Senior Policy Associate, Advance IL - Hybrid (Chicago OR Springfield, IL)

 

At a glance

$58–71K/yr

Medical, dental, and vision coverage plus paid time off

Hybrid, based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, or Springfield, Illinois, United States of America

Work in person for part of the week, from one of the locations

Job

Full-time

US work authorization requirements unknown

Organization Overview  

Advance Illinois is a not-for-profit policy and advocacy organization that works toward a healthy public education system that prepares students to achieve success in college, career and civic life. We are committed to an aligned education system that strives for equity, stresses college and career readiness and completion, and supports the whole child from the earliest years through adulthood. We believe every child should have access to a high-quality education regardless of geography, income, or race.  

  

Spanning the early childhood through higher education continuum, Advance Illinois analyzes research, data, and best practice; engages practitioners, families and partners; and develops and promotes policies designed to strengthen public education and care in Illinois.  We are seeking a passionate individual who is committed to public education, looking to grow in the not-for-profit sector, and able to thrive in a fast-paced and high-energy workplace to join our policy team.  

  

Position Summary   

Advance Illinois seeks an outstanding Senior Policy Associate to work on issues related to state education policy. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical, research, writing and communication skills, and the demonstrated ability to go above and beyond to support multiple projects.   

  

The Senior Policy Associate will report to the Director of Policy and will support the policy needs of the organization. We are looking for a self-starter who is comfortable working in a small team environment and partnering not only with staff members, but with diverse outside partners.      

  

Competencies  

Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment  

Excellent research and analytic skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize large amounts of information   

Excellent communication skills – writing, speaking, listening, advising – and political savvy  

Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas and information 

Demonstrated ability to extract, clean, analyze, and interpret trends from complex data sets using R, Python, or other statistical programming languages 

Proficiency in using software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point, including demonstrated ability to design the layout of document text, tables, and graphs   

Experience with Tableau, Power BI, or other data visualization platforms a plus 

Knowledge of government policy, programs, and cross‐system strategies at the state and national levels that support children and youth.  Knowledge of PK12 funding policy and PK12 educator policy, and / or prior teaching experience is a plus 

Ability to develop and iterate on policy solutions to statewide education issues   

Strong facilitation skills, including knowledge and experience supporting inclusive conversations with diverse stakeholders 

Interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with a variety of colleagues and stakeholders  

Demonstrated ability to take independent action, coordinate project activities, and assume responsibility 

  

Essential Functions  

Supports the development of innovative solutions, ideas, and best practices to improve Illinois PK12 funding and PK12 workforce training and support system 

Writes issue briefs, articles and memoranda on policy issues and best practices for Advance Illinois staff. Oversees and executes research including literature reviews and landscape scans 

Manages the collection, analysis and dissemination of information and data necessary to keep the team abreast of key issues and trends in the education system, inform development of policy solutions, and develop external reports. This includes analyzing financial and budget data 

Facilitates meaningful conversations around funding levers, practices, policies and system structures to promote equity within the education system, including through PK12 funding and PK12 workforce training and support systems 

Provides information and technical assistance to staff and other external policymakers. Provides policy analysis to committees, task forces, work groups that Advance Illinois participates in 

Organizes, participates in, and conducts workshops, conferences, and seminars. Creates presentations and develop talking points, support state strategy sessions, and other meetings   

Quickly analyzes draft legislation and recommends appropriate next steps and level of organizational engagement. Develops talking points and materials related to proposed legislation  

Helps design and contributes to project strategy to deliver relevant and timely expertise to Advance Illinois staff 

  

Education and Experience  

Bachelor’s degree plus relevant quantitative analytic, and writing skills required 

Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role 

  

Working Location  

The position is located in Advance Illinois offices in either Chicago or Springfield. Advance Illinois is a hybrid workplace. Employees are expected to work from the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a floating day of their choice as well as be present at in-person meetings with partners as needed. The organization abides by CDC and other health and safety guidelines, and staff are expected to be vaccinated.  

 

Preferred Start Date  
The position offers flexibility for the start date, which can be set anytime between March 1 and June 30, 2025.  

 

Compensation  

The salary range is $58,000 to $65,000 per year depending on experience and qualifications. Additionally, employees have the opportunity to earn a bonus of 10% of annual salary for a total annual compensation of $63,800 to $71,500.  Candidates with advanced qualifications may be eligible for a more senior policy position. Excellent benefits package includes: health/dental/vision insurance; short-term/long-term disability plans; Simple IRA with a company match plan; flexible spending account; holidays and vacation accrual; and ability to pay into a Health Savings Account.  

To Apply   

Complete this survey and submit a resume to policy@advanceillinois.org. All submissions will be acknowledged.  Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not call Advance Illinois. 

View original listing HERE!

Community Schools Initiative (CSI) External Partnerships Coach - Chicago Public Schools

Who: Chicago Public Schools

What: The Community Schools Initiative (CSI) External Partnerships Coach in the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS) assists with the administration of CPS Community Schools funded through 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grants held by external organizations. This individual will report to the Manager of the Community Schools Initiative (CSI) in the Office of Student Support and Engagement within OCCS.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as Chicago Public Schools centralized liaison to community-based organizations awarded 21st CCLC funding to implement the Community Schools model. Proactively manages relationships between CPS schools, CPS Central Office Departments, and partner organizations to support the needs of schools to maximize positive impact on students, families, and the community.
• Leads professional development activities and technical assistance to participating CPS schools and 21st CCLC grantees to implement national best practices for Community Schooling which includes the use of the CSI Needs Assessment Toolkit and the CSI Self-Assessment Rubrics.
• Supports CPS schools and partner organizations in the development of CSI Service and Sustainability Plans, documents that articulate the goals and priorities for each Community School and ensures fiscal responsibility and strong program implementation.
• Reviews, approves, and monitors CSI Service Plans and school-level data entry of all CSI activities and generates regular budget spend and program outcome reports leveraging centralized CPS data systems (i. e., Cityspan and IMPACT).
• Collects, analyzes, and distributes all data required for annual reports to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for every CPS school receiving CSI grant funding held by external organizations.
• Performs regular school visits to Community Schools and leverages CSI observation tools during program hours to assess program offerings and delivery to assess program implementation and delivery of services.
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications:

• B. A. required
• Masters preferred

• Minimum of three (3) to five (5 ) years of relevant work experience
• Familiarity with non-profit organizations and school-community partnerships required
• Experience in grants and program management is highly preferred
• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated research, data analysis, and evaluation experience
• Experience with CPS Cityspan and Student Information Systems, as well as IMPACT, Dashboard, and other CPS data systems highly preferred

• Proven project management capabilities including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and the ability to align and implement activities toward execution of identified goals.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, both independently, and as a member of a collaborative team.
• Proven ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data to inform strategy and program quality and improvement.
• Strong service and support orientation towards schools and school communities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. Exceptional verbal and written skills.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in the midst of new and shifting programs and priorities with a "can-do," solutions-oriented approach to learning and problem-solving.
• Excellent organization and time management skills with impeccable attention to detail.
• Budget management experience and knowledge of basic budget functions.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision outside of a formalized, central office setting.

Apply here.

Policy Analyst - The Hunt Institute - Durham, NC

Policy Analyst
The Hunt Institute
Durham, NC

The Hunt Institute’s mission is to secure America’s future through quality public education. Since its establishment in 2001, the organization has emerged as a recognized and credible leader in the movement to transform American public education and a go-to source for reliable, objective, and timely information. The Institute works at the intersection of policy and politics, supporting state and national officials and empowering them to drive education reform. Its mandate is to inspire and equip elected officials and senior policymakers to make informed decisions that improve the lives of all children. The Institute’s primary audience is governors, legislators, and other elected and state-level policymakers.

The Hunt Institute seeks a policy analyst or senior policy analyst (PA) to join the Policy & Program Team (title and designation will be determined based on selected candidate’s relevant experience ). The PA maintains an expert understanding of education policy issues and readily translates them into publications and curriculum for high-level state policymakers. S/he conducts research and analysis on relevant policy issues and writes policy briefs, primers, and case studies for dissemination to the Institute’s policymaker audiences. S/he plans and executes agendas for policymaker convenings. The PA collaborates with both the Director and Associate Director of Policy & Program to build relationships with key constituents in the Institute’s networks (such as North Carolina).

The PA reports to the Director of Policy & Program (DPP).

Principal Functions
Education Policy Analysis, Tracking, and Networking
The PA serves as the subject matter expert on assigned education policy areas in internal strategic planning sessions, partner meetings, meetings with policymakers, and during the development of publications and events. S/he prepares and communicates timely analyses in meetings, presentations, and in written documents. S/he contributes to and attends conferences and meetings, including meetings of various national professional associations, advocacy organizations, and policy research organizations.

Curriculum Development and Project Management
The PA serves as the lead project manager for policymaker convenings, such as the Holshouser Legislators Retreat ; project management includes designing and executing agendas, identifying and preparing speakers, developing materials, and managing the project timeline. The PA will work in coordination with the Associate Director of the Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows (or her designee) on event logistics. As needed, the PA supports the development of curriculum for the Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows around areas of content expertise.

Publications and Content
The PA authors policy briefs, primers, case studies, state-specific policy summaries, signature publications, such as re: VISION and coNCepts, and other innovative content. S/he synthesizes information from a variety of sources into concise, nonpartisan documents that reflect the current political and education policy context. The PA also contributes to the institute’s blog, The Intersection, as appropriate.

Evaluation and Strategic Planning
The PA participates in long-term planning for the institute’s work with policymakers. S/he supports ongoing program improvement by developing methods to capture participant feedback and makes recommendations for potential follow-up activities for policymakers.

Qualifications
The position requires a bachelor’s degree in public policy, education, public administration, or related field; master’s degree in public policy preferred. Candidates should possess at least 3 years of relevant experience; candidates with at least 7 years of directly relevant experience may be considered for senior policy analyst position.

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate:

• Deep knowledge of state and national K-12 education policy—knowledge of the landscape in North Carolina a plus;
• Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to present complex information clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences;
• Commitment to maintaining political balance ;
• Proven ability to effectively scan the education landscape and determine issues of relevance and impact;
• Strong organizational and project planning skills, as well as good attention to detail;
• Passion for the Institute’s mission and impact;
• Ability to be responsive in a deadline-driven environment; and
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.

To apply, please send your résumé, cover letter, and a short (no more than 3 pages) education- related writing sample to the email listed.

Required experience:
Years of relevant experience: 3 years

Required education:
Bachelor's