Senior Policy Associate, Early Learning

Children Now is a nonpartisan umbrella research, policy development, and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting children’s health, education, and well‐being in California. Children Now also leads The Children’s Movement of California, a grassroots network of more than 5,600 parent, youth, business, labor,  civil rights, faith, and community‐based organizations, as well as thousands of individuals, working together to make children a top priority in public policy. Learn more at https://www.childrennow.org/

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and highly motivated Senior Policy Associate to support Children Now’s ongoing policy development and advocacy efforts to ensure that all children in California have access to well-funded, impactful, coordinated early learning opportunities from birth through early elementary school. Specifically, this position will focus primarily on infant and toddler child care, and will also support other early learning projects, including preschool, transitional kindergarten, and early elementary school. Given California’s richly diverse and complex young child population, the analysis and policy recommendations must reflect a deep understanding of historic and present systemic barriers created by institutional racism and center racial equity within the proposed early learning systems policies that impact young children and their families. In addition, understanding relevant dual language learner, immigration, and refugee policy, as well as the implications of poverty, are essential to developing coherent, relevant policies in early childhood for the state of California. This is a full-time position reporting to the Chief Learning Officer and Senior Managing Director, Early Childhood. The position is based in Sacramento or Oakland; some travel throughout the state and outside of California will be required.

While candidates may have strengths and experience in certain areas outlined above and less skill or experience in others, the expectation is that one is open and willing to learn and address gaps effectively. Candidates should be positive and solution-oriented, with a high level of integrity, strong work ethic, a deep commitment to racial equity, and a firm belief in Children Now’s mission to improve the health, education, and well-being of all children.

Primary Responsibilities

• Under the primary supervision of the Chief Learning Officer and Senior Managing Director Early Childhood and in collaboration with Early Childhood and Education colleagues, support goal development and strategies to advance Children Now’s comprehensive early childhood and early elementary school policy agenda;
• Review and analyze local, state, and federal policies impacting the infant and toddler child care/early learning landscape including early learning provider landscape, workforce development strategies, infrastructure needs and alignment with TK-12;
• Develop written analysis, policy briefs, fact sheets, email updates, social media posts for policymakers, researchers, partners, coalitions, other organizations and funders to effectively convey complex data, policy, and research issues in early learning.
• Working with Children Now’s Policy, Government Relations, Communications, Children’s Movement, Research and Development teams to develop additional effective materials and content to further project goals, organization-wide projects, and support fundraising activities;
• Represent Children Now in advancing policy solutions and build relationships with state, regional and community-based organizations, networks, coalitions and workgroups; state agency working groups; and policymakers and their staff;
• Testify before policy-making bodies and make presentations at meetings and conferences to advance policy and systems change efforts and to support engagement efforts of The Children’s Movement of California;
• Conduct engagement efforts for specific informational or advocacy campaigns at the state, regional and local levels, including fast-paced, quick turn-around campaigns related to specific policy opportunities

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a relevant field, focused on policy analysis, advocacy, research and writing, familiarity with California’s political system, legislative, budget, and administrative processes relevant to early childhood and early learning;
• A love for getting in the details of policy, research, analysis, and using persuasive written and verbal communication with those with varying levels of expertise on an issue;
• Experience developing policy briefs and fact sheets, reflected in your work history
• Experience working with coalitions and policymakers;
• Ability to develop strong and effective working relationships with diverse and multi-racial and multi-cultural constituencies ranging from Children Now staff to government officials, to statewide coalitions and networks, to civic and community-based organizations;
• Deep knowledge of early learning systems, including child care, preschool, transitional kindergarten and early elementary school, and policies, though similar level of expertise in an aligned or similar area will be considered; knowledge of health, social service and other early childhood systems and policies highly valued;
• Effective multi-tasking abilities and strategic and efficient time management skills;
• Excellent project management abilities, including effective written communication, and the ability to lead early planning and strategy development, incorporate a wide range of contributions of colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, and manage multiple components and various stages of implementation;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Highly flexible with a positive attitude and a willingness to take on a range of assignments and to support multiple projects according to priorities;
• Strong skills in the areas of technology (including MS Office), research, analysis, and the use of social media; and
• Graduate degree in public policy, education policy, public administration or related field is preferred; equivalent experience also considered in lieu of a graduate degree.

Compensation

The salary range is $80,000 to $95,000 for this position. Please also review our generous benefits package.

Application Process

Please complete the online application form. All applicants must attach the following as part of their online application: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, 3) and a two-to-three-page writing sample. Please submit attachments in PDF or Microsoft Word format only.

We do not accept phone inquiries regarding the position; please do not call. Position open until filled.  

Children Now is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to staff diversity. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Children Now COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

The health and safety of our employees is our number one priority. Thus, Children Now has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy covering all employees. To be compliant with this policy, all new staff members shall be required to provide proof of their vaccine status at the start of their employment, unless a reasonable accommodation is requested and approved.