For nearly 40 years, nonprofit AccessLex Institute® has been partnering with our member institutions – the nearly 200 state-affiliated and nonprofit ABA-approved law schools – to meet the ever-changing needs and challenges of law students and the legal education community we serve. From providing free resources for every step of the law school journey to maximizing the value and affordability of a law degree through research and policy advocacy, we exist to increase access and further the success of aspiring lawyers from admission to law school to admission to the bar. Helix Bar Review is our latest service in pursuit of our nonprofit mission – empowering the next generation of lawyers. Learn more at AccessLex.org and HelixBarReview.org.

Salary range for this position is $75,000-85,000 based on experience. Incumbent should live in DC area.

Job Summary: The Policy Associate is a member of the AccessLex Institute Center for Legal Education Excellence and reports to the Vice President of Policy. The Policy Associate supports the Company in furthering its federal legislative, regulatory and administrative policy goals by: compiling and analyzing relevant data, legislation and policy proposals; drafting issue briefs and infographics; and developing advocacy resources.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of federal financial aid data using publicly available datasets to determine how programs and policies may impact students’ ability to finance advanced education. On an annual basis, update the state data sheets used by the Policy team in its advocacy with Members of Congress.
• Monitor, review, and provide detailed analysis of external reports, policy proposals and trends to determine the impact on the Company, its member schools, and their students; provide succinct summaries on this impact to the Vice President of Policy and others at the Company.
• Draft memos. issue briefs, blog posts, infographics and slide presentations that present findings, analyses and policy positions through narrative prose and/or data visualizations.
• Compile and update, as needed, a database of Congressional staff contacts based on committee membership and support or opposition to the Company’s policy positions.
• Maintain and update on a regular basis an internal tracking system and database of federal legislation from the current legislative sessions relevant to the Company’s policy positions. Identify bills that the Company may want to take a position on.
• In collaboration with others on the Policy team, support the development of resources for the #MakeTheCase advocacy campaign related to the Company’s Higher Education Act reauthorization recommendations, including talking points, sample emails/letters, and fact sheets.
• Update and maintain the Company’s web-based advocacy platform (Voter Voice) used in the #MakeTheCase campaign. Collaborate and coordinate with others on the Policy and Marketing teams, as needed.
• Work with the Company’s Marketing team to update policy and advocacy content on the Company’s website, as needed.
• Effectively manage deadlines and multiple tasks.
• Ability to travel as needed; expected to be no greater than 10 percent of time.
• Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Requirements:

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). To succeed in the Policy Associate position, candidates should possess the following KSAs:
  • REQUIRED
    • Dedication and commitment to AccessLex Institute’s mission and goals.
    • Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
    • Strong policy analysis skills, including the capacity to understand and use data to assess the strengths and weaknesses of policy options.
    • An ability to communicate complex information to non-expert audiences, including policymakers, member schools and students.
    • Experience using data analysis tools such as Microsoft Excel and PowerStats.
    • Excellent attention to detail, organizational and time management skills.
    • Demonstrated track record of strong writing, analytical and data visualization skills.
  • PREFERRED
    • Knowledge of federal student aid policy and the Higher Education Act.
    • Knowledge of the federal legislative, regulatory and administrative processes.
    • Demonstrated track record of project management and coordination.
    • Self-directed and self-motivated, with the ability to think and work independently on a day-to-day basis.
    • Ability to work as a part of a larger cross-functional team to accomplish larger Company goals.
  • Background Experiences. The following are required unless otherwise noted:
    • Bachelor’s degree in a field such as law, public policy, political science, economics or sociology.
    • A graduate or professional degree in one of these fields is preferred.
    • For applicants with a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 3 years of professional public policy analysis experience beyond the bachelor’s degree.
    • For applicants with a graduate or professional degree, a minimum of 1 year of professional public policy analysis experience beyond the graduate/professional degree.
    • Previous experience working on education policy and advocacy at other associations, think tanks, legislative offices or executive agencies is preferred.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, exempt position located in a remote office. The incumbent is expected to be present and accessible for at least 40 hours per week, subject to approved leave time, travel and other absences as described in the Employee Handbook or as otherwise agreed by the Company. The Company’s standard hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: AccessLex Institute provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.