The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is a national, nonpartisan, anti-poverty organization advancing policy solutions that work for people with low incomes and people of color. We advocate for public policies and programs at the federal, state, and local levels that reduce poverty, improve the lives of people with low incomes, and advance racial and economic justice. Our solutions directly address the barriers that individuals and families face because of race, ethnicity, low income, and immigration status.

For more than 50 years, we have kept our vision alive through trusted expertise on policy and strategy, knowledgeable and committed staff, partnerships with directly impacted people and grassroots leaders, and approaches to economic and racial justice that are bold, innovative, and inclusive.

Within our broad anti-poverty mission, CLASP is organized around five policy teams: Child Care and Early Education; Education, Labor, and Worker Justice; Income and Work Supports; Immigration and Immigrant Families; and Youth Policy.

CLASP Values for Racial Equity

We understand that inclusion is only the first step toward fostering sustainable racial equity, in our society and organizational culture. At CLASP, we value the importance of including multiple perspectives in shaping our organizational culture and engaging in our policy and advocacy efforts. However, we also know that to move beyond inclusion and achieve true racial equity, we must be intentional in centering and prioritizing the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of people of color. At CLASP, racial equity is our core value and informs all aspects of our organizational culture and the way we think about and approach our policy, issue, and advocacy areas. For true and sustainable change to happen in our country, historically white-founded and led policy and advocacy organizations must commit to full and immersive racial equity.

CLASP seeks a Policy Analyst who will work on 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 is 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 and addressing barriers they face related to race[TS1] , 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 jobs paying low wages.

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 subsidy policies; two-generation policies; maternal and child health; and the intersection of civil rights, racial justice, immigrant rights, and early childhood. Specific responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Analyzing state and federal child care and early education policies that impact families with low incomes, especially those who are also immigrant families or families of color;
• Researching and writing high-quality reports, policy analyses, and issue briefs in substantive areas of work;
• Supporting the provision of high-quality technical assistance to state policymakers and advocates to assist them in improving their policies and practices;
• Writing commentaries and blogs that address urgent policy issues, often by providing data or research to inform the debate;
• Supporting advocacy to Congress (for example, testimony by senior CLASP officials before Congressional committees, or briefings for Congressional staff) and the Administration (including federal agencies) through research, writing, editing, and/or data analysis on issues relating to young children and family wellbeing;
• Connecting and fostering the link and feedback loop between federal and state child care and early education development, implementation, and bill design;
• Participating actively within the child care and early education team, CLASP-wide activities (such as CLASP’s racial equity working group and others), and external working groups as needed.

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 both individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to 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, as well as assess the political and budgetary context and policy options.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and creatively synthesize policy priorities for policymakers, advocates, and the general public.
• Knowledge in one or more of the following policy areas desired: poverty, racial equity, child care and early education programs, and/or child development; ideally acquired through volunteer or paid work and/or personal experience in addition to academic study.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills and ability to analyze large data sets.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and to manage work across projects and people.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Excel and Power Point, is required.
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus but not required.
• 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. or willing to relocate.

COVID Policy:

We have a mandatory vaccine policy as a condition of employment (applicable accommodations apply).

Compensation: 

Salary Range: $62,000 – 73,000

Salary is commensurate with experience. CLASP offers exceptional benefits, including several health insurances options, dental insurance, vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, a 403(b)-retirement program, and flexible spending accounts, as well as generous vacation, paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, and holiday schedules.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please include a cover letter with your submission. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

CLASP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.