Research Manager (Child Care)

UDW / AFSCME Local 3930; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life / AD&D

Long Term Disability (LTD)

401(k) Savings Plan

Pension Plan

Paid Vacation Days

Personal Day (8 hours)

16 Paid Holiday

Floating Holiday

Upskilling through eLearning Platform

Job summary

United Domestic Workers (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930) in California seeks a Research Manager (Child Care) to lead research on policy, funding, and workforce issues. The role drives legislative strategy, budget analysis, and bargaining priorities to advance UDWA’s childcare agenda.

The position collaborates with Research, Government Affairs, Communications, Organizing, and Executive teams, plus external partners and coalitions, guiding data-driven policy decisions.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of California early learning and care system, public funding, collective bargaining, and state processes.
• Advanced knowledge of public policy research methods and ability to analyze complex issues using qualitative and quantitative data.
• Ability to develop strategic policy recommendations and exercise independent judgment.
• Identify policy, budget, and political trends and assess impact on UDWA priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and analysis on CA child care policy, funding, workforce issues, and legislative developments.
• Develop and implement UDWA's child care research and policy agenda.
• Conduct fiscal analyses, provider surveys, labor market research, and funding evaluations.
• Monitor legislation, regulations, and state budget proposals impacting child care providers.
• Provide strategic recommendations to leadership on policy, bargaining, advocacy, and priorities.
• Develop reports, policy briefs, presentations, analyses, and executive summaries.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives to advance organizational goals.
• Represent UDWA with policymakers, coalitions, and stakeholders.
• Translate complex data into actionable recommendations.

Skills

California policy know-how

Public policy analysis

Legislative budgeting

Strategic recommendations

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Project management

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy/Political Science/Economics/Labor Studies/Education

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legislative tracking tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

United Domestic Workers (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930) is one of California's largest labor unions, representing more than 225,000 home care and family child care providers across 45 counties. UDW advances economic, racial, and social justice while advocating for quality care, fair wages, strong public programs, and dignity for workers, seniors, people with disabilities, and children.

Job Information:

Job Title: Research Manager (Child Care)

Job Type: Exempt (Salary)

Department: Research

Reports to: Amanda Ream, Director of Strategic Research

Job Location: Hybrid (subject to change as-needed based on organizational needs)

Schedule: Full-time - Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Salary Range: $100,000 – $125,000 /year

Job Summary:

The Research Manager (Child Care) serves as UDW's lead strategist and subject matter expert on California child care policy, funding, workforce issues, collective bargaining, and legislative affairs. This role integrates research, policy analysis, budget evaluation, legislative strategy, and bargaining priorities to advance UDW's child care agenda.

The position works closely with the Research, Government Affairs, Communications, Organizing, Political, and Executive Leadership teams, as well as external partners, policymakers, and coalition organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead research and analysis on California child care policy, funding, workforce issues, and legislative developments.
• Develop and implement UDW's child care research and policy agenda.
• Conduct fiscal analyses, provider surveys, labor market research, compensation studies, and funding evaluations.
• Monitor legislation, regulations, and state budget proposals impacting child care providers.
• Provide strategic recommendations to leadership regarding policy, bargaining, advocacy, and political priorities.
• Develop reports, policy briefs, presentations, issue analyses, and executive summaries.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives and partnerships to advance organizational goals.
• Represent UDW with policymakers, government agencies, coalitions, and stakeholders.
• Translate complex data, budget, and policy information into actionable recommendations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of California early learning and care system, public funding, collective bargaining, and state legislative, regulatory, and budget processes.
• Advanced knowledge of public policy research methods and the ability to analyze complex legislative, budget, fiscal, and regulatory issues using qualitative and quantitative data.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic policy recommendations and exercise independent judgment in support of organizational decision-making.
• Ability to identify emerging policy, legislative, budget, and political trends and assess their impact on UDW's strategic priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare research and policy briefs, reports, presentations, and other materials for diverse audiences.
• Ability to communicate complex research, policy, budget, and research findings in a clear and actionable manner to executive leadership, staff, members, policymakers, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and build collaborative relationships across departments and external organizations.
• Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing organizational priorities, legislative developments, and political environments.
• Experience representing an organization before coalitions, policymakers, government agencies, or other stakeholder groups.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and research, legislative tracking, and data analysis tools.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive organizational matters.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing labor, economic, and social justice through public policy, advocacy, and collective bargaining.

Preferred Qualifications, Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Labor Studies, Education, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Significant experience in childcare policy, research, collective bargaining, labor organizations, or public policy.
• Significant experience working on childcare, education, labor and/or human services advocacy and policy.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Requirements:

• Ability to work after hours and during the weekends as required.
• Some travel is required with reliable transportation.
• Spanish
• Vietnamese
• Korean
• Tagalog
• Russian
• Assyrian
• Somali

Employee Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life / AD&D
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Pension Plan
• Paid Vacation Days
• Personal Day (8 hours)
• 16 Paid Holiday
• Floating Holiday
• Upskilling through eLearning Platform

United Domestic Workers of America has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees. As a condition of employment, our employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law.

Employee Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life / AD&D
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Pension Plan
• Paid vacation Days
• Personal Day (8 hours)
• 16 Paid Holiday
• Floating Holiday
• Upskill through eLearning platforms

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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 primarily exposed to an office-type environment. The employee will frequently work on or around office equipment and furniture. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate. The employee will frequently work with deadlines under pressure and will occasionally be required to work alone. The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor environment can include exposure to vehicles, moving mechanical parts; vibration; odors, fumes, gasses, smoke, dust, or airborne particles; and outside weather conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UDWA is an equal opportunity employer, and, as such, does not discriminate an employee or applicant based on race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, disability, or any other classification protected from discrimination under applicable law.

Notice of E-Verify Participation

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS [phone], dhs.gov/e-verify

Women, people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.