Policy Analyst, State Fiscal Policy

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.

CBPP combines rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective advocacy to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation both nationally and in states. It works closely with a broad set of national, state, and community organizations to design and advance policies that promote economic justice; improve health; broaden opportunity in areas like housing, health care, employment, and education; and lower structural barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity. CBPP promotes policies that will build a more equitable nation and fair tax policies that can support these gains over the long term. CBPP also shows the harmful impacts of policies and proposals that would deepen poverty, widen disparities, and worsen health outcomes.

As we continue to navigate high-stakes debates at the intersection of tax justice, economic opportunity, and democracy at both the federal and state levels in the coming years, CBPP is currently seeking to bring on a Policy Analyst to support the organization’s State Fiscal Policy (SFP) team. SFP conducts research on and analysis of tax and budget policies in the states, with a focus on how they affect low-income people and build antiracist, equitable, and inclusive communities and economies. SFP also coordinates and provides in-depth assistance to the State Priorities Partnership (SPP), the nation’s leading network of state policy organizations working to advance racial, social, and economic equity to build broad prosperity and thriving state economies.

The Policy Analyst is responsible for a portfolio of tax and budget topics, including the link between state fiscal policy and democracy issues and the impact of state tax and spending limitations. They lead the creation of policy products within their work area, fulfill technical requests and provide strategic guidance to analysts within the State Priorities Partnership, contribute to other priority policy analyses and products, and regularly present their analyses of tax and budget issues to internal and external audiences and the press. They will also contribute to strategic team internal projects and working groups.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary analyst and point of contact for a portfolio of tax and budget issues. Likely topics include tax and spending limitations in states and democracy and fiscal policy. (See examples here and here.)
• Contribute to tax and budget research on other topics as assigned.
• Analyze legislation, state budget and tax documents, and related policy materials. Track policy developments and trends on assigned issues.
• Develop policy products that directly respond to legislative developments and partner requests in a timely fashion, and which set a proactive agenda for antiracist, equitable state budgets and tax systems. These products may include papers, blogs, social media posts, memos, data analyses, and others.
• Provide strategic policy guidance to state-level analysts on assigned topics. Identify and disseminate best practices, develop and share new policy ideas, and adapt resources for state policy contexts.
• Cultivate relationships with partners and create shared learning opportunities such as webinars, conference sessions, and network-wide discussions.
• Present policy findings to internal stakeholders, reporters, state partners, and other audiences. Presentation opportunities may include press calls, legislative testimony, funder briefings, and internal briefings.
• Serve as a lead contributor to teamwide projects, such as developing content for CBPP’s annual conference and participating in internal workgroups and discussions.
• Perform other job-related duties within the role’s scope as assigned to support the team’s goals.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree and at least four years of relevant work experience in public policy, data analysis, economics, public finance, or a related field. A relevant graduate degree may be substituted for two years of work experience.

Policy Interest

• A commitment to CBBP’s mission to improve the well-being of low- and moderate-income people and advance racial equity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience in state fiscal policy analysis, and a desire to work on and learn about a wide variety of topics in this policy area.
• Strong understanding of institutional and structural racism and knowledge of how to employ this analysis to improve public policies.

Policy Analysis

• Excellent qualitative research skills, including the ability to find and interpret sources such as academic studies, policy reports, and state legislative documents and clearly summarize their key takeaways in writing.
• Strong quantitative research skills, including the ability to locate and analyze relevant government or academic datasets. Experience working with Excel is required.
• Familiarity with legislative processes, a desire to apply research to state policy debates, and experience advancing policy priorities within a legislative process.

Communications, Project Management, and Partner Engagement

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences and synthesize data and research into clear, effective arguments.
• Demonstrated skill, experience, and interest in engaging effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and allies. Experience building relationships with external stakeholders such as advocacy coalitions, networks, or other groups.
• Capacity to work on multiple tasks, often on a time-sensitive basis; strong task and project management skills; and a proactive approach to improving processes.

This position is based in our Washington, D.C. office. CBPP is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule of two full in-office days (Tuesday and Wednesday) per week as well as the first Thursday of each month in our Washington, D.C. office.

This position reports to the Deputy Director of State Policy Research.

Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt.

Bargaining Unit Status: This is a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary for this position ranges from $70,000 to $85,000 per year; pay is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience and internal pay equity. Excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP) and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

Please upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to this role and this work.

Please submit your application here.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.