Research and Policy Analyst

We Are CASA; Hyattsville (MD); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

16 paid holidays

Excellent benefits package

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Employee development reimbursement

401(k) with match

Mileage reimbursements and cell phone

Job summary

We Are CASA’s Research and Policy Analyst position offers an opportunity to develop technical policy skills within a small, high-impact team. The role focuses on policy analysis and campaigns to improve lives for immigrant and working-class communities across Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The team leverages public data, literature reviews and stakeholder insights to craft memos, briefs, op-eds, and data products while coordinating advocacy events and legislative engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Two years minimum in advocacy or coalition-building.
• Experience with immigrant or low-income communities preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, French or Haitian Creole preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyze immigration, housing, labor, climate, and criminal justice data.
• Write policy memos, briefs, and handbooks translating data into policy recommendations.
• Develop advocacy calendars and coordinate with departments for events.
• Present to external audiences and engage legislators and agencies as needed.
• Build and maintain networks of state and local advocacy leaders.
• Synthesize research into policy briefs and op-eds for diverse audiences.

Skills

Policy analysis

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Verbal and written communication

Advocacy experience

Bilingual English/Spanish or French/Cr

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or comparable experience

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

WE ARE CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS

We Are CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. We Are CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS

We Are CASA’s Political Institute provides thought leadership and promotes evidence-based policies, practices, and initiatives to address emerging and long-term needs of immigrant and working families. Our strategies focus on systemic change within housing, immigration, climate and environment, healthcare, and economic justice on the local, state, and national level. The Political Institute facilitates the organization’s partner and ally involvement leading and supporting state and local coalitions that align with current organization campaign goals. Our goal is to achieve transformational change through strategic planning, research and development, coalition building, effective advocacy, and implementation.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will provide an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate and develop technical research and policy skills as part of a small but high-impact and hard-working team. We Are CASA’s Research and Policy Analyst will play an integral role in devising and executing policy analysis and campaigns to improve the lives of working-class: Black/Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities living in Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilize various public and private datasets to conduct advanced data and statistical analysis on immigration, affordable housing, labor, climate , criminal justice, and other issues.
• Conduct literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, policy evaluations, and qualitative research to inform public policy recommendations.
• Research state and local policies in the realms of environmental and climate justice, healthcare, housing, worker’s rights, education, and other issues.
• Stay immersed in the scholarly and academic research across all relevant fields to ensure that We Are CASA research and analysis remains on the cutting edge.
• Create new data products in We Are CASA’s core issue areas.
• Write policy memos, briefs, and handbooks for key audiences that translate data insights into actionable policy recommendations.
• Independently devise and author incisive short pieces in We Are CASA’s core issue areas.
• Draft persuasive pieces such as op-eds or essays in We Are CASA’s core issue areas.
• Synthesize We Are CASA’s research and policy insights into products tailored to different audiences.
• Advocate directly with state government officials, and local government representatives to share CASA data and insights and feedback into We Are CASA key issues and concerns. Monitor key opportunities to engage the public at critical advocacy moments on policy and funding. Develop a calendar of events including advocacy days and bill hearings and, in coordination with other We Are CASA departments, ensure quality community mobilization on such events.
• Prepare fact sheets, take action alerts, member profiles, written and verbal testimony, petitions, and other written advocacy documents as needed on agenda priorities.
• Represent We Are CASA on issue-related boards and task forces.
• Build and maintain a network/database of state and local advocacy leaders aligned in We Are CASA’s work by participating in calls, meetings, webinars, panels and written exchanges sharing We Are CASA’s values, data and expertise.
• Present to external audiences on behalf of We Are CASA and represent the organization at conferences and other venues. Respond to stakeholder and media requests for data and information as needed.
• Engage legislators, relevant agency staff, and candidates to educate regarding We Are CASA and CASA in Action priorities.
• Understand and promote We Are CASA membership and services.
• Meet deadlines established by supervisor and in Department and individual work plan.
• Think creatively about ways to improve further his/her specific job and the organizations.
• Other Duties as Assigned

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

• Bachelor’s degree required or comparable experience, advanced degree a plus.
• Valid US Driver’s License and a reliable vehicle

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Ability to perform all of the duties outlined above.
• Deep commitment to social change and to growing We Are CASA and CASA in Action as membership organizations in which members have decision-making authority.
• Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with the policymaking process gained through prior work experience in the federal government, on the Hill, or in state or local government
• Demonstrated fluency in methods of both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and negotiation skills. Ability to connect with a wide variety of administrative, organizational, and grassroots leaders.
• Outgoing and highly charismatic personality a must.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple ongoing projects. Position requires strong attention to detail and relentless follow-up.
• Experience working with immigrant or low-income communities; commitment to progressive issues
• Skills with Microsoft Office or Google Suite software.
• Ability to hold privileged information in a professional and confidential manner.
• At least two years of experience creating partnerships and coalitions.
• At least two years of experience with advocacy and lobbying experience.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, French or Haitian Creole preferred

COMPENSATION

$55,000 - $63,368

BENEFITS DESCRIPTION

Who is eligible?

• All full time and part time permanent positions working 20 hours or more per week.

What We Offer:

• Generous paid time off , including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees. Note: this is applicable to full time employees, and pro-rated for part time.
• Sixteen (16) paid holidays per calendar year.
• Excellent Benefits Package including employer paid benefits as follow:
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance (CASA pays 100% of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
  • Basic life and AD&D
  • Long and Short Term Disability insurance
  • Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at We Are CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $3,000.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional voluntary benefits:
  • FSA Account including Dependent Care.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
  • Supplemental Health insurance.
• Allowances:
  • Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on We Are CASA business.
  • Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for We Are CASA business.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk.

When it comes to physical strength, the employee will required to perform medium work.The employee may be required to lift up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OSHA

This position is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

Union Representation

This is a union position, represented in collective bargaining by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communication Workers of America, Local WBNG 32035 - Communication Workers of America (CWA). If you are offered and accept this position, you will be invited to become a member of the union. All bargaining unit positions require membership or agency fee payer status.

We Are CASA and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.