Director of Science Policy - Afterschool Alliance

Director of Science Policy - Afterschool Alliance

The Afterschool Alliance is a non-profit advocacy and public awareness organization based in Washington, D.C. working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs.

Job Position: Director of Science Policy
Position Overview: The Director of Science will be responsible for creating and advancing federal, state and local opportunities and policies to expand resources and activities that provide students with access to a rich STEM curriculum in afterschool programs.

The Director of Science Policy works with senior management to develop policy goals and implement a policy plan that helps advance science opportunities in the afterschool arena. The Director builds relationships with policy makers, particularly those at agencies and on committees that implement science policy and partner organizations to advance public funding and support for the sciences in afterschool, and coordinates policy efforts with state and local afterschool providers and advocates. The Director of Science Policy reports to the Policy Director.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

o Work with senior management and consultants to develop and expand the Afterschool Alliance’s science policy positions and plans;
o Advance the Afterschool Alliance’s science policy priorities at the federal level
o Monitoring afterschool science related policy developments at the federal, state, and local levels;
o Managing, with the assistance of consultants, legislative work impacting science and afterschool on Capitol Hill and with the Administration, including tracking federal legislation, preparing correspondence, fact sheets and other documents, educating Hill staff, holding staff briefings;
o Build relationships with state and national organizations that have a stake in science and afterschool
o Communicate changes in federal policy to afterschool providers, advocates and partner organizations;
o Ensure that federal science policy efforts are coordinated with state and local advocacy efforts
o Monitor, with the assistance of the Vice President of Research & Policy and the Field Outreach Coordinator, the impact of changes in federal policy on afterschool programs providing or hoping to provide a science curriculum;
o Represent the Afterschool Alliance with partner organizations and in public settings including conferences and briefings;
o Provide consultation and technical assistance to advocates and federal, state and local policymakers;

Qualifications: The Afterschool Alliance offers a well-balanced work environment with a supportive and growing team and opportunities for advancement. Candidates must have a master’s degree and public policy related to Science, Technology, Engineering and or Math, education or youth development. Candidates must have strong writing, research and analytical skills – including the ability to analyze technical information and data and convey information to a variety of audiences, including federal, state and local policy makers, researchers, advocates and the public. Candidates should have competence to undertake assignments with little supervision, excellent interpersonal skills, be proficient in MS Office Suite and should be able to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines. Candidates must be detail orientated and work well in a team setting. Salary commensurate with experience, excellent benefits, including health insurance, life and short and long-term disability insurance, a 403(b) retirement program, flexible spending accounts and generous vacation, sick leave and holiday schedules. Please send cover letter, resume, writing sample and references to info@afterschoolalliance.org.

The Afterschool Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.