Sr. Policy Analyst

ZERO TO THREE

7h•$80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE is seeking a Sr. Policy Analyst, Child Welfare, to develop and promote child welfare issues within the organization’s federal and state policy agenda. The position represents ZERO TO THREE in Congressional, Administration, and coalition meetings; develops and oversees written policy, advocacy, and legislative products; and works with government relations consultants to advance legislative priorities, organize Capitol Hill briefings, and conduct outreach to Congressional staff. The role contributes to the priorities of the Policy Center and the Safe Babies Program, which supports states and communities in coordinating early childhood systems to meet the needs of babies, toddlers, and their families and to help keep families together. The Sr. Policy Analyst develops and implements federal child welfare policy strategies in collaboration with internal teams, external consultants, and partners. The role provides analysis of the political landscape and federal legislation, regulations, and agency activity; recommends actions to internal partners; and helps shape policy positions grounded in early childhood development, racial equity, and input from families, professionals, and community partners. The analyst builds relationships with policymakers and coalition partners, provides technical assistance, communicates policy priorities to varied audiences, and represents ZERO TO THREE at briefings, hearings, conferences, and meetings. The role also supports events, grant proposals and reports, and time-sensitive media responses, and performs other duties as assigned. The position is funded through September 29, 2027; continued employment after that date is contingent on available funding. The successful candidate must live in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and may need to attend in-person activities at the Washington, DC office and elsewhere in the DC metro area. Travel, including occasional overnight stays, is required.

Requirements

At least 3–5 years of relevant work experience; Capitol Hill experience is strongly preferred.
Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain relationships with partners.
Broad knowledge of state and federal child welfare policy, including issues affecting the social, emotional, and cognitive needs of babies, toddlers, families, and caregivers.
Research and policy analysis skills, including the ability to evaluate complex documents and policy proposals and assess potential impacts on infants and toddlers.
Ability to apply equity-centered practices in policy development and implementation.
Ability to work effectively in culturally diverse environments and understand interpersonal, institutional, and structural forms of oppression.
Strong reasoning, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
Excellent oral and written communication, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to address audiences with different needs and levels of understanding.
Experience participating in coalitions and building relationships with relevant partners.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Ability to work with a team and external government relations consultants to develop strategies spanning multiple issues, Congressional committees, and Executive Branch agencies.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing responsibilities effectively.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays.
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, social work, psychology, early childhood education, or a related field, or relevant experience in lieu of higher education.
Must live in the District of Columbia metropolitan area.
May be required to attend in-person activities at ZERO TO THREE’s Washington, DC office and elsewhere in the DC metro area.

Nice To Haves

Capitol Hill experience.
Master’s degree.
Relationships with key members and staff of Congress and Executive Branch agencies.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategies to advance ZERO TO THREE’s federal child welfare policy agenda in collaboration with internal teams, consultants, and partners.
Advance policies and investments that address the developmental needs of infants and toddlers, support caregivers and educators, address trauma, prevent family separation, and promote safe and stable environments.
Promote cross-team collaboration and integrate equity-centered policy solutions informed by community needs and the perspectives of families, caregivers, and child welfare professionals.
Monitor and assess the political landscape and analyze child welfare, family economic security, early childhood, prevention, and early childhood education policy issues.
Analyze proposed and existing federal legislation, regulations, federal agency activities, and national organization initiatives; assess their potential impact and recommend actions to internal partners.
Identify legislative champions and opportunities, and adapt positions and strategies as the political landscape changes.
Work with the Safe Babies policy team to ensure legislative positions reflect ZERO TO THREE’s values, racial equity commitment, early childhood development science, Policy Center theory of change, and the Safe Babies Core Components.
Build and maintain relationships with Congressional staff, Administration officials, and coalition partners, and provide technical assistance to federal policymakers and staff.
Respond to requests for input on legislative language, report language, legislation, and regulations.
Track and communicate legislative work according to supervisor-established processes and support collaboration across the Policy Center and Communications Team.
Write policy briefs, testimony, report language, blog posts, electronic newsletter updates, and other materials for Congress, the Administration, advocates, and other audiences.
Represent ZERO TO THREE at Congressional briefings and hearings, conferences, and meetings, and communicate policy priorities effectively.
Coordinate with colleagues to organize Congressional briefings, webinars, meetings, conference calls, and other events for policymakers and partners.
Contribute to grant proposals and funder reports, and collaborate with Communications staff and the Policy Center team on responses to time-sensitive media opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the Policy Center and advance ZERO TO THREE’s policy priorities.