Senior Associate, Data & Technology Innovation

Job Title: Senior Associate, Data & Technology Innovation

Position Supervisor: Assistant Director, Process Innovation

Classification Level: Exempt

Location: Arlington, VA / Hybrid

Position Timeline: October 2027

APHSA is recruiting new talent! We seek an ambitious new hire who is efficient and successful at managing projects that bring people, technology, and community together to advance customer-centered improvements in delivering public benefits.

APHSA is an association representing state and local health and human services agencies. With and through these members, we work to advance solutions centered on administering, overseeing, and aligning programs to provide access to food, health care, housing, employment, childcare, community support, and other key building blocks.

Join a team of dedicated professionals who are results-oriented and impact systems nationwide! Our team at APHSA needs a person like you who leans forward and feels comfortable engaging with teammates, thought leaders, and partners. We’re seeking an innovative, solution-oriented action-taker who will add to our collaborative team environment.

We seek someone who thrives in a team environment. We need someone comfortable working on multiple cross-functional internal teams to advance the internal and external work with kindness, compassion, inclusion, and a can-do spirit.

Your direct supervisor and coach will be the Assistant Director, Process Innovation. Your support will be the entire APHSA organization because we work best when we all work together!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Associate for Data & Technology Innovation will support and drive data and technology-focused projects within APHSA’s Process Innovation portfolio. This role blends project management, partner collaboration, and strategic innovation, requiring a balance of technical expertise and strong relationship-building skills. The position will work closely with state health, human services, and labor agencies, engage with APHSA learning communities focused on digital and technical advancements, and collaborate with partner networks to expand APHSA’s impact in supporting technology-driven process innovation within human services agencies.

Supervisor Responsibilities: No

Major Responsibility #1: Lead the successful implementation of APHSA data and technology innovation projects (70%).

• In partnership with other project team members, develop and manage detailed project schedules and work plans for the Process Innovation portfolio of contracts and grants
• Provide direct technical assistance on technical and data-driven alignment tactics to support state and local human services agencies participating in process innovation grant projects
• Support cohort learning and peer-to-peer support across participating project sites
• Develop and manage reporting requirements for participating project sites
• Assist with developing knowledge content, distilling insights and lessons learned from site-based projects for broader APHSA member field support
• Support events and design of web-based platforms that document resources and build knowledge base on process innovation for human services agencies

Major Responsibility #2: Support Lead the development of digital resources and products to enhance sector capacity for modernizing systems and services (15%).

• Deliver presentations and facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing through APHSA platforms to share insights from project-based work and expand APHSA membership.
• Support the creation of work products such as blogs, issue briefs, webinars, toolkits, infographics, and literature reviews that display a sophisticated understanding of Process Innovation across human services.
• Support cross-functional project teams, including assisting with project-related tasks within APHSA and across core partnerships.
• Monitor and assess the use of online peer support and learning tools.

Major Responsibility #3: Coordinate partnerships and collaboration across the Process Innovation Portfolio (10%).

• Support APHSA’s affinity group of human services Chief Information Officers (IT Solutions Management for Human Services or “ISM”) and related issue committees and workgroups
• Represent APHSA at national events and stakeholder meetings related data, technology, and process innovation in human services
• Foster and expand working relationships with national and community partners in fields such as civic tech and industry to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration
• Serve as APHSA’s liaison at national events and stakeholder meetings focused on AI, data, and analytics.
• Scan the national landscape for tools and resources to incorporate into APHSA technology and interoperability strategies and to share with APHSA members, curating email, social media, publications, and other communication platforms

Other Duties #4 (5%): Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Conducting workshops or training sessions on data and technology best practices.
• Ability to work with government agencies, nonprofits, and private sector partners.
• Identifying inefficiencies and recommending solutions.
• Supporting the development and implementation of technology initiatives.
• Ability to analyze complex data and provide actionable insights.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies, Jira, or other PM tools.
• Understanding of data security, compliance, and best practices.
• Experience with databases, cloud platforms, and software solutions relevant to human services.
• Knowledge of or hands-on experience with Artificial Intelligence, Process Innovation, Business Process Change, Design Frameworks, and other related areas.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Self-organized with experience in preparing deliverables to report on grant progress and managing work plans.
• Familiarity with the interplay between policy, operations, technology, and procurement in driving process improvements within public systems is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and experienced in using Zoom for virtual meeting planning and facilitation.
• In-depth knowledge of how government agencies operate and how technology, procurement, and operations affect program services.
• Understanding of how to enhance customer experience in services aimed at improving the well-being of individuals and communities.

Education and Experience:

• BS/BA or equivalent training or experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years’ of relevant work experience.
• Strong writing and editing skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem-solving expertise, with the ability to assess risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, fostering collaboration and relationship-building with diverse stakeholders.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently, manage priorities, and handle multiple deliverables.
• Experience in a non-profit or association setting is preferred but not required.
• Proven ability to bridge technical and policy discussions, facilitating collaboration to achieve shared objectives.
• Demonstrated success in managing technical assistance projects, with a preference for experience in the public sector.
• Experience co-facilitating dynamic, issue-focused discussions on technology and policy, ideally with bipartisan government engagement.
• Understanding of how structural racism and bias impact underserved and underrepresented communities, with experience incorporating diverse perspectives.
• Strong grasp of human-centered design and equity principles as they apply to public sector technology and operations.
• Proven ability to translate between technical and policy stakeholders to drive effective solutions.

At APHSA, we value and support the health, well-being and future of our staff. Our benefit package is based on improving employee morale, which fosters a work environment where staff feel they can thrive and feel accomplished. Aside from basic benefits such as employer coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance, we also offer additional employee benefits and perks like these:

• 3% contribution to 401k or ROTH Plan
• Hybrid work environment
• Additional discretionary holidays included with 11 paid holidays
• 20 vacation days
• 15 sick/wellness days
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance
• FSA (health, dependent, commuter)
• Optional employee-paid benefits (legal, pet insurance, critical illness, accident)

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Willingness to travel (up to 15%) as public health considerations permit.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit a resume and cover letter.

This employer participates in E-Verify for employment verification.

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) is a bipartisan national membership association representing state and local health and human services agencies and the subject matter experts that help execute their mission to improve outcomes for people nationwide. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and recognize that building well-being starts with creating a space where our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic, unique selves to work.

Building on our long-standing relationships with health and human services leaders, we focus on generating pragmatic solutions that advance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.