Research and Policy Early Childhood Policy & Advocacy Associate
Job Description
The Education Trust–New York seeks a full-time Early Childhood Policy & Advocacy Associate, who will help to implement Ed Trust–NY’s early childhood education policy agenda.
About Ed Trust–NY:
The Education Trust–New York works for educational justice and the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, from early childhood through college completion. We expose educational injustices and inequities that separate students of color, multilingual learners, and low-income students from their peers, and we identify and advocate for the strategies that will forever close equity gaps. Ed Trust–NY is a nonpartisan, data-driven, nonprofit education policy and advocacy organization. We work alongside parents, educators, policymakers, and community and business leaders.
Ed Trust–NY staffs the Raising NY coalition, which is a diverse statewide coalition of parent, early childhood, education, civil rights, business, and health organizations dedicated to increasing the number of children who are on track for school readiness.
Ed Trust–NY is a fast-paced, mission-driven organization with high expectations for our team and the work we produce. We are committed to high-quality policy and advocacy and the relentless pursuit of equity.
To learn more, please visit edtrustny.org and raisingny.org.
The position:
The Early Childhood Policy & Advocacy Associate will support Ed Trust–NY and Raising NY’s efforts to advance policies that support families of infants and toddlers during the first critical years of life. Through the development of policy recommendations, reports, memos, and other publications, the execution of strategic advocacy campaigns, and supporting the Raising NY coalition, the Early Childhood Policy & Advocacy Associate will help execute a robust agenda to increase the number of children from birth to 3 who are on track for school readiness in New York State.
The ideal candidate for this role has knowledge of the equity issues facing infants and toddlers and their families, relevant policies, and core early childhood programs; experience working with diverse coalitions of partners to execute successful advocacy strategies; and a passion for improving and expanding access to high-quality programs for children from birth to three. The position will be based in New York City.
The Early Childhood Policy & Advocacy Associate’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Support the Deputy Director & Chief Partnerships Officer to develop and sustain constructive relationships with the Raising NY coalition and other key partners, including statewide and local civil rights, early childhood, parent, faith, business, and advocacy groups; legislators; practitioners; and the public.
- Leverage relationships with grasstop and grassroot leaders and organizations to prioritize the issue of improving New York State early childhood education to the front and center of state policymaking and investment.
- Engage in research and analysis to support advocacy efforts, in collaboration with coalition partners and the Ed Trust–NY research and policy team.
- Develop and execute the advocacy strategy for our policy agenda, including managing social media and letter writing campaigns, coordinating sign-on letters, arranging and leading meetings with policymakers.
- Inform Ed Trust–NY and the Raising NY coalition’s policy positions by monitoring and reporting policy conversation across government, media, think tanks, academia, and advocates.
- Draft policy briefs, reports, public comment, fact sheets, and other written collateral in support of advocacy efforts.
- In response to legislative, regulatory, institutional, and other policy proposals, prepare memos, letters, and statements summarizing Ed Trust–NY and Raising NY’s positions, analyses, and recommendations.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
We are looking for a combination of the following qualifications and experience:
- Passion for increasing statewide access to high-quality early childhood care and educational experiences for all children, especially focused on children from low-income backgrounds and children of color who have been impacted by systemic racism and other social barriers to access, and an unwavering belief that these children could be much more successful if institutions better served them and their families.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion internally and externally, including confronting the impact of systemic racism in early childhood policy and advocacy work.
- Familiarity with the New York State, New York City, and other local policy contexts that affect early childhood (with emphasis on infants/toddlers).
- At least 2-3 years of experience conducting policy and advocacy with a focus on infants/toddlers.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively to advance early childhood policy advocacy, often in time-sensitive situations.
- Ability to work on and manage multiple projects with quick turnarounds and pivot among priorities.
- Exceptional writing and clear communication skills.
- Superb project management and time-management skills.
- Demonstrated experience and comfort with using data to support policy and program development.
- Master’s or PhD with 1-2 years of relevant professional experience, or Bachelor’s with 3-5 years of relevant professional experience, or 5+ years of relevant professional experience (preferred, but will consider all candidates).
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience with Microsoft Office suite.
- Strong sense of honor and integrity.
- A friendly and supportive working style that brings out the best in colleagues.
Compensation and Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Ed Trust–NY offers a comprehensive benefits package.
How to Apply
Application Process:
Please upload a cover letter and resume to this link.
We review applications on a rolling basis.
The Education Trust–New York is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.
