About CLASP

Founded 50 years ago in Washington, D.C., the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, anti-poverty organization advancing federal, state, and local policy solutions for people with low incomes. We view all our work through a racial equity lens, addressing the barriers people face because of race, ethnicity, and immigration status. CLASP works across all levels of government. Our federal policy work is informed by our technical assistance to states and local areas/institutions. And our ability to provide technical assistance is enhanced by our knowledge of federal policy.

CLASP seeks a Policy Analyst who will work as part of a team of advocates to increase access to high-quality child care and early education for children and families with low incomes. Because early care and education are so crucial both to children’s and parents’ life opportunities, the team focuses on promoting policies that support both child development and the needs of their parents or caregivers. CLASP’s work focuses on solutions to the particular challenges children and families with low incomes face in accessing the quality child care and early education opportunities of their choosing, including barriers related to race, language, culture, and immigration status. In addition, the team brings its expertise in child development—including the importance of parents’ wellbeing and family economic stability—to public debates about policy related to immigration, health and wellbeing, and the stability and quality of low-wage work.

Job Responsibilities  
The Policy Analyst will support the team’s effective advocacy for people with low incomes and people of color on a wide range of early childhood issues, including infant and toddler wellbeing; child care and child care subsidy policies; two-generation state policies; maternal and child health; and the intersection of civil rights, immigrant rights and early childhood. Specific responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Analyzing state and federal child care and early education policies, including developing cost estimates or estimates of the impacts of public policy, especially on immigrant families or families of color;
• Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data (including federal datasets) on young children and their families, including data that relate to disparities for families with low incomes, families of color, and immigrant families, and translating data for policymakers and advocates;
• Researching and writing high-quality reports, policy analyses, and issue briefs in substantive areas of work;
• Writing commentaries and blogs that address urgent policy issues, often by providing data or research to inform the debate; 
• Providing support through research, writing, editing, and/or data analysis for Congressional advocacy (for example, testimony by senior CLASP officials before Congressional committees, or briefings for Congressional staff) on issues relating to young children and family wellbeing;
• Supporting the provision of high-quality technical assistance to state policymakers and advocates to assist them in improving their policies and practices; and
• Active participation in the child care and early education team and CLASP-wide activities (such as CLASP’s Racial Equity working group and others).

Qualifications 
The successful candidate will have a passion for driving change on behalf of families with low incomes and the commitment, skills, and experience to work with an extraordinary team to make that change happen.

• Demonstrated commitment to CLASP’s mission of reducing poverty and improving the lives of people with low incomes.
• Commitment to understanding the structural implications of income, racial, and ethnic inequities on communities, families, and individuals and to promoting equity through policymaking. 
• Demonstrated capacity to set priorities; work on multiple complex and detail-oriented projects, often on a time-sensitive basis; and work effectively individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to flexibly apply existing skills and knowledge to new content areas, tasks, or projects and to do so with increasing independence. 
• Strong policy analysis skills, including the capacity to understand complex legislative and regulatory provisions, assess the political and budgetary context, and craft policy options.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills and ability to analyze large data sets.
• Outstanding writing and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and creatively synthesize policy priorities for policymakers, advocates, and the general public.
• Knowledge of policies impacting poverty and racial equity desired with knowledge of child care and early education programs and/or child development a plus; ideally acquired through volunteer or paid work and/or personal experience in addition to academic study. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Excel and Power Point is required, proficiency in a statistical analysis program such as Stata, SPSS, or R, is a plus.
• Proficiency in Spanish a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years of related experience or a master’s or other advanced degree.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally (estimated at 10% of the time).
• Candidate must be based in Washington, D.C. 

Application Process

Salary is commensurate with experience. CLASP offers exceptional benefits, including health insurance; dental insurance; life and long-term disability insurance; long-term care insurance; a 403(b)-retirement program; flexible spending accounts; and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE. 
 
The Center for Law and Social Policy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.