Summary: The Policy Analyst is responsible for supporting KidsOhio.org’s nonpartisan education policy agenda. The Analyst researches and analyzes key data that affect children in Central Ohio and statewide, with an emphasis on disadvantaged students. The Analyst assists in the development of recommendations for solutions based on proven and promising practices.  The Analyst shares responsibility for educating key stakeholders about the needs of Ohio’s children through publications, presentations, participation in community partnerships, and the KidsOhio.org website.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all aspects of the position, as described below, satisfactorily. The information listed below is representative of the characteristics of the position and the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education / Experience:

Bachelor’s degree – required; Graduate/Professional degree – preferred

Experience in education, public administration, public policy, or advocacy – required

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following; other duties may be assigned:

• Documents students’ needs and identifies strategies and priorities for addressing those needs.

• Effectively communicates information to key stakeholders, including public officials, community leaders, foundations, and education and youth-aligned organizations.

• Works closely with other data-generating organizations, e.g., The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Columbus City Schools, Ohio Department of Education, etc.

• Responds to inquiries from colleagues and the general public.

• Keeps abreast of current research in the field and identifies emerging issues.

• Participates in special programs and manages projects, as directed.

• Assists with the organization’s ongoing grant writing and other development efforts.

• Assists with operational tasks, such as event planning, as needed.

• Works with the President and acts as part of a policy team on efforts related to state and local education policy, including but not limited to the following: 1) Engages in research and works with school districts, state personnel, and policymakers to produce publications; 2) Creates and updates presentations on a variety of education issues to be used with community leaders, business leaders, and neighborhood organizations; and 3) Develops literature detailing school district and state budget processes, requiring discussions with state and school district personnel, data analysis, comparative research involving large urban school districts, and best-practices research.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Language Skills:
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, and or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and policy briefs.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of colleagues, clients, customers, and the general public.

• Reasoning Ability:
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of information and deal with several abstract and concrete variables at once.

• Computer Skills:
  • Microsoft Office proficiency (in particular, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
  • Familiarity with SPSS and geographic information system (GIS) concepts and software preferred.

• Strong analytic, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate and summarize technical issues into objective language easily understood by the public.

• Ability to accept constructive criticism.

• Ability to work with diverse groups of people.

• Must be comfortable communicating with a wide range of public and private agencies.  Represent KidsOhio.org at policy and community events.

• Ability to research and locate information quickly.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and take independent initiative to perform tasks that serve to advance a nonpartisan public policy agenda.

• Understanding of public education issues.

• Commitment to improving urban schools.

• Ability to travel and to work occasional evenings and weekends.  Will be expected to attend Columbus City School Board meetings and other community meetings.

• Ability to effectively use listening, observation, reading, verbal, nonverbal, and writing skills.

• Ability to react appropriately to interruptions, changing conditions, and a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to demonstrate professionalism and contribute to a positive work environment.

• Ability to identify and implement procedures that improve productivity.

• Ability to uphold the organization’s policies and follow guidelines and procedures.

• Ability to maintain an acceptable attendance record and punctuality.

• Ability to accept personal responsibility for decisions and conduct.

• Ability to wear appropriate work attire and maintain a professional demeanor.

• Ability to develop rapport and serve as a positive role model for others.

• Ability to respect personal privacy.

• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information.

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 job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Statement:

KidsOhio.org does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, genetic information, or age in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

This job description summary does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. This job description is subject to change in response to funding variables, emerging technologies, improved operating procedures, productivity factors, and unforeseen events.

To apply for this position, please e-mail your résumé with cover letter to:

Mary Hopmann

mhopmann@kidsohio.org
(Please attach your documents as MS Word or PDF files)

Applications are due by noon, Monday, February 13, 2012

Salary is based on experience

KidsOhio.org is an equal opportunity employer.

• 43 percent of students in Franklin County school districts were children of color in 2011 – up from 34 percent in 2001;
• All 16 Franklin County school districts had a higher rate of students of color in 2011 than in 2001; and
• 63 percent of the 18,518 public charter school students in Franklin County were children of color.

Moreover, nearly half (47.6 percent) of students of color in the 16 Franklin County school districts attend a suburban school, thus dispelling the myth that most minorities live in Columbus.

Growing diversity is one of the great strengths of Franklin County. While we work to close educational and economic achievement gaps, diversity can enrich our students’ educational experiences, promote personal growth, and help connect the Columbus region to the international economy.  Understanding and taking advantage of our community’s demographic shift is key to strengthening Central Ohio’s schools, colleges, and economic competitiveness.  We hope this report educates community leaders about the need to prepare our students for citizenship in an increasingly diverse workplace and global community.

Click here to read the full report.

KidsOhio recently chatted with six of these leaders, each representing a different sector of Ohio’s public education system: Stan Heffner, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Rhonda Johnson, President of Ohio’s largest local teacher union; Eric Gordon, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District; Kyle Newton, Superintendent of Crooksville City Schools, a rural district in Southeastern Ohio; and Chad Carr and Brian Carlton, Principal and Assistant Principal of Columbus Preparatory Academy, a highly- rated charter school.

We talked about the challenges, successes, and lessons learned in year-one of the RttT grant. We also talked about what is in store for year-two. Lessons learned: Common goals, strategic planning, consistent monitoring of success, and quick adjustments to what is not working are essential to making headway in four-years’ time.

Click here to read the report.

View the PowerPoint presentation here: Ohio’s Path to Educational Success

View a video of the briefing here:  Video Presentation of ODE’s August 29 Briefing

The new State Superintendent of Education, Stan Heffner, and other Ohio Department of Education staff will explain the many budgetary and policy changes in the newly-enacted two-year state budget.

Ohio’s Newly-Enacted State Education Budget and Related Policy Changes

Educational Service Center of Central Ohio

2080 Citygate Drive • Columbus, OH  43219

Monday, August, 29, 2011, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

(Registration and coffee at 8:00 a.m.)

Limited Seating

You must confirm your attendance with Elaine Organ at 614.542.4115 or elaine.organ@escco.org

Note: The briefing will be simulcast statewide on www.escco.org/budget and will be available for viewing at any time.

We hope to see you there!

On August 16, 2011 at 7pm, Sue will interview KidsOhio president, Mark Real. The two will discuss a range of education issues related to Columbus City Schools.

Tune in at 90.5 FM or at www.wcbe.org.

KidsOhio’s latest report, Ohio’s Race to the Top Effort Continues amid Leadership Changes, describes how the Ohio’s Race to the Top $400 million plan continues “seamlessly” despite changes in leadership in the offices of governor, state superintendent of education, and state school board president.  More than one million students are enrolled in Race to the Top schools.

The report features excerpts from video interviews with Dr. Robert Sommers, Director, Governor’s Office of 21^st Century Education, and Dr. Michael Sawyers, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Race to the Top Initiatives, commenting on the purpose and progress of Ohio’s Race to the Top effort.  In addition, the report contains interviews with two front-line educators who are implementing Race to the Top in their districts.

To read the report, “Ohio’s Race to the Top Effort Continues,” click here

To view the 1 minute, 8 second video interview with Dr. Michael Sawyers, click play below.

To view the 6 minute, 35 second video interview with Dr. Michael Sawyers, click play below.

To view the 56 second video interview with Dr. Robert Sommers, click play below.

To view the 5 minute, 49 second video interview with Dr. Robert Sommers, click play below.

1)      50 percent of students were economically disadvantaged;

2)      90 percent  or more of disadvantaged fourth graders passed the state reading test; and

3)      the school was rated Effective or higher on the state report card.

Click here to read the report.

1. To view the “Ohio eight urban counties’ district, charter, and voucher enrollment by county” chart, click here.
2. To view the “Ohio eight urban counties’ district, charter, and voucher enrollment by district” chart, click here.
3. To view the “District, charter, and voucher enrollment in the 16 Franklin County school districts” chart, please click here.
4. To view the “How many Columbus students are attending charter schools and which schools are they attending?” chart, click here.
5. To view the “How many Columbus students are using a voucher to attend a private school and which schools are they attending?” chart, click here.

To view a recording of this briefing, and for copies of Dr. Sommers’ Power Point presentation and handouts, please click here.