Child Care Policy Specialist

Guidehouse; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Parental leave

Sick time

Holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Employee referrals

Learning opportunities

Transit benefits

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking a Child Care Policy Specialist to join the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care in Washington, DC. The role focuses on developing and interpreting policy directives, drafting regulatory guidance, and preparing reports to inform federal and state policymakers.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree and at least four years of policy analysis experience, with strong data analysis, writing, and presentation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; minimum four years' experience in policy analysis.
• Experience developing and analyzing federal or state child care policy.
• Strong written and oral communication, and ability to present to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and interpret policy directives and guidance for states, territories, and tribes.
• Draft regulations, policy guidance, and responses to policy questions.
• Prepare talking points, slides and presentations for grantees and stakeholders.

Skills

Policy analysis

Data analysis

Policy writing

Oral communication

Public speaking

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Job Family: Grants Management Analysis Travel Required: Up to 10% Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do:

The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care (OCC), is looking for a Child Care Policy Specialist to join its team. OCC administers child care funding to states, territories, and tribes to provide child care assistance to eligible families and to increase the availability and enhance the quality of child care and development services. This position will develop and interpret policy directives and guidance for states, territories, and tribes in the administration of child care assistance programs. The work involves a range of activities, including writing policy documents, reports, and other materials; analyzing data, research, and other information to inform policy development; explaining policies to a variety of audiences; and responding to policy questions from grantees and stakeholders. Draft regulations and sub-regulatory policy guidance (Program Instructions, Information Memoranda, Policy Interpretation Questions, Dear Colleague Letters, and FAQs). Draft policy responses to questions from states, territories, and tribes, as well as issues arising from program operations, monitoring, and oversight activities. Prepare talking points, slides, and presentations for grantees and other stakeholders about new policy guidance, programs, and initiatives. Review and analyze statutes and pending legislation, and provide technical assistance on draft bills. Draft Congressional testimony and responses to Congressional requests and questions. Research and draft legislative proposals that reflect Administration priorities. Support subject‑matter experts and develop expertise in child care policy issues. Analyze and compile data, research, and information and prepare summaries, tables, and reports to inform policymaking at the federal and state levels. Coordinate with technical assistance, program operations, monitoring, and research teams regarding policy issues. Review and provide comments and updates on reports and other documents prepared by governmental and non‑governmental entities (e.g., GAO, OIG). Prepare reports, including reports for Congress. Support budget formulation, performance measurement, financial management, grantee reporting, and other activities, as assigned.

What You Will Need:

Bachelor's degree. Minimum of FOUR (4) years of experience. Knowledge of child care laws, regulations, and policies. Experience developing and analyzing child care policy for the federal government, a state government, a national organization, or a similar entity. Experience analyzing and writing complex technical components of legislation, regulations, or other policy. Experience presenting information to a wide array of audiences. Strong analytical skills. Relevant education (Master’s degree or higher in a field involving policy analysis). Expertise in the use of Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to analyze, summarize, and compile data and information. Ability to perform detail‑oriented work. Ability to collaborate with staff from a variety of backgrounds and skill sets, and to work in a team to improve processes or systems. Strong oral and written communication skills, including responding to requests both internally and externally. Strong prioritization and time‑management skills to balance ongoing responsibilities with urgent requests.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

Master’s degree preferred. The annual salary range for this position is $74,000.00-$124,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Care.com annual membership
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)

Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation. Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation. All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process. If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties. Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee. Guidehouse is a global AI‑led professional services firm delivering advisory, technology, and managed services to the commercial and government sectors. With an integrated business technology approach, Guidehouse drives efficiency and resilience in the healthcare, financial services, energy, infrastructure, and national security markets. Built to help clients across industries outwit complexity, the firm brings together approximately 18,000 professionals to achieve lasting impact and shape a meaningful future. guidehouse.com