Sr. Policy Analyst

ABOUT ZERO TO THREE

Founded in 1977, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society with the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Our Core Values Statement: We believe that how we do our work is as important as what we do. To learn more about ZERO TO THREE, please visit our website at zerotothree.org.

SUMMARY

The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, a nonpartisan, research-based resource for policymakers and advocates focused on the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers, is seeking a Sr. Policy Analyst, focused on Perinatal, Infant, and Early Childhood Mental Health (PIECMH). The position leads federal policy analysis and strategy focused on strengthening the systems, services, and workforce needed to support the mental health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum people, infants, young children, and their families.

The Senior Policy Analyst represents ZERO TO THREE in meetings with Congress, federal agencies, national partners, and coalitions. The position develops policy, legislative, and advocacy materials and works closely with internal teams, external partners, and policymakers to advance legislative and administrative priorities. This position contributes to the overall work of the Policy Center.

This position is grant funded and future employment is contingent on available funding. The successful candidate must live in the District of Columbia (DC) metropolitan area and may be required to attend in-person activities at ZERO TO THREE’s Washington, DC office as well as attend activities throughout the DC metro area (Congress, federal  buildings, etc. ).

The Policy Center is urgently hiring for this position and will begin phone interviews November 16th for this role. If you are interested, please submit your materials as soon as possible. Any application that does not include all the required resume, cover letter, and writing sample will not be considered.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Strategy and Implementation

• Develop and implement strategies to advance ZERO TO THREE’s federal PIECMH agenda.
• Work across internal ZERO TO THREE teams and with external consultants, researchers, practitioners, advocates, and community partners to develop and advance PIECMH agenda and other policy priorities as assigned
• Ensure policy strategies are grounded in early childhood development science, informed by families and professionals, and centered on equitable access and outcomes.
• Connect PIECMH priorities with ZERO TO THREE’s broader federal and state policy agenda.

Policy Expertise and Analysis

• Maintain and grow deep knowledge of PIECMH policy, including relevant federal legislation, regulations, funding streams, and administrative initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze federal policies and programs affecting pregnant and postpartum people, infants, young children, and their families.
• Provide timely analysis of legislative, regulatory, budgetary, and administrative developments and assess their potential effects on infants, toddlers, families, providers, and communities.
• Analyze policies related to perinatal and maternal mental health; infant and early childhood mental health consultation; Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment services; community-based behavioral health; pediatric primary care and integrated care; early care and education; home visiting; family support; workforce development; and prevention, early identification, referral, and treatment, and other topics as assigned.

Government Relations and Technical Assistance

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with congressional staff, federal agency officials, national organizations, professional associations, advocates, and coalition partners.
• Represent ZERO TO THREE in congressional, administrative, and coalition meetings.
• Provide technical assistance to federal policymakers and staff, including legislative language, report language, policy recommendations, regulatory comments, program guidance, and research related to early development and mental health.
• Work with the Government Relations team and consultants to develop and execute strategies involving multiple congressional committees and federal agencies.
• Support congressional briefings, webinars, stakeholder meetings, hearings, conference calls, and other policy-focused events.
• Participate in coalitions and collaborative policy tables and build alignment around shared PIECMH priorities.
• Track legislative and administrative activity and communicate developments, risks, decisions, and opportunities across the federal policy team.

Communication, Collaboration, and Political Acumen

• Develop clear, compelling, and evidence-informed policy and advocacy materials for policymakers, advocates, professionals, families, funders, and other audiences.
• Draft and oversee policy briefs, legislative and regulatory analyses, testimony, regulatory comments, congressional report language, fact sheets, talking points, blog posts, newsletter updates, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Communicate complex mental health, developmental science, and policy concepts in accessible language for audiences with different levels of subject-matter knowledge.
• Serve as an engaged and thoughtful external representative of ZERO TO THREE at congressional briefings, hearings, conferences, coalition meetings, webinars, and other public forums.
• Collaborate across ZERO TO THREE teams to connect PIECMH priorities with maternal and child health, early care and education, family support, economic security, and professional development.
• Contribute policy expertise and written content to grant proposals, funder reports, project plans, and other organizational materials.
• Follow established processes for coordinating, tracking, and communicating legislative and administrative work across the Policy Center.
• Contribute to the overall strategy, effectiveness, and collaborative culture of the Policy Center and ZERO TO THREE.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the department.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of three to five years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government relations, mental health policy, maternal and child health, early childhood policy, or a related field.
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes
• Experience working on Capitol Hill, in a federal agency, or in a national policy or advocacy organization is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of federal legislative, regulatory, budget, and administrative processes.
• Demonstrated emerging or working knowledge of PIECMH policy and the systems serving pregnant and postpartum people, infants, young children, and families.
• Understanding of early relationships, caregiver well-being, social and emotional development, prevention, early intervention, and developmentally appropriate mental health services.
• Skill in researching, reading, analyzing, and evaluating complex policy documents, legislation, regulations, budgets, and program proposals.
• Ability to assess the effects of policy proposals on infants, toddlers, families, providers, and communities and operationalize equity-centered practices.
• Understanding of how interpersonal, institutional, and structural barriers affect access to services and outcomes.
• Excellent reasoning, political judgment, problem-solving, strategic-thinking, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with policymakers, advocates, practitioners, researchers, families, and other stakeholders.
• Experience participating in coalitions, coordinating partners, or building consensus among organizations with different perspectives and priorities.
• Ability to translate technical policy, research, developmental science, and mental health information into clear, accessible language
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams, consultants, and partners.
• Strong project management, organization, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and time-sensitive developments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and related collaboration tools.
• Ability to travel, including occasional overnight travel.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, social work, psychology, mental health, public health, maternal and child health, early childhood education, or a related field required. A master’s degree is preferred. Relevant professional experience may be considered in place of higher education.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be low $80,000s to low $90,000s depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

• Encourages and practices critical thinking
• Is self-reflective and empathic
• Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results
• Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others
• Awareness of the influence of the larger context on individual behavior
• Collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing this job. Depending on work location, the incumbent will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned office, with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and fluorescent light with low to moderate noise levels or be subject to working conditions conducive to a home environment. When travel is expected, the incumbent will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during those times.

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to provide individual feedback to candidates regarding the status of their application. If selected to move forward in the process, someone from the hiring team will contact you regarding next steps.