Senior Policy Analyst

The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, a nonpartisan, research-based resource for policymakers and advocates on the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers, is seeking a Sr. Policy Analyst, Child Welfare (Sr. Policy Analyst), which plays a key role in developing and promoting child welfare issues related to ZERO TO THREE’s comprehensive federal and state policy agenda. The Sr. Policy Analyst represents ZERO TO THREE in Congressional, Administration, and coalition meetings, develops and oversees the creation of a variety of written policy, advocacy, and legislative products, and works closely with government relations consultants to advance ZERO TO THREE’s legislative priorities and strategy, organize Capitol Hill briefings, and other outreach with Congressional staff. This position contributes to the advancement of the priorities and policies of the Policy Center and the Safe Babies Program. The Safe Babies™ Program at ZERO TO THREE supports states and communities in building a more coordinated and aligned early childhood system based on the Safe Babies approach.  The Safe Babies approach works concurrently at the child and family level, community level, and state level to promote healthy early childhood development while impacting long-term capacity building. The goal is to keep families together by igniting collective action to meet the urgent needs of babies, toddlers, and their families.  While the Safe Babies approach is anchored in the court system, it is also an entry point for cross-system collaboration to effectively serve families across multiple areas of need. 

This position is funded through September 29, 2027 and future employment is contingent on available funding. The successful candidate must live in the District of Columbia (DC) metropolitan area and may be required to attend in-person activities at ZERO TO THREE’s Washington, DC office as well as attend activities throughout the DC metro area (Congress, federal  buildings, etc. ).

The Policy Center is urgently hiring for this position and will begin phone interviews November 16th for this role. If you are interested, please submit your materials as soon as possible. Any application that does not include all the required resume, cover letter, and writing sample will not be considered.

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ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Strategy and Implementation

The Sr. Policy Analyst will develop and implement strategies to advance ZERO TO THREE’s federal child welfare policy agenda, working with internal teams, external consultants, and partners. This includes advancing policies and investments that prioritize the social, emotional, and cognitive needs of infants and toddlers, support caregivers and educators, address trauma, prevent family separation, and promote safe, stable environments. The Sr. Policy Analyst will ensure cross-team collaboration, integrating equity-centered policy solutions informed by real-world challenges, community needs, and the perspectives of families, caregivers, and child welfare professionals.

Policy Expertise, Policy Analysis, and Political Acumen

The Sr. Policy Analyst will demonstrate a strong and deep knowledge and understanding of the issues, and proven ability providing real-time analysis and assessment of the political landscape related to child welfare, family economic security, and broader early childhood policy issues, child welfare prevention and early childhood education policy, including CAPTA, Title IVB, Family First Prevention Services Act, and other federal programs that support children and families involved in the child welfare system.

The Sr. Policy Analyst must be able to provide informed insights based on thorough equity-centered analysis, articulate the impact of proposed and existing federal legislation, regulations, and other activities of federal agencies and of projects and initiatives of other national organizations, and recommend appropriate actions to internal partners. They will know the key players and be fluent and flexible in crafting relevant positions and appropriate strategies, and in identifying legislative champions and opportunities, as the political landscape shifts and changes and new issues, opportunities, and challenges emerge. The Sr. Policy Analyst will work with the Safe Babies policy team to ensure legislative positions and priorities fully reflect ZERO TO THREE’s values and commitment to racial equity, are grounded in the science of early childhood development, and reflect the Policy Center’s theory of change, with particular attention to input from families, early childhood professionals, and community partners. The Sr. Policy Analyst will work to ensure engagement activities and materials reflect the Safe Babies Core Components.

Communication and Collaboration

The Sr. Policy Analyst will build and maintain strategic and productive relationships with Congressional staff, and Administration officials, and coalition partners, and provide exceptional technical assistance to federal policymakers and staff, including responding to inquiries for input on legislative language, report language, and comments on legislation and regulations. They will be responsible for working within the processes and procedures established by their supervisor for tracking and communicating legislative work across the federal policy team and supporting collaboration across the Policy Center and Communications Team. The Sr. Policy Analyst will join forces with the Safe Babies policy team, teammates, and colleagues to represent ZERO TO THREE when a concerted effort will be most impactful and, in coordination with the Communications Team and the Policy Center Teams, will have the ability to effectively communicate policy priorities, and succinctly and effectively write policy briefs, testimony, report language, blog posts, updates for an electronic newsletter, and other written materials for a variety of audiences, including Congress, the Administration, and advocates. The Sr. Policy Analyst will be an engaged and thoughtful external voice and representative for ZERO TO THREE, able to leverage their expertise, knowledge, and experience to amplify the reach and impact of ZERO TO THREE’s early childhood education and child welfare and family support work through presentations at Congressional briefings and hearings, conferences, and meetings. They will coordinate with ZERO TO THREE colleagues to organize congressional briefings, webinars, meetings, conference calls and other events for policymakers and other partners, will contribute to grant proposals and reports to funders, and work with Communications staff and the Policy Center team to prepare responses to time sensitive media opportunities.

The Sr. Policy Analyst will perform other duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Policy Center and the advancement of ZERO TO THREE’s policy priorities.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3-5 years relevant work experience; Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes
• Strong interpersonal skills able to develop and build strong relationships with partners
• Broad knowledge of child welfare policy issues at the state and federal levels that center the social, emotional, and cognitive needs of babies, toddlers, families and caregivers and provide the resources and programmatic supports to keep them safe, stable, and healthy
• Skilled in research and policy analysis, including ability to read, analyze, and evaluate a wide range of complex documents and policy proposals and assess the potential impact on infants and toddlers; able to operationalize equity-centered practices in the development and execution of policy
• Ability to work effectively in culturally diverse environments, and understanding of how different forms of oppression operate on interpersonal, institutional and structural levels
• Exceptional reasoning, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including editing and proofreading, with the ability to connect with a variety of audiences with different needs and levels of understanding
• Experience participating in coalition groups and building relationships with relevant partners; relationships with key members and staff of Congress and Executive Branch agencies a plus
• Ability to work independently and as a member of team
• Ability to work in concert with team and external government relations consultants to devise strategies for multiple issue areas involving multiple Congressional Committees and Executive Branch agencies
• Strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to manage multiple competing responsibilities efficiently and effectively
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays

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EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, social work, psychology, early childhood education, or a related field; Masters degree preferred; relevant experience will be considered in lieu of higher education.

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COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be low $80,000s to low $90,000s depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.

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PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.