The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is an entrepreneurial public education reform organization.  We are working to expand excellence within the charter school sector by strengthening the performance and accountability of all charter schools, closing the lowest performing 15 percent of schools, and approving or expanding an even greater number of excellent schools. 

NACSA is a professional membership organization whose members are the agencies that approve and oversee charter schools.  NACSA seeks an entrepreneurial Director for State and Federal Policy to provide support for the full range of NACSA’s policy work; aid in the development and implementation of the organization’s advocacy strategies; build and manage relationships with broad and diverse coalitions; conduct ongoing research and analysis of charter school authorizing policies and legislative proposals; facilitate input and deliberation by stakeholders on policy development; draft statutory and regulatory language; assist in the writing, production and dissemination of key policy positions and related reports; and represent the organization and its values and priorities in all dealings with internal and external audiences.  The Director will report to the Vice President for Policy and Advocacy.

Role and Major Responsibilities
The Director’s responsibilities include:

• Promote NACSA’s policy agenda in states and to the Federal government;
• Build relationships and manage collaborations and interactions with partner organizations;
• Assist the President, Vice-President for Policy and Advocacy, and the organization’s leadership team in the implementation of the organization’s policy and advocacy strategies;
• Actively monitor all relevant charter school legislation at the state and federal level;
• Actively monitor current legislative agendas and positions of other education reform organizations;
• Draft statutory and regulatory language and provide amendments to existing statutes and regulations for use in model authorizer bills and proposals before various policymaking bodies;
• Remain current on emerging issues in the charter school and education reform sectors and assist in developing policy responses;
• Assist in the development of policy publications and help research policy positions as required; and
• Assist the Vice President and other members of the staff in the planning and support for the organization’s policy-related events as well as the development of policy content for the annual conference.

Expected Results

• Sixty percent of states with charter school laws will have policies in place that reflect at least 60 percent of our state-level policy agenda;
• NACSA will have systems in place to monitor and track state and federal policy change; and
• NACSA will have systems and strategies that allow the organization to promote changes in policy that advance our goals in states and at the federal level.

Desired Competencies

• Influencing policymakers and achieving objectives in state and federal policy;
• Managing relationships and partnerships with diverse organizations and stakeholders;
• Supporting the work and education of national and state elected leaders, including building support for and understanding of complex policy objectives;
• Sensitivity to state and local political contexts that influence the politics of advocacy efforts;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to create reports, draft statutory language, and contribute to the development and delivery of NACSA resource materials;
• Attention to detail demonstrated by timely and accurate project completion;
• Strong organizational and analytical skills including the ability to plan and execute a course of action to accomplish objectives and the use of knowledge and experience to address problems and opportunities;
• Good interpersonal skills and team orientation including the development of cooperative relationships with coworkers and working toward solutions that generally benefit all parties;
• Demonstrated individual initiative and flexibility including exceeding expectation, planning ahead for upcoming challenges or opportunities and managing change effectively;
• Sound judgment and decision-making abilities including the utilization of a range of inputs in a logical manner to address problems in a timely and effective fashion; and
• Proven results orientation with a focus on achieving or surpassing targets and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Desired Knowledge/Experience

• Baccalaureate degree required;
• Three to five years experience in the public affairs, policy or communications field;
• Experience in the drafting of legislative proposals required;
• Knowledge of education policy issues and trends, with experience in the charter school sector preferred; and
• Facility in Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point required.

Location/Travel
NACSA’s headquarters is located in Chicago.  Location in Chicago is preferred.  Significant travel is expected.

Compensation
$75,000 - $90,000 annual salary commensurate with experience and salary history; full benefits.
NACSA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

To apply, please email cover letter, resume and salary requirements to jobs@qualitycharters.org   

No phone inquiries please.