We are seeking a Policy Specialist to join the Foundation in its mission of benefitting, supporting, and enhancing the California Community Colleges—the largest and most diverse system of higher education in the nation. The Foundation for California Community Colleges is on a mission to double its impact in the next 10 years. We are a group of relentless optimists and innovators in education, working collaboratively with public and private partners to help improve the student experience and expand pathways to economic and social mobility in communities across California.

What You’ll Do

The Success Center for California Community Colleges, a department within the Foundation, is looking for an individual to join our team who has experience supporting activities that focus on policy development, policy research, and project management. The Foundation is the trusted partner of the California Community Colleges— facilitating collaboration, accelerating innovation, and increasing system wide resources.

Our Center’s role is to support the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and Foundation in implementing the Chancellor’s Vision 2030. Our work is engaging, fast paced, and ever evolving that requires a passion for serving California community college students and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

The Policy Specialist will support the Policy Development and Research unit of the Success Center by participating in necessary research, policy development, and project management on multiple higher education policy initiatives. This position is primarily remote, based out of the Sacramento Region, with some travel required.

• Tracks relevant higher education legislative and regulatory policies at national- and state-level. Develops processes for accurate and timely tracking that keeps larger team appraised of relevant information. Facilitates team meetings to provide updates and insights.
• Attends legislative hearings, briefings and meetings, virtually or in-person. Shares key insights with team in a timely manner. Keeps the team informed on relevant legislative briefings.
• Conducts critical analyses of proposed policies and regulations and participates in relevant policy development discussions and activities.  Writes policy briefs for new and existing policies to inform audiences of their potential impact and present recommendations.
• Assists in the drafting of policy proposals in consultation with the Success Center leadership. Works with internal and external partners to determine their needs, concerns, and viewpoints on proposed policies or reforms. Serves as an expert on proposed changes and can communicate policy decisions to relevant stakeholders.
• Monitors policy developments at the national- and state- level with respect to student success and higher education reforms. Appropriately informs Director of Policy Development on topics that may impact or be relevant to our work.
• Develops clear and concise written documents and presentations on relevant research findings and implications for internal and external audiences. Develops recommendations and best practices based on findings and solicits and incorporates team feedback into final product.  
• Analyzes publicly available data (e.g., Student Success Metrics, IPEDS, Data Mart, and Census) to better understand the student experience and incorporates findings into written products.
• Manages the full cycle of a project. Creates and executes project plans by tracking deliverables, milestones, and outcomes. Continuously assesses progress and makes appropriate recommendations to leadership team. 

Attributes for Success

• Knowledge of the California higher education policy environment, the California Community College System, Education Code, California Code of Regulations, and the state legislative process.
• Knowledge of policy analysis methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interface with high level stakeholders or statewide influencers.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the Success Center, Chancellor’s office, and the Foundation with professionalism and integrity to develop, maintain, and promote strong internal and external relationships.
• Ability to think creatively about policy solutions and implementation.
• Ability to manage stakeholders in a complex policy and political environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively through oral presentations and in writing.
• We’re recruiting for mission-driven, passionate, equity-minded individuals with a strong desire to impact and change people’s lives for the better
• Our work holds great weight and responsibility, and the opportunity to impact the lives of millions
• Innovation, creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship are encouraged as employees work to achieve organizational goals
• FoundationCCC blends the impact of a non-profit, the culture of an entrepreneurial start-up, and the scale of a state agency
• Team members are hired for their expertise in niche areas across our areas of impact and higher education overall, and for their knowledge of business, philanthropy, technology, communications, and more
• We have a commitment to professional development and an emphasis on shared leadership, to ensure growth for employees and the organization overall

What we Offer

FoundationCCC is fully committed to a “remote-first” philosophy, and recruits and hires talent across the state in fully remote positions, where virtual work is possible. Our headquarters are located in Downtown Sacramento, just blocks from California’s State Capitol.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, generous PTO, holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Wellness offerings
• CalPERS retirement program and optional 403(b) and 457 Retirement plans
• Tuition reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer

This job posting is a condensed version of the full job description. To request a copy of the full job description, please email [email protected]

Budgeted Annual Salary Pay Range:

$65,000.00 - $75,000.00

Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.