Policy and Advocacy Associate

Educate Texas Vision 

All Texas students, especially African-American, Latino or economically disadvantaged students, earn a college degree or credential that leads to a living wage and thriving communities. 

Educate Texas Mission 

As a trusted change agent, we increase academic achievement and educational equity by leading programs, policy and partnerships. 

Educate Texas Values 

Equity, Collaboration, Integrity, Impact, Learning 

Summary 

​​​The Policy and Advocacy team’s mission is to empower state-level decision-makers to take evidence-based actions that ensure student success in public and higher education both today and in the future. The policy and advocacy associate directly contributes to this mission by collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing findings from data and research to inform policy and grant proposals, educate policymakers, and invest advocacy partners. The associate supports policy communications, outreach, and project management across key policy priorities, including effective teaching, college and career readiness, postsecondary education and workforce, as well as sustaining the reforms from the 86th legislative session in HB3. In addition, the associate has a pivotal role in supporting Educate Texas’s policy councils, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and monitoring and analyzing proposed legislation and regulatory action. 

The position is based in Austin, and the successful candidate must reside locally or be willing to relocate. Candidates must be willing to travel overnight (both in/out of state) up to ​​15% of the time. 

Key Responsibilities 

​​​Project and Event Management: Effectively support the planning and progress monitoring of multiple projects concurrently. Support internal organizational processes and project and team management tools to foster collaboration for external impact. Organize meaningful engagement opportunities for stakeholders to interact with each other, experts, and policymakers under the supervision of others within the organization. Efficiently plan virtual and in-person events with a stakeholder-centered focus and attention to detail – often needing to balance competing scheduling and logistical considerations to ensure a successful experience for stakeholders.  

Organizing and Advocacy: Support strategic opportunities for stakeholders to engage with policymakers and advocate for evidence-based policy solutions that drive student success. Identify opportunities to expand and deepen the organization’s partnerships and relationships with school, family, advocacy, and business communities across the state and to strengthen the coordination between Educate Texas program and policy work. Serve as a trusted liaison with these groups and seek opportunities to amplify their voices to inform policymaking and implementation. Assist in planning convenings for Educate Texas’s policy councils and other stakeholder groups.  

Data Analysis and Research: Accurately and efficiently collect, analyze, and manage quantitative and qualitative data and policy research from national, state, and community resources to inform policy proposals and other products.  

Product Development: ​​Support the development of high-quality written and online products, persuasive messaging, and compelling marketing materials for diverse stakeholders that serve a range of purposes including raising public awareness, educating policymakers, coordinating coalitions, or catalyzing legislative action. Support an effective stakeholder outreach strategy.  

Grant Management, Budget and Development: Assist Policy and Advocacy leadership to monitor budgets and support fundraising efforts related to policy priorities, including developing content for proposals, grant reporting, monitoring grant deliverables and to support funder relationships. 

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree required 

At least 3 years of relevant work experience with policy and advocacy 

Experience with at least one of the following: 

Coalition organizing experience (digital organizing experience a plus) 

Experience in marketing, communications, and/or social media management, in non-profit or public sector context preferred  

Experience working with the policymaking process with a legislative body, state or federal agency, education advocacy organization, or other relevant policymaking body 

Experience collecting, cleaning, or analyzing large public sector data sets and translating them into clear, visually pleasing, and effective products 

Familiarity with public and higher education policy issues and strong interest in deepening understanding of the issues across public and private sectors 

Skills & Requirements 

Expertise in oral and written communication, including the ability to communicate complex policy ideas into practical and accessible language for diverse audiences using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Social Media 

Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders in a professional setting. 

Experience evaluating policy language and program or policy implementation 

Superlative self-efficacy and project management skills, including demonstrated record managing against deadlines, monitoring outcomes, strategic prioritization, tracking progress with frequent job and task ambiguity 

Mindset of self-reflection and continuous improvement  

​​​Ability to give, receive, and act on feedback to and from supervisors and peers with a focus on team development  

Exhibit a high degree of professionalism, business judgment, tact, and diplomacy  

Commitment to advancing equitable student outcomes, particularly for underserved populations 

Effectively model and demonstrate CFT’s core competencies which include Collaboration, Impact and Problem Solving, Integrity and Accountability, Learning, and Internal and External Service 

Disclaimer:   The above sections contain representative examples of job duties that might be performed by employees assigned to this classification. CFT is a dynamic organization, and the environment can be fluid. Roles and responsibilities may be altered to accommodate changing conditions and objectives as well as to tap into the skills and experience of its employees. Accordingly, employees may be asked to perform duties that are outside the specific work that is listed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees within this class. 

Accommodations:  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.