Job Title: Senior Policy Associate, Social and Economic Mobility 

Position Supervisor:  Assistant Director of Policy

Classification Level: Exempt

Job Type:  Full-Time

Position Timeline:  Permanent

Location: Arlington, VA/ hybrid

APHSA is recruiting new talent! We are seeking 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 the delivery of public benefits.

APHSA is an association representing state and local agencies in the health and human services field. With and through these members, we work to advance solutions that are 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 are impacting systems across the nation!

Our team at APHSA needs a person like you who leans forward and feels comfortable engaging with teammates, thought leaders and partners. We’re looking for an innovative, solution-oriented action-taker who will add to our collaborative team environment.

While your main focus will be implementing project activities, we’re also looking for someone who thrives in a team environment. In addition, we need someone who is comfortable being on multiple cross-functional internal teams to advance the work both internally and externally with kindness, compassion, inclusion, and a can-do spirit.

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

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Policy Associate is responsible for supporting APHSA’s portfolio on social and economic mobility policies while working in collaboration with the broader policy and practice team on workforce initiatives. This position involves leading and supporting national initiatives to analyze, promote, and facilitate the implementation of policies aimed at improving workforce training and development through human services programs such as TANF, SNAP Employment & Training, WIOA, and more. Additionally, the position plays a crucial role in facilitating peer-to-peer support among human services agency leaders, serving as the primary staff liaison to the National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA), along with the involvement in workgroups and peer communities aimed at connecting individuals to employment and training services for achieving family-sustaining wages.

Supervisor Responsibilities:  

No

Major Responsibility 1: 30% - Serve as APHSA’s primary analyst for federal policy initiatives for TANF, SNAP Employment & Training, workforce development programs such as WIOA, and other basic income support and career readiness programs that promote social and economic mobility.

• Create clear and concise written and verbal analysis of timely workforce development, cash assistance, and employment and training policy proposals.
• Conduct regular assessments and actively track federal resources to keep members updated on significant developments to collect and disseminate information that may affect stakeholders.  
• Cultivate strong relationship and facilitation skills to collect feedback and insights from APHSA members, while also building connections with key federal personnel and national partners to gain proactive insights on emerging priorities and their developments.
• Exhibit a strong capability to utilize APHSA framing in official responses to policy proposals that incorporate member feedback and align with APHSA’s mission and values.
• Anticipate and provide support for the APHSA executive team in addressing relevant and emerging social and economic mobility policy issues in the workforce development sector.

Major Responsibility #2: 20% - Staff APHSA’s affinity group, the National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA), and related peer learning communities.

• Create agendas and meeting materials for NASTA Executive Advisory Council (EAC) and all-state members and maintain rosters for directories.
• Demonstrate proficiency in facilitating member meetings by balancing between bipartisan priorities and being responsive to immediate needs, while developing a clear long-term strategy for the group.
• Develop formal and/or informal work groups and peer communities that are responsive to member needs for conversation facilitation.
• Enhance APHSA’s influence by engaging with federal leadership to achieve meaningful impact and build direct relationships between APHSA and members. 

Major Responsibility 3: 15% - Engage in strategic partnerships and support APHSA communications to advance APHSA’s work on social and economic mobility.

• Contribute proactively and recruit content that enhances narratives and discussions for APHSA’s newsletters and publications, such as the weekly This Week in Washington, Policy & Practice magazine, and The Catalyst blog; consistently provide comprehensive, appropriate, and well-framed submissions to each.
• Build a robust portfolio of formal and informal partnerships in the social and economic mobility space with national stakeholders like researchers, peer associations, advocacy organizations, and industry partners to enhance APHSA’s influence and impact.
• Strengthen partnerships with other organizations through joint meetings, presentations, and publications that elevate APHSA’s brand and add value to its members.
• Cultivate relationships within the Administration, establishing rapport with career service staff to address and resolve member issues effectively.
• Provide meaningful contributions to fostering Congressional relations and demonstrate capability in leading discussions with Congressional staff.
• Attend partner meetings and conferences, representing APHSA on topics related to social and economic mobility.

Major Responsibility 4: 20% - Support the development and implementation of APHSA grants to deepen impact in the field to advance social and economic mobility and workforce development.

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships to create new grant opportunities that facilitate learning and implementation of social and economic mobility initiatives.
• Support the development of proposals for grant opportunities.
• Provide subject matter policy expertise in workforce and economic assistance programs within relevant grant teams.
• Participate in meetings with APHSA staff and partnering organizations to coordinate efforts on assigned grant activities.

Major Responsibility 5: 10% - Support the planning of APHSA’s Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference.

• Support monthly meetings for conference planning members by creating agendas and facilitating discussions.  
• Lead the recruitment and development of content related to workforce development for Economic Mobility and Well-Being plenary sessions, while effectively coordinating with APHSA members and partners in preparation for these sessions.  
• Coordinate with the APHSA Connect team on conference logistics both in advance of and during the conferences. 

Major Responsibility 6: 5% - Other duties as assigned.

• Basic Knowledge of Human Services.
• Knowledge of TANF, SNAP Employment & Training, workforce development, or asset development, along with familiarity with whole family or two-generation approaches. Direct experience in administering or participating in these programs and initiatives is preferred.
• Proven experience in collaborating with various partners and uniting different perspectives effectively.
• Ability to engage in and facilitate bipartisan problem-solving.
• Experience facilitating meetings and managing relationships with external partners.
• Strong project management, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in written form, including in public presentations.
• Experience incorporating perspectives of multiple communities and knowledge of how structural racism and bias impact underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Personal experience receiving and supporting others in receiving employment and training services or nutrition support.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of BA/BS degree and at least 5-7 years’ work experience.
• Master’s Degree preferred.
• At least 5-7 years prior experience in Human Services or related fields such as Health, Housing, or Labor, either in government service at local, state, or federal levels or in related roles in the business and non-profit sector.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience with project management tools.
• Strong organization skills, ability to multi-task, high volume of work requests, and re-prioritization independently; pro-active problem-solving.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with the ability to produce high-quality, professional, and respectful communications to individuals throughout the nation.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution.

At APHSA, we value and support our staff's health, well-being, and future. Our benefit package is based on improving employee morale, which fosters a work environment where staff can thrive and feel accomplished. Aside from essential 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 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 sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Willingness to travel (up to 10%) as public health considerations permit.

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.