Job opening in Atlanta, GA

Position: Legislative and Public Policy Associate

Founded in 1867 as the George Peabody Education Fund, the Southern Education Foundation’s (SEF) mission is to advance equity and excellence in education for all students in the South, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. SEF uses advocacy, leadership development, research, and strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations to improve outcomes in early childhood through early adulthood. SEF believes education is the vehicle by which all students get fair chances to develop their talents and contribute to the common good. SEF is expanding its Government Affairs and Advocacy team to help advance education equity policies across our 17 southern state region. The strategy will include advancing research-based public policies that support public education, wraparound services, teacher modernization, early childhood education, and other research-based school improvement strategies. To support this approach and the organization’s public policy agenda, SEF seeks a Legislative and Public Policy Associate with a strong advocacy, data analysis, research, and policy background and a demonstrated commitment to equity and passion to support students of color and students from low-income families. In addition to working closely with the Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy and other SEF team members s/he will work with a diverse array of external education experts in the policy, legal, and research fields. This person will also support practitioners and grassroots partners throughout the region.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Analyze state legislation, regulations, and other education policy documents to understand their equity implications. 2. Conduct research on state education policy issues, specifically related to the privatization of public schools, teacher modernization, early childhood education, wraparound services, and school funding. 3. Complete public policy and research tasks as assigned by the Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, such as sourcing, organizing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data aligned to SEF’s policy and advocacy goals.

Apply at www.southerneducation.org