About the Organization and the Opportunity
The Education Trust (Ed Trust) seeks a Policy Lead on our P-12 Policy, Research, and Practice team to serve as a content expert in the area of equitable school funding. The Policy Lead will join a staff committed to fulfilling our mission of closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.
The Policy Lead brings a wealth of knowledge of the nuances in school funding policy at the national, state, and local levels, and the impact current policies have on equitable access to resources for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. The Policy Lead functions with a high degree of autonomy and will have the exciting opportunity to support the Policy Director and VP of P12 Policy, Practice, and Research in setting the direction and vision for the organization’s work on equitable school funding. This role serves as a content expert in equitable school funding externally, representing Ed Trust’s positions in the field with coalitions, working groups, task forces, and the media, as well as building internal capacity across Ed Trust’s state offices to engage on the issue of equitable school funding with policymakers and advocates.
Ed Trust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, Ed Trust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.
Available immediately, this role is based in our Washington, DC office and is eligible for telework for up to 3 days per week. The Policy Lead, Equitable School Funding reports to the Director of P-12 Policy and may supervise 1-2 staff members, fellows and/or interns.
About the Policy Lead Role
The responsibilities and objectives for this role include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Serve as the primary content expert on equitable school funding for the organization
- Inform and manage the organization’s policy positions around equitable school funding by monitoring and reporting on policy and legislative developments, including taking into account the broader context of the shifting education policy landscape and Ed Trust’s various priority areas
- Conduct policy analyses and develop written recommendations on proposed or current state and federal legislation related to equitable school funding
- Develop and manage all aspects of projects related to equitable school funding, generating new policy insights, reports, tools, advocacy materials, and other resources
- Advise state advocate partners on equitable funding policy and contribute to their knowledge and strategy as they engage on school funding issues in legislative, regulatory, and broader advocacy
- Elevate Ed Trust’s policy priorities in the school funding arena by developing key relationships and representing the organization in external meetings with external stakeholders, peer organizations, policymakers, leaders, funders, other advocates, and the media
- Support the development of new grant opportunities and proposals, and manage relevant grants and grant components to ensure all funding requirements are met
- Review policy and research products to ensure that they are high-quality, accurate, equity-driven, and actionable, as well as aligned with Ed Trust’s mission and goals
- Lead collaboration within Ed Trust to achieve annual individual and departmental goals; partner with other teams, such as Communications and Partnerships and Engagements, to ensure that Ed Trust’s policy recommendations reach equity advocates and policymakers
- Recruit, hire, and manage1-2 employees and/or interns, including delegating tasks, coaching and development, and assessing performance, if relevant
Ideal Skills and Characteristics
- Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity with a focus on racial equity
- Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment
- Strong project management, time management, and budget management skills
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present highly technical policy issues to a variety of audiences in accessible ways
- Knowledge and understanding of education equity issues
- Strong experience developing and conducting policy analysis and research; analyzing and evaluating results; and creating policy recommendations appropriate to different political and state contexts
- Strong relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders
- Eagerness for collaboration with both internal and external partners
- High emotional intelligence, professional maturity, and problem solving skills
- Willingness to provide constructive feedback to others, as well as to receive and act upon feedback from others
- Ability to exercise sound judgment
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:
- At least a bachelor’s degree in education, public policy/administration, or a related field; advanced degree is a plus
- At least 5-6 years of experience in analyzing school funding policy, data, and research, including developing policy recommendations, written feedback to proposed legislation, and/or other tools/resources for advocates and policymakers to increase equity in school funding
- Significant familiarity with education policy, particularly on issues of education equity, with special expertise in issues related to K12 school funding
Compensation & Benefits
The annual salary for this position starts at $90,000 and will be commensurate with experience.
The Education Trust prioritizes the health and well-being of its employees and, to that end, offers a highly competitive benefits package. Medical, dental and vision insurance are covered at 100% for the employee, with significant coverage also offered for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents. We provide sick leave, vacation leave, and personal leave, and we follow the federal government for most holiday closures. To ensure staff have synchronous opportunities for rest and renewal, the office is closed for a week-long summer break and a week-long winter break. Among other offerings , we provide an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee, and a generous 7% contribution opportunity on a 403(b)-retirement plan.
