Education Policy Analyst Full-Time (Exempt)

POSITION TITLE: Education Policy Associate, Full-time (Exempt)

DEPARTMENT:  Education

REPORTS TO:  Manager of Educational Policy and Research

SALARY:  40-45K

DATE:  June 2019

The Latino Policy Forum is a policy and advocacy nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the power, influence, and leadership of the Latino community through collective action to transform public policies and ensure the well-being of Latinos and society as a whole throughout Illinois. With a focus on early childhood education (ECE) to 3^rd grade issues, the Forum’s education agenda advocates for all Latino children and English Learners to have access to high quality care and education services that are linguistically and culturally responsive to close the opportunity gap.

Under the direction of the Manager of Educational Policy and Research, contribute to the coordination and implementation of the Forum’s birth to 3^rd grade education agenda with specific attention to the goals of advancing quality educational opportunities, programming, and access for Latino children and English Learners from ECE to 3^rd grade. This position requires a great deal of flexibility and drive and the ability to manage multiple priorities. It provides a valuable opportunity to be immersed in and influence educational improvement as it relates to Latino and English Learner families and communities across the state of Illinois. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Policy, Advocacy, and Parent Capacity Building (70%)

• Design and develop presentations regarding education related topics.  This includes planning and preparing logistics, conducing workshops in Spanish and English, and evaluating the effectiveness of workshops.  A key task will be to oversee the Forum’s Opening Doors/Abriendo Puertas program.
• Develop and assist with advocacy strategies and the implementation of policy proposals and advocacy strategies to advance the organization’s ECE to 3^rd grade agenda
• Help co-facilitate meetings and activities that pertain to the Education Acuerdo. (Acuerdo – A work group of ECE community leaders that inform the development of the Forum’s advocacy agenda and policy recommendations.)
• Contributes to research, reports, and data analysis regarding policies that affect young children
• Travel to Springfield, as needed, during the legislative session (Jan-May) to advance the Forum’s policy agenda with elected officials, government staffers, state agency officials and other relevant decision-makers
• Draft and present oral and written testimony to various units of government on behalf of the Forum
• Recruit and assist the Forum’s partners in submitting oral or written testimony to various units of government on behalf of the Forum
• Advance the Forum’s policy agenda with various stakeholder groups and advisory bodies

Internal Capacity Building (30%)

• Oversee all aspects of the education grants calendar; organize funder meetings as necessary
• Maintain, review, and coordinate grant specific deliverable/s
• Manage department budget; submit expenses and reports in a timely manner
• Organize work plans, team goals, and weekly team meetings
  • Coordinate departmental report for Forum’s Board of Directors; present as necessary
  • Maintain data accuracy in Salesforce
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• BA required
• Experience/knowledge with training, parent involvement, and related issues
• Strong, demonstrable research, writing, editing, analytical and oral presentation skills
• Experience with public speaking and making presentations to the general public
• Well-organized, self-starter, adaptable in challenging situations; able to manage multiple tasks and respond to diverse individuals/communities needs
• Bilingual Spanish-English required (written and spoken)

Requirements:

• Must have a valid Illinois driver’s license and proof of insurance
• Must be able to use own vehicle in the course of work
• Must be able to travel to outlying areas beyond Metropolitan Chicago

The Forum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and actively seeks diversity in its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, status as an individual with disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. POC are highly encouraged to apply.

NO PHONE CALLS

E-mail resume, cover letter, and one-page writing sample to: Resumes@latinopolicyforum.org

Subject: “Education Policy Associate”

Deadline to submit is July 29^th