Policy Analyst

JOB SUMMARY

The Policy Analyst (PA) supports the advancement of First 5 LA’s public policy priorities by monitoring, assessing, and analyzing the policy landscape and supporting the development of policy amendments and proposals. Reporting directly to the Senior Policy Strategist, the PA collects and analyzes information; forecasts policy and budget trends; tracks and analyzes policy proposals, opportunities, and challenges; makes policy recommendations and develops policy alternatives; conducts quantitative and qualitative research; and produces reports, briefs, presentations, and other materials to help advance policy goals. As a critical member of the Office of Government Affairs and Public Policy, the PA helps develop and implement strategies to move public policy change and communicates important policy issues with First 5 LA staff and Commissioners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Policy Analyst is expected to exemplify the adopted organizational values of collaboration, integrity, learning, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the execution of their key areas of responsibility:  

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Public policy monitoring and analysis Public policy research and development Policy writing and communication

Essential Duties:

Public Policy Monitoring and Analysis

Monitors events, policy decisions, trends and other issues with implications for the political and policy landscape related to (Health Systems/Family Supports/ECE) at the local, state, and federal level Reviews and analyzes reports, data sets, policy and budget proposals, and other materials Public Policy Research and Development

Researches (Health Systems/Family Supports/ECE) public policy issues Recommends policy positions and strategies to support (Health Systems/Family Supports/ECE) policy priorities Supports the development of strategies to advance policy issues Policy Writing and Communication

Creates materials including position letters, issue briefs, policy memos, reports, presentations, and other documents Presents findings, recommendations, and other relevant information to various audiences including the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners and organization-wide leadership, strategic partners, internal staff, and policymakers Coordinates Office of Government Affairs and Public Policy communication activities and develop materials as necessary, including policy articles, public statements, interview questions, and website content Actively seeks to build own professional skills and competencies to fulfill essential duties and responsibilities and improve performance Adheres to all First 5 LA policies and procedures, ensures behaviors align accordingly, and contributes to learning that supports improvements Keeps apprised of all laws, regulations, statutes, rules and policies affecting First 5 LA and ensures compliance Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Job Specific Competencies

Policy Analyst: Knowledge of local, state, and federal government operations including legislation, budget, and policy development; ability to understand complex issues quickly and communicate them succinctly; experience in public policy; strong research and analysis skills, including but not limited to legislative and budgetary analysis; and strong writing skills

Adaptive Leadership: Is flexible and accepts change as part of the organization’s evolution; embraces complexity and uncertainty and is nimble enough to shift direction as needed; open to feedback and welcomes a variety of viewpoints; encourages creativity and innovation aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities; able to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, in varied settings and different audiences 

Strategic Management: Able to manage projects of various sizes, complexity, resources, levels of risk, and timelines in a highly organized manner and with attention to detail; able to navigate internal and external constraints and address workload issues within and across teams; demonstrates effective administrative planning and prudent management of resources 

Emotional Intelligence:  Demonstrates self-awareness, humility, empathy, and personal accountability; has a temperament that inspires trust, collaboration, and partnership between individuals, teams, and levels of leadership; ability to navigate divergence, find common ground among team members, and resolve conflict diplomatically

Organization-wide Competencies

Commitment to organizational mission and values: Mission-driven and self-directed, with a demonstrated passion for First 5 LA’s work to strengthen families and improve child outcomes; strives to model organizational values through daily actions and behaviors

Possesses Customer-Focused Mindset: Ability to identify appropriate and relevant stakeholders; identifies internal and external stakeholders needs (customers); is responsive to stakeholder needs, considers impact when making recommendations

Collaborative: Collaborates with peers to drive results in alignment with organizational and operational goals in support of the organization’s mission; is able to work in cross-functional teams; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials and the general public

Communicates Effectively: Communicates effectively both written and oral; strong presentation skills; demonstrates ability to develop and deliver relevant and appropriate communications; delivers messages in a direct manner; able to tailor messages appropriately to various audiences

Demonstrates Integrity and Judgment: Follows through on commitments letting others know of their true intentions; ensures decision-making or recommendations are fact-based, and others understand the decision/recommendation before moving forward; considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one

Demonstrates Critical Thinking: Applies critical thinking, logic and reasoning to analyze complex problems and information; identifies relative strengths and weaknesses of options, solutions or approaches

Demonstrates Strategic Thinking: Identifies key issues and relationships relevant to achieving long range goals or vision; develops alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values to develop a point of view on a course of action to accomplish goals; develops priorities with the right balance of short and long-term wins

Demonstrates Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Supports equal and active participation and mutual respect; supports participation of people and groups with diverse identities, races, ethnicities, abilities, characteristics, cultures, socio-economic statuses, opinions, and beliefs; continuously challenges assumptions, and is mindful of unconscious bias, and leverages differences; understands historical and current context and root causes of inequities within society, systems and institutions; actively involves and reflects with the community First 5 LA serves

Experience:

Minimum of three years of experience in policy analysis, research, implementation, or a related field preferred

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in policy, public administration, public affairs, political science, economics, research science, or other relevant field preferred

Computer Skills:

Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) Advanced ability to use virtual engagement formats (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Sli-do, etc.)  Ability to use widely supported internet browsers

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions Valid automobile liability insurance

Travel Requirements:

This position may require travel locally, statewide and nationally as needed 

Vaccination Requirements:

First 5 LA requires that all covered employees provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee will sit, talk, hear and use hands up to 2/3 of the time. The employee will stand and walk up to 1/3 of the time. The employee is routinely required to carry and/or lift up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.