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 a State and Federal Policy Analyst to provide support for the full range of NACSA’s policy work. The Analyst will: conduct research and analysis of charter school authorizing policies and legislative proposals; draft statutory and regulatory language; track the development of policy at the state and federal level; 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 Analyst will report to the Vice President for Policy and Advocacy.

Role and Major Responsibilities
The Policy Analyst’s responsibilities include:

• Assist the Vice President as well as the Director of State and Federal Policy in the development and dissemination of research and policy publications for a variety of audiences;
• Lead research of policy positions and trends, monitoring all relevant charter school legislation in state capitals and on Capitol Hill;
• Conduct analysis of public policy proposals and provide recommendations to the Vice President;
• Drafts position statements, testimony and legislative correspondence;
• 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 the legislative agendas and positions of other education reform organizations;
• 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; and
• Represent the organization and advocating for our goals before various audiences.

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 well-researched and articulated policy positions, research papers, and proposed legislation.

Desired Competencies

• 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;
• Two to Three years experience in the public affairs, policy or communications field;
• Experience in the drafting of legislative proposals preferred;
• 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.  Some travel is expected.

Compensation
$55,000 to $65,000 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.