Child Care Policy Specialist

Overview

The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care (OCC), is looking for a Child Care Policy Specialist to join its team. OCC administers child care funding to states, territories, and tribes to provide child care assistance to eligible families and to increase the availability and enhance the quality of child care and development services. This position will develop and interpret policy directives and guidance for states, territories, and tribes in the administration of child care assistance programs. The work involves a range of activities, including writing policy documents, reports, and other materials; analyzing data, research, and other information to inform policy development; explaining policies to a variety of audiences; and responding to policy questions from grantees and stakeholders.

What You Will Do/Roles and Responsibilities:

• Write regulations and sub-regulatory policy guidance (Program Instructions, Information Memoranda, Policy Interpretation Questions, Dear Colleague Letters, and FAQs).
• Draft policy responses to questions from states, territories, and tribes, as well as issues arising from program operations, monitoring, and oversight activities.
• Prepare talking points, slides, and presentations for grantees and other stakeholders about new policy guidance, programs, and initiatives.
• Review and analyze statutes and pending legislation, and provide technical assistance on draft bills.
• Draft Congressional testimony and responses to Congressional requests and questions.
• Research and draft legislative proposals that reflect Administration priorities.
• Support subject-matter experts and build expertise in child care policy issues.
• Analyze and compile data, research, and information, and prepare summaries, tables, and reports to inform policymaking at the federal and state levels.
• Coordinate with technical assistance, program operations, monitoring, and research teams regarding policy issues.
• Review and provide comments and updates on reports and other documents prepared by governmental and non-governmental entities (e.g., GAO, OIG).
• Prepare report, including reports for Congress.
• Support budget formulation, performance measurement, financial management, grantee reporting, and other activities, as assigned.

What You Will Need/Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of FOUR (4) years of experience.
• Knowledge of child care laws, regulations, and policies.
• Experience developing and analyzing child care policy for the federal government, a state government, a national organization, or a similar entity.
• Experience analyzing and writing complex technical components of legislation, regulations, or other policy.
• Experience in presenting information to an array of audiences.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Relevant education (Master’s degree or higher in a field involving policy analysis).
• Expertise in the use of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to analyze, summarize, and compile data and information.
• Ability to perform detail-oriented work.
• Ability to collaborate with staff from a variety of backgrounds and skill sets, and to work in a team to improve processes or systems.
• Strong oral and written communication techniques, including responding to requests both internally and externally.
• Strong prioritization and time-management skills to balance ongoing responsibilities with urgent requests.

Desired/Nice to Have Qualifications:

• Master's Degree Preferred

Compensation Range: The salary range provided is determined by market value, internal equity, and the candidate's experience and qualifications. Offers will be extended within this range, though not all candidates will receive an offer at the upper limit. JT23