Policy & Research Associate

MEININGER Hotels; Forney (TX); Remote; USD 96,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Economic Opportunity Institute is seeking a full-time Policy & Research Associate to support its policy development and advocacy work. The role focuses on conducting rigorous research and analysis across various policy areas, with an emphasis on Washington state budget and tax policy, collaborating closely with senior policy staff.

Benefits

Paid leave (4 weeks PTO and 2 weeks paid sick leave)

Employer-paid medical and dental benefits

403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions

Annual cost-of-living adjustment

Eligibility for sabbatical after 5 years

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in economics or public policy.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research on fiscal policy.
• Familiarity with legislative processes in Washington state.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original qualitative and quantitative research on policy issues.
• Provide research support during legislative sessions.
• Collaborate on public-facing materials conveying research findings.

Skills

Research and analytical skills

Communication abilities

Project management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, or a related field

Tools

Data analysis tools (Excel, R, Stata)

Job description

The Economic Opportunity Institute (EOI) is seeking a full-time Policy & Research Associate to support our policy development and advocacy work. This position will focus on conducting rigorous research and analysis across a range of policy areas, with an initial emphasis on Washington state budget and tax policy. The Policy & Research Associate will collaborate closely with senior policy and communications staff to produce compelling research that informs and advances EOI’s mission.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for using research to drive public policy change and a proven ability to analyze complex economic and fiscal issues with clarity and rigor. They will report to the Director of Policy Development & Research and work with a dedicated team of colleagues who research and advocate for an economy that works for everyone.

Who We Are: EOI is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit 501(c)3 research and advocacy organization. Our vision is for Washington state to be a national model of economic opportunity — with an economy that truly works for everyone. Our mission is to equip the public and public decision-makers with the policy research and practical tools they need to embed the values of fairness, care, and opportunity into the foundations of our state’s economy — and thereby support thriving people and communities across the state.

Over our 27-year history, EOI has played a key role in successful efforts to increase Washington's minimum wage, ensure working people have access to paid sick days and paid family and medical leave, create some of the strongest overtime rules in the nation, end pay secrecy practices that contribute to wage discrimination, and create a public option on the state's health benefit marketplace.

Our Commitment to Racial Equity: EOI is committed to racial equity in all aspects of our work. We recognize that addressing institutional and structural racism is crucial to building a just economy for all. We apply a racial equity lens to our research, communications, and advocacy, striving to include voices from communities most impacted by racism.

Internally, we work to dismantle institutional racism in our governance, hiring, and workplace culture, fostering an environment where all employees feel valued and supported as we continue to learn and act with courage and humility.

What You'll Do
Policy Development & Research

• Conduct original qualitative and quantitative research on economic and social policy issues, with an initial emphasis on Washington state budget and tax systems.
• Analyze state fiscal documents (e.g., budgets, revenue forecasts, fiscal notes), monitor budget developments, and help shape EOI’s fiscal advocacy.
• Track and synthesize local, state, and national research to inform EOI’s policy work and deepen its analysis.
• Support the development of research reports, briefs, blog posts, and data visualizations that clearly and accessibly communicate complex information.
• Assist in the design and execution of community-informed research, including surveys, focus groups, and public listening sessions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of all aspects of EOI’s policy agenda while developing deeper expertise in specific areas as assigned.

Legislative and Government Affairs

• Provide research support to policy and advocacy staff in real-time during the legislative session, including bill tracking, fiscal analysis, and rapid response writing.
• Help develop and fact-check written and verbal testimony on budget and tax issues.
• Monitor legislative developments related to Washington’s tax and budget systems.
• Support the development of EOI’s annual legislative agenda by contributing data, analysis, and fiscal insights to senior staff.
• Represent EOI in relevant coalitions and workgroups, with guidance from the Director of Policy Development & Research.

Organizational Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Communications Director and Legislative Director to produce public-facing materials that clearly convey research findings and policy implications.
• Collaborate with the Development Director as needed to support grant applications and reports by providing timely and accurate research content.
• Participate in team retreats and planning sessions; contribute to the organization’s high-level workplan and annual priorities.
• Be available for media engagements as requested to articulate EOI’s research and policy positions.

Who You Are & Keys to Success (the must-haves):
Commitments

• To progressive public policy issues and enthusiasm for EOI's mission, policy goals, and organizational values.
• To racial equity, and the ability to establish and/or deepen a racial justice approach to communications and research methodologies.
• To contribute to a collaborative and people-centered workplace culture.
• To rigor and integrity in your work.

Characteristics

• Represents self and the organization with a high degree of personal and professional integrity.
• Takes initiative, suggests improvements, and takes a team-oriented approach.
• Practices self-reflection and works to grow professionally.
• Able to work effectively with multi-cultural and multi-racial populations.
• Understands intersections of historical and current class-, race-, and gender-based inequities.

Experience and Skills

• Strong research and analytical skills with 3–5 years of relevant experience in economics, public policy, public finance, or a related field. Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research on fiscal policy, state budgets, or tax systems is especially valuable.
• Excellent writing and communication abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to produce clear, concise, and compelling policy materials tailored to different audiences, including lawmakers, coalition partners, media, and the general public.
• Familiarity with legislative and administrative policymaking processes, ideally in Washington state.
• Commitment to economic justice, and an interest in policies that advance equity for working people and communities historically excluded from economic opportunity.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to balance multiple assignments with competing deadlines.
  Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Excel, R, Stata, or other software, as well as an understanding of how to work with public data sources, including those related to state budgets and taxation.
• Collaborative spirit, curiosity, humility, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse team and diverse coalitions across disciplines and areas of expertise.
• Experience conducting or supporting research rooted in community participation, including co-creating surveys, focus groups, or listening sessions with impacted populations to ensure policies reflect lived realities and avoid top-down approaches/solutions.

Compensation, Benefits, and Work Environment
Compensation: This is a full-time salaried (overtime exempt) position with a salary range of $96,646 to $114,646. Within the range specified for this position, the actual salary will be determined in accordance with internally published organizational policies that account for the years of working and/or lived experience (including higher education) deemed applicable to the position, as determined by the Executive Director and the President of the Board.

Benefits: Paid leave (starting with 4 weeks of paid time off and 2 weeks paid sick/safe leave), 12 paid holidays (plus paid office closure from Christmas Day through New Year's Day), employer-paid medical and dental benefits, 403(b) retirement plan (with employer contributions after 1 year of employment), an employer-paid ORCA card, an annual cost-of-living adjustment, and eligibility for a sabbatical after 5 years of employment (subject to additional conditions).

Work Environment: Most work will be conducted remotely with an option to utilize office space in downtown Seattle. Some regular in-office hours will be required each week. A typical work week is 40 hours, but longer hours may be required during legislative session, including occasional evening and weekend work. Work schedules are flexible in consultation with supervisor. Occasional work-related travel in Washington state may be required for meetings, co-working, and other projects or tasks (especially, but not only, for state legislative matters).

To Apply: This position is open until filled. Application review begins June 30. No phone calls, please. Submit your application as a single file – in either PDF (preferred) or Microsoft Word format. For full consideration, applicants should include:

• A cover letter (1-2 pages) that specifies why you are interested in this position and how your experience, background, and skills would help you succeed.
• A resume (1-2 pages) that details the names, dates, and responsibilities of your current and previous work, volunteer, education, and/or other applicable history or experience.
• A sample of a research product or report that you have previously completed and which effectively conveys your skills and capabilities.
• Three professional references (with daytime email and phone numbers). References will not be contacted without prior approval of the candidate.

Please send your application to [e-mail] with "Application – Policy & Research Associate" in the subject line.

The Economic Opportunity Institute is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups.