Now Hiring: Policy Analyst, Workforce Policy

Job Title: Policy Analyst, Workforce Policy

Reports To: Director, Workforce Policy

Location: Washington, DC

About the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies (the Joint Center), America’s Black think tank, provides compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. We are the trusted forum for leading experts and scholars to participate in public policy debates and promote ideas that advance Black communities. We use evidence-based research, analysis, convenings, and strategic communications to support Black communities and a network of allies.

Currently, the Joint Center focuses on:

• Economic Policy, which centers Black communities in policy debates about workforce policy, small business, economic development, tax policy, and household economic security.
• Workforce Policy. which centers Black workers in policy debates concerning the future of work, workforce development, and access to good jobs.
• Technology Policy, which is dedicated to exploring the impact of emerging technologies and developing policy solutions to improve the lives of Black communities.
• Hill Diversity, which analyzes staff diversity on the Hill and applauds members of Congress with diverse staffers.

The Opportunity

The Joint Center’s growing Workforce Policy Program develops and disseminates data and solutions that prioritize Black workers and learners today and in the future. The Policy Analyst, Workforce Policy will help the Joint Center promote policies and partnerships that ensure all Black communities have access to high-quality, well-funded pathways to economic mobility. The Policy Analyst, Workforce Policy will examine the changing nature of work for Black workers, including how industrial policy, public narratives, higher education, and evolving social contracts between employers and employees affect the advancement of Black workers. They will work closely with the Joint Center’s Workforce Policy Director and Senior Policy Analysts to help develop the program’s strategic agenda, author innovative policy reports, advocate for solutions in Congress and across states, and engage with state, local, and national partners, philanthropy, and media. The Policy Analyst, Workforce Policy will embody the Joint Center’s cultural values, including a deep commitment to healthy, growing, and empowered Black communities in the United States and an unapologetic focus on and prioritizing Black people, and disseminating accurate data, research, and solutions that reflect Black interests.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Research, review, compile, and analyze data and information on a broad range of topics related to workforce development, job quality, and the future of work and their relationship to Black communities
• Provide analytical reviews and summaries of existing literature pertinent to assigned topics, including compiling abstracts and organizing material into bibliographic form and summaries
• Collect, assemble, and maintain datasets to conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses and create relevant recommendations that center Black workers and learners
• Track and analyze executive and legislative budget and policy proposals as they work through the appropriations and legislative process, and work with legislators and advocates to propose alternatives when needed
• Establish and maintain processes for managing multiple projects from planning through completion, including creating timelines, setting benchmarks, tracking tasks, and coordinating across teams
• Help disseminate Joint Center’s policy analysis and recommendations by authoring, co-authoring, and reviewing blogs, op-eds, briefs, reports, and other materials
• Deliver presentations to partner organizations and at community events, as well as oral testimony at legislative hearings
• Facilitate and maintain relationships with policymakers, legislative staff, government agencies, funders, and national partner organizations
• Represent the Joint Center on designated coalitions and committees and at relevant events and meetings

Preferred Qualifications

• Culture and mission-driven – passionate about the Joint Center’s mission of using research to eradicate barriers to the full freedom of Black people in the United States
• Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a master’s degree in public policy, public administration, government, political science or related field
• Working knowledge of key trends in poverty, labor policy, workforce education, racial equity, and economic mobility
• Some experience working with policymakers, advocates, and other constituencies to develop policy options and strategies to achieve desired change
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write across several formats, including reports, briefs, legislative testimony, public presentations, blogs and op-eds
• Strong research skills, including proficiency in Excel and experience interpreting and organizing qualitative and quantitative data
• Familiarity with relevant national and/or state and local data sets, as well with STATA, SPSS, or alternative statistical analysis tools are a plus but not required

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $77,500-90,000. Benefits include 100 percent employer-sponsored healthcare, dental, and vision; as well as short and long-term disability, and life insurance coverage. Generous PTO, quarterly mental health days, and no internal meeting on Fridays. After one year of employment, up to a 5 percent match in our 403(b) plan.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter to recruiting@jointcenter.org. Please include the position title in the subject line.