Senior K-12 Education Policy Advisor

Third Way

24d•$85,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy. Third Way is looking for a Senior K-12 Education Policy Advisor to help define and elevate a forward-thinking policy agenda for K-12 education that champions ideas to ensure our public education system is equipped to prepare students for success in their lives and in tomorrow’s economy. The Senior K-12 Education Policy Advisor will drive efforts to persuade policymakers and those who influence them that students and families deserve equal opportunity and better results from public education and analyze, propose, and publicly advocate for policy ideas to modernize elementary and secondary education, support and advance the teacher workforce, and make public schools focus more on improving student achievement.

Requirements

Have a sophisticated understanding of federal K-12 policy and politics and a passion for improving student outcomes in our public education system
Have demonstrated ability to write clearly on complex topics for an audience of non-experts
Are comfortable conducting quantitative analysis, including original interpretation and presentation of K-12 education data
Have proficiency and experience in using an array of tools to advocate for a cause and achieve demonstrated results on the Hill, in the press, on political campaigns, and/or in the Administration
Have oral advocacy skills including through presentations, briefings, and press engagement
Have a graduate degree or an undergraduate degree in a relevant field plus exceptionally relevant work experience

Responsibilities

Conceive of ideas for high-impact written reports, memos, op-eds, and presentations that illuminate the current problems in our K-12 education system and explain how we can better ensure student achievement, fair and effective school funding, and a strong teacher workforce
Conduct in-depth, original-source research and quantitative analysis to better understand and unpack next-generation challenges and opportunities facing public schools
Analyze existing proposals and come up with new policy ideas that will improve public schools and promote educational opportunity for all students in America
Spearhead communication with and outreach to the Hill to advocate for policy ideas that would improve student outcomes
Develop and deploy messaging guidance to help Democrats speak persuasively and effectively on K-12 policy issues, including addressing key concerns of parents, educators, and voters
Act as a primary liaison to leaders in the K-12 policy community to cultivate partnerships and advance Third Way’s education agenda
Speak in the press and at events to disseminate Third Way’s work and perspective
Advise other members of Third Way’s education and communications teams on events and digital collateral around improving student outcomes in our K-12 education system
Perform other duties as assigned