We're Hiring: Research and Policy Analyst

Position: Research and Policy Analyst

Reports to: Vice President, Policy

Classification: Full Time/Exempt

Organizational Background

Established in May of 2008 and incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) in July 2015, the Linked Learning Alliance is the engine that drives a movement to help every young person determine his or her own future through a proven educational approach called Linked Learning.

Historically, most American students faced an “or.” At some point in high school, they were deemed to be college material, or not. They were encouraged to study for college or train for a trade. But research shows that real educational solutions— and equity—exist in the “and.” Combining college and career preparation puts every student in position to pursue the full range of postsecondary options. That’s the power of plus—and the driving force behind Linked Learning.

Linked Learning integrates rigorous academics with real-world learning and strong support services to prepare students for success in college, career, and life. The Alliance helps create public will for equity and excellence in education, elevates and sets the standard for high quality practice of Linked Learning across America, and advances policies that serve and support all youth.

Reporting to the Vice President of Policy, the Policy and Research Analyst will serve as a key member of the Alliance’s growing and emerging team and as an active participant in helping to activate a strategic vision anchored in achieving equity and excellence for students across the U.S. through high-quality college and career preparation.

Position Overview

The Research and Policy Analyst will play a central role in the Alliance’s to policy agenda development and implementation, evidence building, and data strategy. The Research and Policy Analyst will work with the Executive team to develop and implement a robust research agenda that builds the evidence base for Linked Learning. The Research and Policy Analyst will also help develop and implement the organization’s policy agenda and will assist with a broad set of activities that support advancement of the Linked Learning approach at the state and federal levels. More specifically, the Research and Policy Analyst will have the following responsibilities:

Policy

• Conduct legislative research, attend and testify at legislative briefing/hearings, and draft memos
• Proactively engage and field requests for information about Linked Learning from state and federal policymakers, including organizing briefings and planning legislative site visits to Linked Learning sites
• Track key legislative and policy actions across the country and conduct bill analysis and policy analysis of k-12, higher education, and workforce budget and policy proposals
• Collaborate with Executive team to conduct research projects on policy issues related to k-12, higher education, and workforce issues, and lead development of policy recommendations for written pieces
• Write policy briefs, statements, and letters that advance the Alliance’s policy agenda
• Design and support advocacy opportunities for the Linked Learning field in collaboration with the Executive and Communications teams

Research

• • Work with the Vice Presidents of Strategy and Impact and Policy to identify new and emerging research needs to advance the Linked Learning field
  • Identify data available to answer priority research questions
  • Conduct literature reviews and background research on issues related to K-12 education, higher education, and/or workforce development
  • Design and conduct research as appropriate to projects or initiatives, including the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
  • Clean and manage quantitative data from the Alliance’s Certification platform and other databases, including creating variables, merging and reshaping files, and running descriptive analytics and statistical models to analyze these data
  • Prepare research memos, briefs, reports and presentations and contribute to communication and dissemination activities
  • Contribute to articles, blog posts, newsletters, and other communication efforts to promote Linked Learning
  • Respond to field requests for Linked Learning data and research
  • Track emerging research in the fields of college and career readiness, workforce and youth development, career technical education, postsecondary transitions, socio-emotional learning, etc. to highlight connections to Linked Learning
  • Develop and maintain an updated repository of Linked Learning and related research on the Alliance website
    

General

• Support the organization’s fundraising efforts, including writing grant proposals and reports
• Build strong working relationships and communicate effectively with Linked Learning districts, funders, and other key partners and stakeholders
• Support the design and execution of convenings and conventions hosted by the LLA to ensure high value to participants and relevance/value of the services to key stakeholders
• Serve as an ambassador for the LLA at external functions and present at conferences and convenings
• Proactively communicate the impact of Linked Learning to a broad stakeholder audience
• Provide organizational support as needed, including the coordination and scheduling of staff events and gatherings, as well as Board meetings, and the development of meeting materials

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, or a related field preferred; Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and commensurate experience will be considered
• Five years of experience working in education research, state or federal educational reform efforts, education policy and advocacy, state or federal policies and processes, or other relevant experiences within the education field
• Strong familiarity with college and career readiness policies; familiarity with Linked Learning, its principles and impact is a plus
• Passion for Linked Learning Alliance’s mission of promoting educational equity, access, and excellence for students of all backgrounds
• Knowledge of the state and/or federal education policy landscape
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and community awareness and engagement
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, database management, and basic statistical programming
• Strategic and creative thinker that can turn ideas into action and thrive in a start-up organization
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to relate to educators, employers, policy makers and other constituents at various levels, and a solid history of finding common ground and advancing cross-segment, cross-organizational partnerships
• Excellent organizational skills, a solid ability to identify and address needs, multi-task and effectively juggle competing priorities, and work well under pressure
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and clearly communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial and learning mindset and ability to take initiative to identify potential future problems and work with colleagues to design solutions
• Willingness and ability to travel to advance regional and national work – not to exceed 25% of time
• Ability to work effectively in a blended work environment – balancing working virtually with periodic in-person meetings in a shared physical work space – and maintain regular and open communication with supervisors and colleagues
• Willingness to play an active role in developing and maintaining a professional, rewarding and effective work environment, and ability to serve as strong and collaborative team player, identifying and taking on new tasks and projects as needed
• Well-honed ability to execute and exhibit good judgment

Compensation

Linked Learning Alliance offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package. The salary range for this position is $75,000-$95,000, commensurate with experience.

Location

While the Alliance is headquartered in San Francisco, the successful candidate for this role will primarily work from home. Candidates from across the country are encouraged to apply. This position will require occasional travel.

To Apply

If you would like to apply, please send your résumé and a cover letter to HR@linkedlearning.org. Indicate the position title in the subject line of the email for the fastest consideration. In your cover letter, please share how your experience, competencies, skills, and interests are a good match for this position.

The Linked Learning Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.

The Alliance is committed to equity, embraces diversity as an asset, and practices inclusivity. These values strengthen our culture, help us fulfill our mission, and contribute to a better world. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.