Who We Are
The Learning Policy Institute (LPI) is a national organization that conducts and communicates independent, high-quality research to shape education policies and improve learning for each and every child. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, LPI connects policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels with the evidence, ideas, and actions needed to strengthen the pre-k to grade 12 education system and address the complex realities facing public schools and their communities. Working with policymakers, researchers, educators, community groups, and others who care about improving public schools, the Institute advances evidence-based policies that support empowering and equitable learning for all children with a focus on students the furthest from opportunity. For more information, visit www.learningpolicyinstitute.org
The Position
LPI seeks a full-time Senior Policy Advisor to join its team of policy, research, and communication staff in advancing the organization’s evidence-based policy efforts at the federal and/or state levels across multiple education policy areas. This position is based in our Washington D.C. office.
The Senior Policy Advisor, in collaboration with the Policy, Research, and Communications teams, will (1) play a key role in the development and execution of LPI’s federal and state evidence-based policy outreach, identification of policy opportunities, and policy engagement strategy; (2) support and advance efforts to inform policy communities in the development and implementation of evidence-based education policies and practices; and (3) cultivate and maintain trusted relationships with relevant stakeholders in the federal and state policymaking arenas, as appropriate, including bipartisan policymakers, civil rights and advocacy organizations, and state-facing member organizations. The Senior Policy Advisor will work closely with LPI’s Director of State Policy and Deputy Director of Federal Policy and other members of the LPI’s Policy Team. The successful candidate will bring deep policy advocacy and/or government experience and expertise—including familiarity with research and a commitment to evidence-based policy—in one or more of the following education policy areas:
- Educator Quality
- Whole Child Education
- Equitable Resources and Access
- Performance Assessment
- Early Care and Education
Major Responsibilities
- Perform policy analysis, develop policy recommendations that are well-grounded in educational research, and advance evidence-based policies that are aligned with LPI’s policy priority areas. This includes developing written policy briefs, statements, public comments, letters, and memoranda that summarize, interpret, and apply research for a range of audiences, for informing, monitoring, and reporting policy and research conversation across government, media, think tanks, academia, and advocates.
- Review, analyze, and draft bill, report, regulatory, and guidance language, as well as the supporting translational materials related to content areas of expertise.
- Advise on, develop, and implement strategies for policy outreach, education, collaboration, partnership, and advancement among policymakers and education stakeholder organizations, including responding to and generating requests for information.
- Understand federal and/or state (as appropriate) legislative, executive, and administrative processes and procedures and how to effectively use these processes and procedures for policy advancement.
- Identify opportunities for policy advancement, including identifying policy champions, and the political considerations that must be taken into account.
- Establish, maintain, and cultivate trusted strategic and bipartisan relationships with legislative and administrative staff, and with education stakeholder organizations.
- Conceptualize and develop tools and resources that make complex research and the policy implications accessible and actionable to a broad array of stakeholders in order to inform the development and advancement of policy.
- Convene partners and relevant groups, including organizing in-person and virtual briefings related to content areas of expertise.
- Attend and represent LPI at relevant meetings, symposia, and conferences, including making public presentations on behalf of the organization related to content areas of expertise.
- Identify, design, and advance opportunities for partnerships across education organizations.
Qualifications and Experience
- At least 8 years professional experience in policy, government, and/or an organization working on related education policy issues.
- Prior experience in developing and advancing legislative, executive, and/or administrative policy, and the demonstrated ability to effectively conduct, analyze, synthesize, translate, and communicate education research to policymakers, including developing and providing technical assistance on education policy development and advancement.
- Exceptional writing and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively in different contexts and audiences.
- Well-established and trusted bipartisan relationships with key individuals in government and/or at LPI’s partner organizations as related to content areas of expertise.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in collecting, synthesizing, and evaluating information to support policymakers and policy influencers in using research to develop policy—often in time-sensitive situations.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage and coordinate several projects simultaneously, support team members, and track complex tasks across multiple stakeholders.
- A commitment to supporting the learning of other LPI team members and working collaboratively in ways that support their success on projects.
- Demonstrated ability to plan effectively and the flexibility to handle the unexpected.
- Advanced degree preferred but not required.
- Ability and flexibility to travel to states across the country as needed (when it is safe to do so in light of COVID-19).
- Must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
Dispositions
- Passion for ensuring that all children receive empowering and equitable learning, especially students the furthest from opportunity.
- Self-starter mentality and the ability to both work independently and foster collaborative working relationships, and to work well in a team-setting in ways that foster individual and collective success.
- A demonstrated commitment to excellence and equity in carrying out the internal and external responsibilities of the position.
- Ability to execute and exhibit good judgement.
- The curiosity to understand and appreciate the varied and complex educational policy landscape and a respect for and commitment to understanding the underlying evidence-base.
- An optimistic outlook and a flexible, innovative nature.
The Learning Policy Institute has a deep commitment to its staff’s health and well-being and strives to embody the organization’s values within the organizational structure. LPI offers competitive compensation and benefits; prioritizes and provides financial support for professional development; supports diversity, equity, and inclusion work; and values a collaborative culture. LPI is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, short writing sample, and three professional references to: http://jobs.enlist.io/learning_policy_institute/jobs/80ce61bc-4693-4a81-a609-2a85be49bb3b?enlist-source=AEFP
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning February 22, 2021. Candidates invited to continue through the interview process will be asked to complete a job-related task/performance assessment at that time.