Policy Analyst / Senior Policy Analyst

Founded in 2003, Early Edge California (Early Edge), a project of New Venture Fund, is a statewide policy and advocacy organization that works collaboratively with policymakers, education leaders, families, and community leaders to promote policy reform and early learning investments to expand early education program access and support efforts for high-quality teaching and caregiving for all children from birth to age 8.

Over the years, Early Edge has successfully advocated for groundbreaking early childhood policies including the enactment of universal preschool through the expansion of Transitional Kindergarten programs to securing funding to improve Early Learning programs. Early Edge collaborates with thought leaders from across the state to advocate in the best interest of our youngest residents including those children and families most in need, such as Dual Language Learners, to ensure all young children are happy, healthy, engaged learners by their first day of school and every day thereafter. To learn more about Early Edge, please visit www.earlyedgecalifornia.org and for more information on New Venture Fund, please visit www.newventurefund.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Policy Analyst/ Senior Policy Analyst (depending on experience) is a key position for Early Edge’s 4-person policy team. Reporting to the Director of Dual Language Learner (DLL) Programs, the Policy Analyst will be responsible for co-owning the Dual Language Learner portfolio as well as providing policy support on other Early Edge policy areas such as Universal PreK/Transitional Kindergarten implementation, the Early Learning workforce, and birth to three issues. The Policy Analyst will assist with community engagement efforts as well as provide research, analysis, writing, and overall execution of Early Edge’s policy and advocacy agenda in partnership with a highly collaborative Policy Team as well as other Early Edge staff. This is a great opportunity for a proactive, research-driven, and relationship-building professional who brings a passion and desire to help improve California’s Early Learning system, while simultaneously cultivating deep expertise in the portfolio areas mentioned above.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director, the Policy Analyst’s key responsibilities will include the following:

Policy Analysis Strategy & Writing (40%)

Assist with development and execution of Early Edge’s local, state, and federal advocacy agenda

Research and stay up to date on early childhood and DLL policies, research, and legislation and report relevant findings back to the internal team

Conduct analysis and support with drafting of organizational materials such as legislative fact sheets, policy briefs, support letters, meeting and event notetaking, and newsletter content

Develop and support policy efforts aimed at promoting equitable and inclusive representation and support for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) children within the early learning system

Community & Stakeholder Engagement (40%)

Cultivate relationships and build coalitions with external stakeholders such as policymakers, school districts, government agencies, and community-based organizations to ensure the voices of marginalized and BIPOC communities are heard and uplifted

Support with organization representation by serving as spokesperson for public comment at legislative hearings or program site visits with early education agency and government officials

Stay informed about current early childhood and DLL policies, trends, research, and legislation and provide updates and analysis to the team to inform advocacy efforts

Project Management (20%)

Provide logistics and project management, event planning and facilitation support for convenings with educators, parents, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor providers

Support Early Edge program team members with grant proposal and report development

Provide other support as needed to the Early Edge Policy Team

Work on other projects or assignments as needed

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS & DESIRED TRAITS

Shared belief in Early Edge’s mission and a commitment to improving the DLL and Early Learning space

2-3 years of relevant policy, advocacy, and community engagement experience (Policy Analyst level), OR 4+ years (Senior Policy Analyst level) ideally in an education, nonprofit, or legislative/community engagement setting

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience that demonstrates strong communications skills (written, oral) as well as strong technical and analytical abilities

Understanding and knowledge of early childhood or DLL policies in California

Comprehensive and detail-oriented research and analytic skills

Strong persuasive and technical writing skills with the ability to present complex information in varying formats such as fact sheets, policy briefs, support letters and other advocacy materials

Comfort and proficiency with public speaking and presenting to large audiences

Comfort with networking and building relationships with diverse stakeholder such as policymakers, funders, families, and other Early Learning stakeholders

Project management skills including the ability to meet deadlines and effectively handle a variety of time-sensitive tasks and competing priorities with minimal supervision

Proactive nature and eagerness to learn with a growth mindset

Nice-to-Have Qualifications Although Not Required

Expertise in one or more of Early Edge’s Early Learning policy priority areas

Understanding and knowledge of early childhood policy in California and general early learning and DLL research knowledge

Bilingual proficiency or lived experience as a Dual Language Learner

Understanding of the legislative process, state budgets, and policy analysis and development

Understanding of the role of advocacy in advancing a policy agenda

Ability to navigate politically sensitive conversations and situations

Professional Early Learning or DLL teaching experience

Strategic thinking mindset

Undergraduate or graduate degree(s) in public policy, public affairs or administration, education, or a related field

LOCATION

We are open to candidates based anywhere in California. However, Early Edge does have offices in Los Angeles and a presence in Sacramento. Given the nature of the work, there is a strong preference for candidates that are within commuting distance of the greater Los Angeles or Sacramento regions to be able to regularly participate in in-person team meetings or stakeholder events. Currently, Early Edge has a hybrid-remote/office schedule, with semi-monthly in-person meetings and activities. Occasional additional travel outside of the home-based area may also be required for event and meeting support.

COMPENSATION & OTHER BENEFITS

The annual range for this position is $68,000-$78,000 for the Policy Analyst position and $78,000 – $85,000 for the Senior Policy Analyst position and is dependent on experience. Compensation will be based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, and education. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer.

Early Edge offers an excellent benefits package which includes full employer paid health, vision, dental, life insurance, matching 401K, generous time off policies and dedicated professional development funding and encourages and supports growth opportunities for all full-time staff.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit a cover letter and resume, combined into one document. In the file name and email subject header, please write the name of the position you are applying for and your last name: e.g., “Policy Analyst_Ramirez.”

We invite you to utilize your cover letter as an opportunity to:

Tell a story that illuminates your interest in early education and Early Edge’s mission; and

Share how your background and experience align to this position

Please email your application materials to jobs@earlyedgecalifornia.org by the Priority Application Deadline of Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Additional questions about the role or interview process can be directed to Vanessa Ramirez, Recruitment Consultant supporting this search at recruitment@earlyedgecalifornia.org.

HIRING STATEMENT

Early Edge California (Early Edge) is a project of the New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. The New Venture Fund’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

E-Verify

NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.

Policy Analysis Strategy & Writing (40%)

Assist with development and execution of Early Edge’s local, state, and federal advocacy agenda

Research and stay up to date on early childhood and DLL policies, research, and legislation and report relevant findings back to the internal team

Conduct analysis and support with drafting of organizational materials such as legislative fact sheets, policy briefs, support letters, meeting and event notetaking, and newsletter content

Develop and support policy efforts aimed at promoting equitable and inclusive representation and support for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) children within the early learning system

Community & Stakeholder Engagement (40%)

Cultivate relationships and build coalitions with external stakeholders such as policymakers, school districts, government agencies, and community-based organizations to ensure the voices of marginalized and BIPOC communities are heard and uplifted

Support with organization representation by serving as spokesperson for public comment at legislative hearings or program site visits with early education agency and government officials

Stay informed about current early childhood and DLL policies, trends, research, and legislation and provide updates and analysis to the team to inform advocacy efforts

Project Management (20%)

Provide logistics and project management, event planning and facilitation support for convenings with educators, parents, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor providers

Support Early Edge program team members with grant proposal and report development

Provide other support as needed to the Early Edge Policy Team

Work on other projects or assignments as needed

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS & DESIRED TRAITS

Shared belief in Early Edge’s mission and a commitment to improving the DLL and Early Learning space

2-3 years of relevant policy, advocacy, and community engagement experience (Policy Analyst level), OR 4+ years (Senior Policy Analyst level) ideally in an education, nonprofit, or legislative/community engagement setting

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience that demonstrates strong communications skills (written, oral) as well as strong technical and analytical abilities

Understanding and knowledge of early childhood or DLL policies in California

Comprehensive and detail-oriented research and analytic skills

Strong persuasive and technical writing skills with the ability to present complex information in varying formats such as fact sheets, policy briefs, support letters and other advocacy materials

Comfort and proficiency with public speaking and presenting to large audiences

Comfort with networking and building relationships with diverse stakeholder such as policymakers, funders, families, and other Early Learning stakeholders

Project management skills including the ability to meet deadlines and effectively handle a variety of time-sensitive tasks and competing priorities with minimal supervision

Proactive nature and eagerness to learn with a growth mindset

Nice-to-Have Qualifications Although Not Required

Expertise in one or more of Early Edge’s Early Learning policy priority areas

Understanding and knowledge of early childhood policy in California and general early learning and DLL research knowledge

Bilingual proficiency or lived experience as a Dual Language Learner

Understanding of the legislative process, state budgets, and policy analysis and development

Understanding of the role of advocacy in advancing a policy agenda

Ability to navigate politically sensitive conversations and situations

Professional Early Learning or DLL teaching experience

Strategic thinking mindset

Undergraduate or graduate degree(s) in public policy, public affairs or administration, education, or a related field