About the Organization

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 that has 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 atwww.zerotothree.org.

Our Commitment to Diversity

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, advancement, and professional development and is dedicated to diversity in its work, its staff and with community partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional who shares our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and supports our mission to enhance outcomes for ALL children.

Summary

The Policy Analyst will support the Director, Policy and Financing in providing policy research and analysis support to the Infant Toddler Court Team Program (ITCP). The position will be a part of the National Resource Center for the Infant-Toddler Court Program, which is operated by ZERO TO THREE.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct research and provide written analysis on federal and state policy trends impacting infants, toddlers and families in or at risk of entering the child welfare system, including upstream prevention and family strengthening efforts.
• Create a formal process for tracking and vetting best practice policies for supporting families in or at risk of entering the child welfare system, including creating a policy bank of examples that can be used to support ongoing advocacy and policy work in states and communities.
• Analyze and interpret data from federal databases to inform policy briefs, presentations and other communications.
• Write policy briefs on issues related to policy, and practice for infants, toddlers and families in or at risk of entering the child welfare system, including upstream prevention and family strengthening efforts.
• Conduct research and provide written analysis on federal, state and/or local funding streams that can be used to support any of the key components of the Safe Babies Court Team (SBCT) approach, as well as wraparound services for infants, toddlers and families.
• Provide support on webinars or trainings on issues related to policy and/or funding to support infants and toddlers in the child welfare system.
• Maintain an ongoing knowledge of infant-toddler policy issues and best practices, particularly related to child welfare, public health and other early childhood systems.
• Collaborate with other members of the Infant Toddler Court Program and other ZTT teams including the state and federal policy teams, to ensure our policy messages are aligned and accurate.
• Perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the Infant Toddler Court Program.

Essential Skills and Experience

• At least 3 years of experience related to public policy research and analysis.
• Experience conducting policy research for use by decision-makers in state, local, federal government or the non-profit sector.
• Experience in analyzing and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data to inform policy.
• Experience writing policy briefs, white papers, or other types of reports for publications, including policymakers as well as practitioners in health and human services.
• Experience in making presentations and facilitating meetings.
• Knowledge of health and human services (either from policy research and/or practice) such as child welfare, early childhood development and education, health, mental health, substance use treatment and prevention and basic needs (e.g., housing, food assistance).
• Knowledge and experience of federal, state and/or local funding for human services.

Essential Qualities

• Encourages and practices critical thinking.
• Is self-reflective and empathetic.
• 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.
• Exhibits work behaviors consistent with the organization’s core values.
• Is committed to racial equity and inclusion.
• Analytical thinker able to balance thorough research, analysis and writing with time-sensitive deadlines.
• Strong writer; able to convey information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with individuals representing a range of backgrounds and skill levels.
• Comfortable working as a member of a remote team.
• Self-motivated, ability to work as part of a team and independently.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Early Childhood or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Physical Requirements

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity as well as sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, may need to remain seated for long periods, have the ability to perform repetitive motions and hold objects.  Employee may be 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. Must have the ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

Working Conditions

The work conditions described here is 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 office. When travel is expected, the incumbent will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during those times.

ZERO TO THREEis 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.