Policy Associate, Data Strategy

Position Title:

Policy Associate, Data Strategy

Position Purpose: 

The Policy Associate for Data Strategy supports Advance CTE’s efforts to improve the quality, accessibility, and use of CTE data among state leaders and across the organization. This position assists with research, resource development, technical assistance activities, and internal data tracking to advance evidence-informed decision making. The Policy Associate contributes to the creation of tools, briefs, and training that help states strengthen their data systems and practices and supports the organization’s internal data and evaluation processes.

About Advance CTE

Established in 1920, Advance CTE is the longest-standing CTE-focused national non-profit, representing State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary, and adult CTE across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Our mission is to support visionary state leadership, cultivate best practices, and speak with a collective voice to advance high-quality CTE policies, programs, and pathways that ensure career success for each learner.

Our organizational culture and core values are guided by our vision, which is driven by a fierce commitment to serving our members and increasing access and success in high-quality CTE. To achieve this, we are a highly collaborative team that values initiative. We hold ourselves to high expectations in terms of being content experts who are inquisitive learners, producing best-in-class work, being efficient and productive, and balancing listening and leading. We respect and expect strong communication (written and verbal) and encourage staff to identify improvements and contribute to building solutions. For more information, see www.careertech.org.

Primary Responsibilities:

Support the full range of Advance CTE’s projects, initiatives, and organizational strategic priorities related to data, including:

• Supporting Data Strategy Projects and Resources
• Assisting with the development of data- and accountability-focused tools, briefs, and resources aligned to member needs.
• Contributing to technical assistance activities that help states strengthen data collection, validation, reporting, and use.
• Supporting opportunities to engage members and partners around data, such as webinars, convenings, and communities of practice.
• Conducting research and maintaining internal knowledge on topics including performance indicators, cross-system data linkages, program monitoring, and the use of data to improve CTE access and success.
• Developing and maintaining a strong understanding of CTE and Advance CTE’s role in the field.
• Assisting  with the development and delivery of content at meetings, site visits, expert roundtables, and working groups. 

Contribute to Data Projects and Initiatives, including:

• Project management activities, including drafting timelines, materials, tracking progress, coordinating with consultants or coaches, and preparing state or funder reports.
• Assisting in developing and disseminating project resources, such as dashboards, guidance tools, and communications materials.
• Helping ensure data strategy work aligns with other organizational initiatives and member supports.

Support Internal Data and Evaluation, including:

• Maintaining and updating internal data trackers that measure organizational reach and impact.
• Assisting in the design, distribution, and analysis of surveys used to gather feedback from members and stakeholders.
• Compiling and visualizing data for internal dashboards, metrics, and reports.
• Contributing to consistent processes for collecting, reviewing, and using internal and external data.

Other:

• Contribute to Advance CTE’s member engagement and outreach activities.
• Coordinate with other staff to produce newsletters, blog updates, research briefs, legislative briefing papers, analyses, social media/web content, presentations, articles, etc. to ensure the Advance CTE membership is up-to-date on relevant information that impacts or affects CTE. 
• Attend, support and present at Advance CTE conferences and meetings. 
• Regularly travel, staying within established spending guidelines, and be requested to work flexible hours in response to member requests and actions; attend conferences and board meetings in the early morning hours or late evenings.
• Develop an ongoing understanding of the CTE environment and the role of Advance CTE in serving the CTE community
• Develop, maintain and grow partnerships with national organizations in support of Advance CTE's policy initiatives
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications & Skills:

• 2–4 years of relevant work experience in education, policy, research, or data-related roles (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Ability to analyze data, synthesize findings, and communicate insights clearly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft briefs, tools, and presentations.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Comfort facilitating discussions or engaging with groups of varying sizes.
• Experience working with datasets, spreadsheets, or data visualization tools preferred.
• Familiarity with CTE, education policy, or state data systems is a plus.

Supervision Received: The Policy Associate works under the direction of the Associate Director of Data Strategy.

Supervision Exercised: None

Compensation: Salary range for this position is $50,000-65,000; salary depends on relevant experience, and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. Benefits include, but are not limited to, a casual work environment and no-cost health care for the employee; phased-in benefits include a $155 per month transportation subsidy, 9% contribution to 401(k) plan (no match required), the week off between Christmas and New Year, and paid parental and family medical leave.

Location: Advance CTE’s office is located in the Washington, D.C. metro area (Silver Spring, MD). This position can be either an in-office position or a fully remote position filled by an employee located outside of the Washington, D.C. area. Advance CTE does not have a legal or organizational presence in the following states/territories: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, or any of the U.S. territories, and therefore is not open to accepting applications from individuals who reside in any of these locations and are not willing to relocate.

Travel Required: Up to 20% of the employee’s time may be spent on non-local travel to carry out the duties of the position.