Director of Policy & Research

Washington State Department of Ecology Washington Conservation Corps; United States; Remote; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Ecology’s Washington Conservation Corps is seeking a Director of Policy & Research. This leadership role involves developing policies and research initiatives that support quality caregiving while engaging with relevant stakeholders. Successful candidates will possess a deep understanding of public sector challenges and demonstrate effective communication skills. Commitment to social justice and equity in caregiving is essential, ensuring that underserved communities are prioritized in all initiatives. This is a full-time remote position, requiring occasional travel to California.

Benefits

100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage

Defined benefit pension plan with a 21% annual salary contribution

Generous time off policy including accrued vacation

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree, master's degree preferred.
• Knowledge of workforce development and advocacy groups.
• Ability to analyze data and make logical conclusions.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and execute the policy and research agenda.
• Monitor federal and state legislative developments.
• Support the development of written materials for internal and external use.

Skills

Knowledge of caregiving

Policy analysis

Ability to communicate effectively

Skill in data analysis

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration/policy, economics, or social justice

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Personal computer

Job description

Reports to:CEO

Developed: Revised June 2025

Salary Band: $105,000-$140,000 annually

Status: Full-Time - Salary Exempt

Work Location: Remote

*ONLY California residents will be considered*

*This position requires up to 10% annual travel to the Los Angeles area for in-person meetings*

Position Summary:

The Director of Policy & Research plans, develops, and executes both the policy and research agenda on behalf of The Center for Caregiver Advancement. Additionally, the Director works across CCA departments and with other senior staff to prepare research and policy analyses that identify data-driven strategies to advance our mission. The Director will have the opportunity to shape the department, as well as serve as the department's sole member until we expand it.

The role is critical to inform and support the value proposition that quality training for Skilled Nursing Facility workers and IHSS home care workers positively impacts both the workforce, leading to higher wages and greater retention, as well as the larger health care system, resulting in better care to consumers and residents.

CCA requires a candidate who has a passion for social justice and caregiving and a desire to join a team that champions the underserved, particularly immigrant women of color who comprise the majority of the workforce. We welcome all communities, languages, genders, and ages. We center our work in racial and health equity. We design educational offerings that promote cultural and linguistic competence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops conceptual frameworks that guide various research mechanisms across the state that influence funding for long-term care training.
• Initiates research and analysis on topics of concern to CCA’s long-term caregiving policy, legislative, and regulatory initiatives.
• Provides strategic research and analysis in support of researching and shifting policy and creating opportunities for engagement about our research within the industry, the organization, and our stakeholders by establishing relationships that build support for CCA’s mission.
• Proactively monitor federal and state legislative policy developments and assess their potential impact on long-term funding and training for home care and nursing home workers.
• Analyzes budgets, policy options, and legislative proposals for their impact on future CCA goals and projections
  Collaborates with SEIU Local 2015 policy and research staff on CCA state and national policy-related research and initiatives
• Supports the development of written material, including correspondence, legislative testimony, research reports, and policy memoranda for use internally and externally of CCA
• Assist in the training and mentoring of other research and policy analysts and work with the CEO and senior staff to support the activities of our stakeholders.
• Represents CCA and the caregiving movement on critical public policy issues and presents positions before conferences, government groups, and public forums as needed.
• Brief the CEO and other senior staff on public policy issues, current research trends, views of other organizations, and the long-term impact on CCA and the caregiving industry.
• Supervise strategic research in the caregiving industry through an understanding of the economic, social, and political factors that impact the impact of training on caregivers.
• Manage requests for research from diverse stakeholders, including senior staff
• Monitor economic, industrial, environmental, and social performance of industries and companies, including outlooks and trends.
• Provide input to senior staff for the strategic planning process and coordinate with essential staff who contribute to policy and research programs.
• Perform other duties as required to support the policy and research department's mission

Experience and Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree, master's degree preferred, in public administration/policy, economics, or social justice
• (3) years of supervisory experience and (5) years of work-related experience in policy and research analysis or a combination of education and experience that would provide for the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
• Knowledge of caregiving, workforce development, unions, and other advocacy groups.
• Thorough understanding of public sector issues, including federal and state budget funding, workforce development, and non-profit funding streams, and the various federal and state laws and regulations governing the operation of public sector programs.
• Policy analysis and issue development.
• Development of strategy and ability to lead complex campaigns that require coordination of the work of multiple departments, disciplines, and external allies.
• Ability to monitor public sector industry trends at the federal, state, and local levels in financing, quality public service issues, and workforce issues.
• Ability to analyze data and make sound, logical conclusions, and develop a strategy.
• Ability to recruit, manage, and develop staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to make presentations.
• Skill in the use of a personal computer and associated software used to perform analysis.
  

Benefits

Excellent Comprehensive Benefits Package, including:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Defined benefit pension plan with vesting at 3 years -CCA contributes 21% of your annual salary to your pension. In addition, we offer a 401K plan.
• Generous time off policy, including accrued vacation and sick leave.
• Fifteen (15) paid holidays, including your birthday, as a paid holiday.

At CCA, we wholeheartedly believe in fostering a compassionate and inclusive organizational culture. Recognizing that the onus is on each of us to build and sustain an environment where mutual respect reigns and equal opportunities flourish, we are eager to welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life.

We appreciate the diverse richness they bring to our organization and especially encourage people of color, those living with disabilities, bilingual and bicultural individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community to share their unique perspectives with our team.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, CCA stands firmly against any form of discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, age, reprisals for engaging in anti-discrimination activities, protected genetic information, sexual orientation, or parental status. We wear our badge of equality with immense pride, always upholding fair employment practices with deep empathy and inclusivity.