Application Information
Please submit the following:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Completed Application
Materials and questions may be emailed to Josh Collette.
About the Organization
WSSDA is people. WSSDA is the Washington State School Directors’ Association, comprised of the 1,477 locally elected school board members from across the state. All public-school board members are WSSDA members per RCW 28A.345.020 which states, “The membership of the school directors’ association shall comprise the members of the boards of directors of the school districts of the state.”
That means all board-superintendent teams are eligible to take full advantage of the supports, services, and opportunities that WSSDA provides. WSSDA can be thought of as a school director’s professional association, though it is also a state agency (without regulatory authority).
To facilitate networking, professional development, and legislative advocacy, WSSDA employs a non-partisan staff of approximately 15. The staff provide services and supports for school board members with oversight from the member-elected WSSDA Board of Directors via WSSDA’s Action and Accountability Plan.
The organization’s member-adopted equity statement, mission, vision, goals, beliefs, and positions can be found on our Who We Are webpage. This is the WSSDA Platform and guides how the organization engages in the work of advancing public education and policy.
About the Position
Are you excited about public policy and public education, and want to help school leaders to advance policies and practices that improve student outcomes? The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is eager to onboard a committed and passionate policy professional to join our team as the Advocacy Strategy and Policy Analyst. In this role, you will be a key contributor providing support to our members by tracking and analyzing policy, communicating implications of proposed and enacted policy, and building relationships with partners and policymakers. This is your chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of students and staff across the state by supporting the locally elected school boards and school directors who are foundational to effective public education. You will get to do this mission-critical work while working in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
This is a hybrid position, with a general expectation that staff are in the office three days per week, typically Tuesday-Thursday. Most staff members telecommute on Mondays and Fridays, depending on events and workload. This schedule varies during the legislative session.
Equity is foundational to the work of WSSDA. Educational equity can only exist when a student’s level of opportunity and achievement cannot be predicted based on race, characteristics, or circumstances. Therefore, we must identify and eliminate any discriminatory practices and prejudices within our state’s public education system. To do so, we encourage applicants with firsthand lived experience as members of a community that has been historically and systemically underserved. Your unique perspectives and experiences will be valued as we work together to create a more inclusive education system. Availability to be present in Olympia during the legislative session is essential for this position.
Key Responsibilities
General
- Communication with Membership: Collaborate with the Communications Officer and other colleagues to develop content and inform messaging for the public, ensuring accurate representation of WSSDA membership.
- Project Management: Lead and manage special projects and initiatives as assigned by senior management.
- Continuous Improvement: Stay informed about best practices in government relations and policy analysis to continually enhance the agency’s efforts.
- Support Successful Committee Meetings: Attend regularly scheduled Legislative and Resolutions Committee meetings throughout the year.
- Commitment to Public Education, Nonpartisanship, and Inclusivity: Support respectful dialogue and contribute to the organization’s mission to advance public education through nonpartisanship and inclusive representation of all members.
Strategic Advocacy
- Legislative Advocacy: Support members in advocating for legislative priorities in alignment with member-adopted positions.
- Partner Engagement: Assist in building and maintaining relationships with key education partners, including legislators, government officials, and education partners.
- Policy Monitoring: Track and analyze proposed legislation during each legislative session using current and evolving systems and software.
- Communication: Prepare and coordinate testimony and other presentations to legislators and members.
- Legislative Strategy: Provide technical assistance to school directors on the legislative process and how/when to engage to effect change.
Policy Analysis
- Policy Review: Review policies, regulations, and guidelines related to education.
- Impact Assessment: Evaluate the potential impact of proposed policies and legislation on the education system.
- Respond to Inquiries: Provide clear, accurate, and timely responses to internal and external inquiries regarding education policy issues.
- Writing and Communication: Prepare reports, policy briefs, and articles on various education policy issues, including for WSSDA’s Direct and Policy & Legal News.
- Partner Engagement: Coordinate with other education partners to understand policy proposals and related messaging.
Required Qualifications
- Understanding of legislative process, state government, and policy.
- Experience conducting policy analysis, with the ability to synthesize and translate complex information into easy-to-understand language.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with proficiency drafting policy briefs and delivering presentations.
- Familiarity with Washington’s public K-12 education system, policy issues, and laws impacting Washington schools and districts.
- Commitment to public education, nonpartisan advocacy, and inclusivity, with the ability to engage in respectful dialogue and continuous learning in these areas.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with legislators, government officials, advocacy groups, and other partners.
- Work well under pressure to meet sometimes competing deadlines with strong attention to detail. • Maintain confidentiality and use good judgment.
- Willingness and ability to co-create with your colleagues a welcoming, supportive, safe, affirming, and respectful work environment.
- Proficient in the use of various technologies common in office settings
- Willingness to work a varied schedule, which may occasionally include evenings and weekends including additional / non-regular hours during legislative session.
- Available to be in-person in Olympia WA during legislative session.
Preferred Qualifications
The qualities below are preferred as they would contribute to success in this role. However, they are not all required. You may be a good match for this position even if you don’t possess all the qualifications listed below.
- Bachelor’s degree in law, government, public policy and/or education and a minimum of two years related professional experience OR at least six years of job-related experience in public policy, government, and/or education.
- Experience planning and facilitating meetings, committees, or workgroups, especially within a governmental or educational context.
- Firsthand lived experience as a member of a community that has been historically and systemically underserved.
- Experience leading efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within a professional setting.
- Demonstrated positive experience in working productively with a diverse team
- Experience as a school board member is ideal. Current WA school board members would be required to leave their elected position if hired. Experience working with school boards, education associations, and/or in K-12 education or college-level education system(s) also desirable.
Salary Range
$70,000 – $80,000 annually.
Benefits
WSSDA employee benefits packages are offered through the Public Employee Benefit Board (PEBB), and WSSDA employees participate in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
Timeline for Interview and Hiring (tentative)
- Nov. 26: Applications due for first screening (open until filled)
- Dec. 5: Virtual interviews for selected candidates
- Dec. 12: In-person interviews with finalists in Olympia
- Dec. 13: Job offer to selected candidate
- Jan. 1: Contractual start date
Why Work at WSSDA
We have a big impact on K-12 public education.
WSSDA supports and elevates the work of 1,477 school board members statewide, which is the largest group of elected officials in Washington state. They oversee the education of 1.1 million students in all 295 public school districts statewide. At WSSDA, you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive impact on education, supporting the development and expertise of individual school directors and board-superintendent teams.
We are dedicated to the value of public education.
Our members are the 1,477 school directors across the state, and we support them in having a positive impact on the students in their communities.
We value treating people with dignity, respect, and kindness.
WSSDA’s staff is small but mighty, and we work collaboratively with each other to do great things. We consistently strive for relationships that support and uplift each other and the work we do on behalf of our members. We value diversity and equity.
We have fun together.
We value humor, joy, and positive relationships. We take our work seriously, and are serious about having fun while doing it.
There are some great benefits and perks.
Our work schedules allow for flexibility to ensure a healthy work-life balance, including regular telecommuting days and some remote work. As a Washington state employee, your compensation package includes paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options, and access to retirement programs.
