Child Care Policy Specialist

System One; Virginia; Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

System One, Inc. seeks a Child Care Policy & Legislative Specialist to influence federal child care policy, analyzing legislation and translating laws into practical guidance for states and tribal partners.

The role interfaces with government stakeholders, drafts policy responses, and supports budget, monitoring, and program priorities across national initiatives. Strong policy experience and communications are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• At least four years of relevant professional experience in child care policy, public policy, legislative analysis, regulatory development, or a related area.
• Knowledge of child care laws, regulations, funding structures, and policies.
• Experience developing, interpreting, or analyzing child care policy for a federal or state government agency, national organization, or similar entity.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing and drafting complex legislative, regulatory, or policy documents.
• Ability to research complex policy issues, synthesize information, and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to compile, interpret, and summarize data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting complex information to diverse audiences.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and manage competing priorities, including time-sensitive requests.

Responsibilities

• Develop, draft, and interpret federal child care regulations and policy guidance, including Program Instructions, Information Memoranda, Policy Interpretation Questions, Dear Colleague Letters, and FAQs.
• Research and analyze federal child care laws, regulations, proposed legislation, and emerging policy issues to inform program direction and recommendations.
• Develop thoughtful, well-researched policy responses to questions from states, territories, and tribal partners, as well as issues identified through program operations, monitoring, and oversight.
• Translate complex policy and regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance for government partners and stakeholders.
• Prepare presentations, briefings, talking points, and educational materials to communicate new policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Support legislative activities by analyzing proposed bills, drafting technical comments, and developing legislative proposals aligned with Administration priorities.
• Prepare Congressional testimony, responses to Congressional inquiries, and reports addressing key child care policy issues.
• Analyze data, research findings, and other information to develop policy summaries, reports tables, and recommendations that support informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and cross-functional teams in program operations, technical assistance, monitoring, and research.
• Review and provide substantive feedback on reports and policy documents prepared by government oversight organizations and other entities, including GAO and OIG.
• Contribute to budget formulation, performance measurement, financial management, grantee reporting, and other program priorities as needed.

Skills

Analytical reasoning

Written and verbal communication

Policy research

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy or related field

Master's degree or higher (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title: Child Care Policy & Legislative Specialist

Location: Remote EST

Job Type: 1 + year Contract to Hire

Make an Impact on the Future of Child Care Policy

About the Opportunity

Are you passionate about shaping policies that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families? This is an opportunity to bring your child care policy expertise to a high-impact federal consulting engagement supporting critical national child care initiatives.

Our client is a leading consulting and advisory organization that partners with the federal government to advance important programs and public policy priorities. In this role, you will support the development, interpretation, and implementation of child care policies that help states, territories, and tribal communities provide access to affordable, high-quality child care for eligible families.

As a Child Care Policy & Legislative Specialist, you will work at the intersection of federal policy, legislation, research, and program implementation. You will translate complex laws and regulations into actionable guidance, help shape policy recommendations, respond to emerging policy questions, and communicate important changes to government stakeholders.

This is an excellent opportunity for a policy professional who wants to apply their expertise to meaningful work with national reach and tangible benefits for children, families, and communities.

What You'll Do

• Develop, draft, and interpret federal child care regulations and policy guidance, including Program Instructions, Information Memoranda, Policy Interpretation Questions, Dear Colleague Letters, and Frequently Asked Questions.
• Research and analyze federal child care laws, regulations, proposed legislation, and emerging policy issues to inform program direction and recommendations.
• Develop thoughtful, well-researched policy responses to questions from states, territories, and tribal partners, as well as issues identified through program operations, monitoring, and oversight.
• Translate complex policy and regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance for government partners and stakeholders.
• Prepare presentations, briefings, talking points, and educational materials to communicate new policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Support legislative activities by analyzing proposed bills, drafting technical comments, and developing legislative proposals aligned with Administration priorities.
• Prepare Congressional testimony, responses to Congressional inquiries, and reports addressing key child care policy issues.
• Analyze data, research findings, and other information to develop policy summaries, reports tables, and recommendations that support informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and cross-functional teams in program operations, technical assistance, monitoring, and research.
• Review and provide substantive feedback on reports and policy documents prepared by government oversight organizations and other entities, including GAO and OIG.
• Contribute to budget formulation, performance measurement, financial management, grantee reporting, and other program priorities as needed.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• At least four years of relevant professional experience in child care policy, public policy, legislative analysis, regulatory development, or a related area.
• Knowledge of child care laws, regulations, funding structures, and policies.
• Experience developing, interpreting, or analyzing child care policy for a federal or state government agency, national organization, or similar entity.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing and drafting complex legislative, regulatory, or policy documents.
• Ability to research complex policy issues, synthesize information, and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to compile, interpret, and summarize data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting complex information to diverse audiences.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and manage competing priorities, including time-sensitive requests.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Public Policy, Public Administration, or another relevant discipline.
• Experience supporting federal government child care programs or initiatives.
• Experience drafting federal policy guidance, regulations, legislative proposals, Congressional responses, or government reports.

Why This Opportunity?

• Meaningful Impact: Contribute to policies that affect child care access, affordability, and quality for families across the country.
• National Reach: Support initiatives involving federal, state, territorial, and tribal partners.
• Intellectually Engaging Work: Tackle complex policy, legislative, regulatory, and research challenges.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside policy experts and multidisciplinary professionals committed to advancing important public programs.
• Visibility and Influence: Help shape how federal child care policies are interpreted, communicated, and implemented.