Job Announcement:
Policy Analyst (Human Services with a specific a focus on children)

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies and economic issues, with a focus on how these affect low- and middle-income people in our state. MassBudget seeks to hire a Policy Analyst whose primary responsibility will include covering human services issues with a specific focus on children. We are looking for candidates with strong quantitative and analytic skills, excellent writing skills, and the ability to communicate information effectively to diverse audiences.

As MassBudget's lead on human services issues this Policy Analyst will be responsible for conducting budget and policy research on issues affecting children and families in Massachusetts with particular attention paid to vulnerable populations. In addition to analyzing the impact of funding on key state programs, this Policy Analyst will also work on longer-term reports that closely analyze the well-being of children and families in Massachusetts. In this work, the Policy Analyst will work closely with the Kids Count Project Director as well as with other policy analysts when appropriate.

Responsibilities
  • Analyzing state budget proposals as they move through the legislative process, with a particular focus on human service programs and children served by those programs, and tracking differences between the proposals. Tasks include contributing to MassBudget's Budget Monitor, an analysis of budget and revenue proposals that is written for and distributed to a diverse audience of individuals and groups around the state.
  • Researching and writing reports that involve longer-term analyses of spending and revenue in the state budget including historical spending trends, budget priorities, and out-year budget projections with a particular focus on human services programs and their impact on children.
  • Conducting research and analysis on human services issues relevant to MassBudget's children's work. This includes providing research to support our Kids Count work which examines the well-being of children in Massachusetts. Also, providing budget data and programmatic information for the Children's Budget website that MassBudget is currently creating.
  • Providing education and training on budget and other state fiscal issues to organizations around Massachusetts including briefings and other presentations.
  • Serving as a resource to answer questions from active citizens, coalitions, elected officials and journalists by providing credible, timely information on budget and other state fiscal issues.
  • Working with grassroots groups, non-profits, and coalitions to educate their members about the state budget.
Qualifications
  • Excellent quantitative and analytic skills: attention to detail and accuracy in data analysis; proficiency with Excel and other PC-based software for conducting quantitative analysis.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Experience in policy analysis and a familiarity with budget issues and data sources.
  • Ability to translate complex data into non-technical terms for a wide variety of audiences.
  • Graduate degree in, public policy or a related field and/or at least 5 years of work experience in relevant field.

Salary range is approximately $60,000 based on experience and education. MassBudget also provides benefits including health care, vacation, and pension plans. Please send resume and cover letter to Mary Tittmann at mtittmann@massbudget.org.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer.