Policy Associate

Position Description:

The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) is a professional research society established in 1933 by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences. Our diverse membership of more than 4,000 scientists contributes to the child development field. Within our Policy Department, we advance our members interests in science advocacy, we implement a federal, Congressional and state-level Fellowship program, and we advance evidence-based policymaking.

We are looking for a motivated and skilled Policy Associate to join our Policy Department and help us improve the lives of children and families. You will be joining us at an exciting moment for our policy work. We have just launched the Child Policy Hub, a new suite of policy programs that will transform how we approach policy. Hub programs will connect policymakers and researchers, train researchers on policy, and produce policy briefs on pressing issues facing children and families.

Specifically, you will support our ongoing Policy Fellowship program and drive forward several of the new programs within the Child Policy Hub. You will report to the Policy Manager and work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization to achieve these goals. As our Policy Associate, you will have front-row access to the professional development activities that our Policy Fellows have, allowing you to grow your understanding of the policy field.

You will be an ambitious policymaker, with a passion for evidence-based policymaking. You have experience in program management and have exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to edit and create engaging video content, create slideshows, and more. Finally, you will be driven to make children and families’ lives better.

Major Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• Support and contribute to our SRCD U.S. Policy Fellowship program, including reviewing how to drive greater diversity, equity and inclusion within the Fellowship program, implementing a formalized alumni program, updating annual recruitment campaign materials, and supporting with annual selection processes.
• Support the creation of Child Policy Connect, a new program to connect SRCD researchers to answer Congressional offices’ questions, including building and maintaining relationships with Congressional offices, organizing and supporting Hill days, supporting the creation of the website, coordinating with scholars, considering diversity, equity, and inclusion in plans, and more.
• Support the creation of Child Policy Trainings, an expanded suite of policy trainings for researchers, including supporting with the coordination and administration of the 2025 Biennial Meeting’s policy track sessions, editing videos for online courses, creating presentations, supporting policy webinars, writing blogs, and more.
• Work with the Communications Department to support the creation of new online policy resources, courses, briefs, and programs for SRCD members.
• Synthesize academic literature into short policy briefs and other materials (e.g., fact sheets, memos, briefings, presentations, webinars, and website content), applying strong scientific methodological expertise and incorporating expert’s input.
• Monitor science and child & family policy activities in relevant agencies, in Congress and at the state-level.
• Develop targeted dissemination plans for policy-related products tailored to key policy audiences.
• Assist with the production of the regular Policy Update e-newsletter, policy briefs, webinars, and other activities or events, as needed.
• Assist in the coordination of SRCD’s other policyrelated
• activities and events, as needed.

Required Skills

We strive to use diversity, equity and inclusion best practices at SRCD. This means we will use a skills-based interview system. This system looks for that spark of potential, based on concrete examples of the skills you need to do this job. We will score you on the following four skills in both your cover letter and your interview:

• Communication: Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, adapting communications for different audiences to maximize understanding and impact. Be able to translate and summarize research studies into plain language. Encourage the use of different communication methods, including video editing, presentations, graphics, digital resources, icons and visual displays. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and adapts to people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.
• Project management and organization: Excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and work strands at once. Comfort with regular use of the Microsoft Suite including Outlook, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to work together: Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain strong relationships, and to work well within our team.

Required Education and Experience (these will be assessed in your written application)

• Minimum of 1
• 3 years of professional experience required, administrating programs or working with U.S. federal policymakers and/or Congressional staff. Child and family policy or advocacy experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, or related discipline (for those without a Bachelor’s degree, we will accept 4 years of relevant work experience)

To Apply:

To apply, please send (1) a resume and (2) cover letter to hr@srcd.org. The cover letter should clearly outline how you possess the skills and required years of experience for this position. Please cite specific examples of times you have exhibited the requisite skills we are searching for. It should not be longer than two pages.

We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds. We strive to be an inclusive employment environment, building diversity, equity and inclusion into all of our work. The Society for Research in Child Development is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Priority review will be given to applications submitted by Monday, November 25th.

Compensation and benefits

This is a full-time position in Washington, D.C. We are currently working in a hybrid pattern, with employees in person at our downtown office twice each week.

The salary range is $55,000-$58,000, depending on years of experience. We offer exceptional paid time off, in addition to federal holidays and an office-wide closure between Christmas and New Year. SRCD also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage. For employees with children, a tax-free savings plan can be used to help cover childcare expenses. Our exceptional parental leave policy offers up to six months of leave, depending on eligibility. Employees are eligible to participate in a retirement savings plan with a competitive match, plus a monthly commuting expense stipend.

We strongly support employees to participate in school events for their children and maintain a culture of work-life balance. We are a friendly and welcoming team, who strive to place diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of our interactions and work.