NJSACC Seeks Part-Time Legislative Policy Consultant

Interested applicants should register to join the Overview + Q&A Zoom session happening on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 2pm – 3pm EST

• https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5BO-DglsRXe5uGxTA3jlTQ

Organization: NJSACC: New Jersey’s Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Professional Network

Position Type: Part-Time Independent Contractor/Consultant

Contract Period: August 2026 – July 2027

Compensation: Up to $10,000 for the contract period

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

About NJSACC

NJSACC: New Jersey’s Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Professional Network is dedicated to fostering the growth, quality, and sustainability of out-of-school (OST) time providers, professionals, and organizations to expand access and opportunity for New Jersey’s youth and families. NJSACC works with providers, policymakers, youth, families, state agencies, and community partners to advance policies and investments that ensure New Jersey children and youth have access to high-quality afterschool, OST, and summer learning opportunities.

Position Overview

NJSACC is seeking an experienced Legislative Policy Consultant to support implementation of a statewide advocacy and policy campaign focused on expanding access to high-quality afterschool, OST, and summer learning programs in New Jersey.

Working closely with the CEO, the consultant will help refine and implement NJSACC’s statewide advocacy strategy; advise on legislative and policy priorities; identify opportunities and legislative champions; coordinate legislative engagement; strengthen relationships with policymakers and state agencies; support coalition-building; elevate youth voice and leadership; and help advance NJSACC’s policy priorities. The consultant will help move NJSACC’s advocacy efforts toward concrete policy outcomes, including sustainable public investment in afterschool and OST.

Key Policy Priorities

The consultant will support NJSACC’s efforts to advance current and emerging policy priorities, including:

• Passage of legislation establishing the New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission.
• A dedicated state funding stream for school-age child care, afterschool, and OST programs.
• Integration of school-age care into New Jersey’s Quality Rating and Improvement System.
• Increased Child Care and Development Block Grant reimbursement rates for school-age programs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legislative & Policy Engagement

• Monitor New Jersey legislative activity, committee hearings, state budget developments, and policy opportunities relevant to OST, education, child care, and workforce development.
• Identify and cultivate legislative champions and bipartisan support for NJSACC’s policy priorities.
• Coordinate meetings with legislators, legislative staff, state agencies, and other policymakers.
• Conduct policy research and analysis and assist with the development of policy recommendations, policy briefs, testimony, talking points, advocacy alerts, legislative hearing materials, and other policy resources. Work with NJSACC leadership to translate relevant research, data, and findings - including NJSACC’s OST cost-modeling work - into clear policy recommendations, investment strategies, and messages for policymakers and stakeholders.
• Advise NJSACC leadership on New Jersey legislative and budget strategy, including legislative pathways, committee activity, bill movement, hearings, amendments or bill language, legislative and agency engagement, budget opportunities, and appropriate timing for advocacy activities.

1. Statewide Advocacy Campaign Coordination

• Support implementation of NJSACC’s statewide advocacy strategy in alignment with the legislative calendar and state budget process.
• Coordinate or support legislative outreach, advocacy days, policymaker briefings, and strategic program site visits, including identifying appropriate OST programs within legislative districts and helping connect elected officials and policymakers with local programs in ways that reinforce NJSACC’s statewide policy priorities.
• Support and strengthen NJSACC’s youth advocacy model by ensuring meaningful youth voice and leadership are incorporated into policy and advocacy efforts. Assist with preparing youth to understand relevant policy priorities, communicate their experiences and perspectives, engage policymakers, and participate effectively in youth advocacy training, Youth Advocacy Day, Lights On Afterschool, and other statewide advocacy and awareness initiatives.
• Support advocacy training for OST providers, youth leaders, and other stakeholders.

1. Coalition & Stakeholder Engagement

• Strengthen and engage relationships with NJSACC’s existing advocacy partners and help expand the statewide OST advocacy coalition.
• Support the Policy Partners Meeting, Child Care Call to Collaboration, and other stakeholder convenings.
• Develop resources that help providers and partners effectively communicate with policymakers to help strengthen understanding of the connection between OST, educational success, workforce participation, child care, and community well-being.

Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrated direct experience navigating New Jersey legislative, state budget, and/or public policy processes.
• Experience coordinating advocacy campaigns, legislative initiatives, or public policy efforts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience building relationships with policymakers, government agencies, and/or community stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently while collaborating with NJSACC leadership and partners.

Preferred:

• Experience in education, child care, afterschool/OST, workforce development, or youth policy.
• Experience with coalition-building and cross-sector collaboration.
• Experience with state budget advocacy or legislative campaigns.
• Experience supporting youth leadership or civic engagement.
• Existing relationships with New Jersey legislators, legislative staff, state agencies, or advocacy organizations.

Compensation & Time Commitment

This is a part-time independent consulting position with compensation of up to $10,000 for the August 2026–July 2027 contract period. The consultant will work with the CEO to establish a prioritized work plan, timeline, key deliverables, and regular progress check-ins aligned with NJSACC’s Accelerator Grant implementation. Activities will be prioritized collaboratively based on available resources and emerging policy opportunities. The level of effort will vary throughout the year based on the legislative and state budget calendars, with increased activity anticipated around legislative sessions, budget development, hearings, advocacy days, and other key policy opportunities. The consultant should have sufficient schedule flexibility to respond to time-sensitive legislative and policy developments when appropriate.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Resume or CV;
• Brief cover letter describing relevant legislative/policy experience and interest in advancing afterschool and OST policy in New Jersey; and
• Two professional references.

NJSACC is an equal opportunity organization and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.