work across the organization’s “Building an Economy for All” strategic priority. The Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst will work under the direction of a Senior Fellow to develop and achieve policies that increase economic mobility for workers in the labor market and build sustainable, effective, and equitable workforce systems, policies, and programs.

This position will have a particular focus on the intersections among workforce development, job quality, social safety nets, and the broader labor market. Please specify your relevant background and interest in these portfolios in your cover letter.

The successful candidate will actively collaborate with other American Progress teams, with a particular attention to how workforce and employment overlap with the education, criminal justice, health, and economic inclusion of those who have historically been excluded from high-quality employment, such as women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. Because this work will require a focus on impact, an interest in policymaking and implementation—not just research—is important. Successful candidates will have strong quantitative, analytic, writing, and presentation skills, as well as the ability to work well on a team and in a fast-paced environment.

The Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst will be driven by American Progress’ mission to improve the lives of all Americans, through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action, with the aim of not only changing the conversation, but changing the country. They will join a dynamic team of colleagues to assist in strengthening the team’s policy work and supporting American Progress’ five crosscutting priorities:

• Building an economy for all
• Restoring social trust in democracy
• Advancing racial equity and justice
• Tackling climate change and environmental injustice
• Strengthening health

Responsibilities:

• Conduct policy research on a range of topics related to building an economy that works for all.
• Generate and conduct new quantitative analyses, interpret relevant qualitative and quantitative research, and develop policy ideas to drive American Progress’ mission and goals.
• Write and edit accessible op-eds, articles, briefs, and reports that translate complex policies and analyses into digestible information and policy recommendations for different audiences.
• Develop rapid-response materials, including analyses and talking points, on tight deadlines and review and contribute to comment letters, proposed bills and rules, and other relevant policy procedures.
• Develop and manage projects independently to meet deadlines.
• Interface formally and informally with media, external groups and collaborators, and policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels and their staff.
• Work with other policy teams to review and consult on a broad range of policy areas as they intersect with this position’s expertise and collaborate to develop strategies to ensure that products and messages reach target audiences.
• Work with Advocacy and Outreach department members to develop messaging strategies and actions for relevant policy areas.
• Identify and engage with opportunities to build strong relationships with external collaborators, partners, lawmakers, and other stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements and qualifications:

• Demonstrate an interest and/or prior experience in workforce development, postsecondary and/or apprenticeship models of training, or employer practices around hiring, recruitment, and retention.
• Three to five years of professional experience in policy, government, or nonprofit work is required for the Policy Analyst role; at least five years of experience is required for the Senior Policy Analyst role.
• An advanced degree—such as a Master of Arts, Master of Public Policy, Master of Social Work, or Master of Public Health—or equivalent experience in a public policy, social science, or economics discipline or a specialized policy area— including workforce development, housing, education, or equivalent—is preferred but not required.
• Flexibility as a teammate, with a willingness to work on a wide variety of policies and issues based on the needs of the team, department, and organization.
• Knowledge of and/or strong interest in policymaking and legislative processes.
• Ability to form and maintain strong working partnerships with external collaborators and ability to solicit stakeholder input for product and policy development.
• Strong ability to manipulate, analyze, and critically interpret data, including large secondary data sets. Strong Microsoft Excel skills are required, and comfort using statistical software such as Stata or R—or experience with rigorous qualitative data analysis—is preferred but not required. Experience or interest in working with federal or state workforce or postsecondary data sets would be beneficial.
• Strong writing skills and a proven record of producing written products on a short timeline.
• Strong ability to conceptualize problems and develop research questions, analyses, and policy recommendations.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to initiate projects and balance multiple projects at once.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well on a team.
• Commitment to American Progress’ mission and goals.

American Progress offers a full and competitive benefits package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by IFPTE Local 70. The minimum salary for the Policy Analyst position is $61,000, and the minimum salary for the Senior Policy Analyst position is $68,000.

We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and the levels of community spread and adjust plans as needed for in-office work. Any changes to our current hybrid work policy will be communicated at the time of hire. Updates will be posted on American Progress’ Jobs page.