About WestEd

As a community of over 1000 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

Furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion is core to who we are and how we work. We are committed to working with our clients to illuminate and address disparities, value and elevate diverse voices, and ensure equitable access to our resources and services. Please review our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on our Careers page at wested.org . Come and join us!

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION— Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Director of Policy and Outreach, this position will provide direct support to the Policy and Outreach team and will be influential with cross-functional teams across WestEd. As Senior Policy Advisor, this position will, in collaboration with the Director of Policy and Outreach, work with various cross-division teams and departments to deliver on an annual plan and associated strategies that helps our leaders bring timely expertise to federal and state policy leaders, and helps WestEd’s leaders anticipate, prepare for and support federal and state policy developments. This is a full-time opportunity in the education research industry with competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package.

Responsibilities:

• Manage various policy-related projects for the Policy and Outreach team and act as an advisor to the Director of Policy and Outreach.
• Assist the Director of Policy and Outreach in developing and implementing a federal outreach plan associated with the agency’s policy and business development agenda, which includes a focus on building WestEd’s presence and eminence at the federal level so the agency is seen as a critical thought partner in helping key federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Departments Education and Health and Human Services) operationalize their respective service agendas to ensure youth and educators across the education continuum have the evidence, resources, and supports they need to succeed this year and beyond.
• Establish and maintain relationships with federal and state influencers, and national organizations to build strong partnerships that benefit WestEd.
• Support the Director of Policy and Outreach by monitoring and tracking any pending or upcoming legislative and/or gubernatorial actions in key states.
• Coordinate with the Director of Policy and Outreach in conducting federal and state policy analysis and provide WestEd leaders with information about best
  practices, trends in policymaking and current research that are relevant to the agency’s work and services that we offer.
• Review reports, articles and issue briefs and memos about policy issues and best practices associated with our staff and divisions’ areas of expertise, for both internal and external use.
• Support and participate in relevant workshops, conferences and seminars for state and national audiences.
• Represent WestEd at various organizational, partner, and policy community functions, activities, and events.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success of the team and the entire agency.

To help us expand our policy presence at the federal and state level, we are looking for a passionate team member who has the following:

• Substantive knowledge and understanding of federal and state policy, and its implementation, as it relates to early learning and care, K-12 education, post-secondary education, workforce development, and justice and prevention.
• Experience working with high-level policymakers at the local, state, national and federal level in a variety of settings; experience working in government preferred.
• Proven ability to synthesize information, and communicate effectively in written and verbal forms, with special emphasis on the ability to communicate with policymaking audiences.
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting and applying research and best practices for policymakers in a timely and effective manner.
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously within deadlines including budgets and partnerships.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively work with colleagues, partner organizations and a variety of federal and state level policymakers;
  Ability and willingness to assume additional responsibilities and work independently and collaboratively internally and externally.
• Independent, organized, curious and self-driven.
• Able to produce documents and presentations at a proficient/advanced level with MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, support and understand different project teams from a position of influence as well as authority.
• Strong attention to detail and focus on task completion.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the area of education policy.
• Demonstrated work experience in the area of education policy required.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationship development of external partnerships, agencies, and high-level decision makers required.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The full salary range for this position, WestEd level G, is $88,000 to $132,000 but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $88,000 to $110,000. The actual offer takes into account multiple factors including but not limited to education; experience; internal equity, and other organizational needs.

In addition to the base salary, benefits include:

· 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment

· Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts

· All health/welfare benefits are effective first of the month following hire date

· PTO: 3 weeks vacation (increases to 4 weeks beginning the 4th year of employment), paid holidays, and 12 days paid sick leave per year

· Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary

· Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives

· Professional development opportunities & mentorship program

For more detail about our benefits, go to:

https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/benefits/

Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resource groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few. We hope you’ll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more! #LI-Washington, DC

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)