Public Policy Analyst (Research Assistant 2), Senior Public Policy Analyst (Research Assistant 3), Or Lead Public Policy Analyst (Research Associate 1) - REMOTE

University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Full-time Research

Posted on March 2, 2023

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut School of Social Work's Innovation Institute seeks qualified applicants for one or more open positions within a public policy analyst role, to be hired as Public Policy Analyst (Research Assistant 2), Senior Public Policy Analyst (Research Assistant 3), or Lead Public Policy Analyst (Research Associate 1), depending on the qualifications of the successful applicant.

The positions will be part of the School of Social Work’s growing portfolio of public policy, technical assistance, financing, and evaluation activities in partnership with local, state, and federal government agencies and organizations on behalf of children, youth, and families. Positions with Innovations Institute are fully remote with expected travel to UConn’s Hartford Campus twice annually.

The selected candidates will apply knowledge, concepts, principles, and skills to multiple projects across the Innovations Institute. These projects will include working with federal, state, and/or local governments to support sustainable financing and integrated and customized policy approaches in public child- and family-serving systems. The public policy analysts will engage in document and literature reviews; participate in and, depending on expertise, facilitate meetings, stakeholder interviews, and/or focus groups; prepare briefs, white papers, technical reports, presentations, and overview documents and analyses; and apply expert knowledge and skills related to public policy, financing, and implementation, including related to Medicaid and child welfare funding.

Positions are open for public policy analysts who will work under the direction of Deborah Harburger, Assistant Extension Professor and Director of Policy and Financing at Innovations Institute. The selected candidate may mentor or supervise other policy or program staff depending on qualifications. The selected candidates are expected to collaborate across the Innovations Institute and the School of Social Work, as well as with consultants and organizations partnering with the Innovations Institute.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Apply intermediate, in-depth knowledge, concepts, principles, and skills related to public policy, financing, and implementation, including related to Medicaid State Plans, amendments, and waivers and federal policy document development (e.g. Family First Prevention Plans).
Contribute to developing agendas for meetings. Participate in substantial portions of meetings, including with state and local leadership (e.g. state planning meetings, federal settlement agreement meetings, etc). Draft meeting notes and assist staff with implementing action steps.
Monitor key changes in children’s behavioral health, Medicaid, child welfare, and juvenile justice policy at the local, state, and national levels.
Review literature and research on current health topics. Summarize key policy topics for consumption by peers, senior leadership, or external entities.
Contribute to cost benefit analysis of proposed recommendations.
Prepare and review proposals and contracts for actions.
Draft outlines for and sections of reports, white papers, position papers, briefs, presentations, strategies, toolkits, testimonies, legislation, regulations, policy directives, implementation guidance, and impact statements for internal and external audiences.
Draft and maintain work plans.

Advanced Duties

Apply senior-level and advanced knowledge, concepts, principles, and skills related to public policy, financing, and implementation, including related to Medicaid state plans, amendments, waivers, and federal policy document development (e.g. Family First Prevention Plans).
Participate in and leads substantial portions of meetings, including with state and local leadership (e.g. state planning meetings, federal settlement agreement meetings, etc.). Draft and review meeting notes. Be responsible for key action steps and assist staff with implementing action steps.
Conduct or review cost benefit analysis of proposed recommendations.
Write reports, white papers, position papers, briefs, presentations, strategies, toolkits, testimonies, legislation, regulations, policy directives, implementation guidance, and impact statements for internal and external audiences.
Provide presentations and technical assistance to internal or external entities on specific areas of expertise.
Contribute to and manage work plans.

Opportunities May Include

Influence strategy, program, policy development, and best practices.
Engage in and facilitate strategic planning, internally and with external stakeholders, to achieve short- and long-range planning goals.
Serve as an expert resource to others internally and externally.
Work on ambiguous matters generally without precedent or structure and independently develops standardization and protocol.
Edit reports, white papers, position papers, briefs, presentations, strategies, toolkits, testimonies, legislation, regulations, policy directives, implementation guidance, and impact statements for internal and external audiences.
Serve as a subject matter expert related to financing strategies and policy options.
Use substantial latitude in decision-making.
Set and monitor goals and objectives to align with the defined strategy.
Depart from traditional approaches to develop and present novel solutions.
Supervise other policy or program staff.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with subject matter knowledge related to public child- and family-serving systems, including child welfare systems, and Medicaid authorities and requirements.
Experience contributing to or authoring white papers or briefs.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for the Public Policy Analyst (Research Assistant 2)

Bachelor’s degree and two to three years of post-degree experience or Master’s degree and up to one year of post-degree experience.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for the Senior Public Policy Analyst (Research Assistant 3)

Bachelor’s degree and four to five years of post-degree experience or Master’s degree and two to four years of post-degree experience.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for the Lead Public Policy Analyst (Research Associate 1)

Ph.D. with up to one year of post-degree experience or Master’s degree and eight to ten years of post-degree experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

For All Levels

Experience developing and maintaining effective working relationships with partners, including funders, internal colleagues, and other stakeholders. Experience partnering with diverse stakeholders.
Commitment to contributing to building and sustaining research-based, inclusive, culturally responsive, and transformative child- and family-serving systems and services in partnership with government agencies, providers, children and families, and community organizations. Commitment to engaging in work that is grounded in research, a commitment to social justice, experience and expertise from the field, and implementation science.
Possesses a thorough knowledge of position requirements and the ability to perform the position in compliance with all requirements/regulations/laws. Ability to maintain high standards with the work being performed and maintain awareness of trends and influences. Assumes personal responsibility for all outcomes; makes effective and timely decisions; and effectively uses technology. Skill in relevant PC applications and programs such as Microsoft Office. Maintains productivity and uses knowledge strategies to increase knowledge base.
Ability to work independently under minimal supervision. Ability to delegate work and train/mentor personnel. Knowledge of supervisory practices and principles. Ability to effectively attend to various duties on simultaneous assignments. Ability to develop new methods for operation and/or streamlining of processes. Skill in exercising initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment with an ability to solve problems and make decisions. Ability to prioritize ongoing and new projects necessary to implement a specific organizational program.
Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Writes and presents information in a clear and concise way. Interprets and understands written information and is able to listen attentively to verbal and non-verbal cues that lead to a deeper understanding.
Ability to work cooperatively with others and demonstrate professional, ethical, respectful, and courteous behavior when interacting with others. Capable of interacting pleasantly and positively with others to meet customer expectations, and provide follow-up with customers. Comfortable with developing consensus across stakeholders.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

These are full-time, end-date positions subject to renewal based on funding and satisfactory performance. Positions with Innovations Institute are fully remote with expected travel to UConn’s Hartford Campus twice annually. Compensation will range from $65,000 to $115,000 annually (full-time equivalent) depending on experience. A generous benefits package is provided that includes health, retirement, paid time off, and other benefits. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #497245 to upload a cover letter, resume, the names of three professional references, and a writing sample about a news article published in 2023 that relates to children, youth, and/or families.

The writing sample must:

Provide a brief overview of the article
Describe how the article relates to the well-being of children, youth, and/or families
Discuss implications for programs, policy, and/or practice in the US or within a particular state or community
Be no more than one page, inclusive of works cited
Include citations for all sources, including the news article, using APA format
Be written in English with satisfactory spelling, grammar, and punctuation

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on March 23, 2023.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.