Outreach and Policy Advisor

Job Description

The Outreach and Policy Advisor will be staff to the Committee on Catholic Education with responsibility to assist bishops on federal policies and programs dealing with PK-12 education, with a special emphasis on assisting bishops and dioceses with implementation of the federal tax credit scholarship program. The Outreach and Policy Advisor offers analysis related to the tax credit and other federal programs; collaborates, communicates and coordinates with offices and groups inside and outside the Conference on behalf of elementary and secondary education as it pertains to education public policy; provides policy analysis on matters concerning K-12 schools and is directly responsible to the Director in all such matters; and contributes to the Bishops' strategic plan for the Conference. The Outreach and Policy Advisor should demonstrate willingness and ability to understand, respect and contribute to the USCCB mission and to fulfill job duties in accordance with its Catholic identity. Must be a practicing Catholic, registered in a Catholic parish, who embraces, upholds and promotes in every aspect of his/her work the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church.

1. Staff to the Committee on Catholic Education with a special emphasis on the implementation of the federal tax credit and related public policy issues pertaining to elementary and secondary schools, their students, and teachers.
2. Coordinates and consults with outside professionals, superintendents, and state Catholic conference officials who advise the Secretariat on education policy and trends that affect private and Catholic schools.
3. Monitors and provides analysis on federal public policy to support the bishops' PK-12 education priorities.
4. Maintains good relationships with the Catholic school community within the context of total education in the United States, in order to help increase the equitable treatment of Catholic school students and teachers in current and proposed federal educational programs.
5. Coordinates and collaborates federal efforts with State Catholic Conferences, superintendents and advocacy groups in order to gain support for USCCB policy initiatives.
6. Serves as a liaison, with the Director, between the Catholic school community, the U.S. Department of Education, the Administration, and other educational groups (e.g., NCEA, ICLE, etc.) in order to maximize participation of Catholic school students and teachers.
7. Liaison/staff to public policy advisory groups and other coalition meetings.
8. Serves as the point staff person re: K-12 students with disabilities; state and local accreditation issues; and the intersection between law and private and Catholic schools.
9. Works in a collaborative manner with other staff members of the USCCB's Office of Catholic Education and with other USCCB Offices.
10. Develops annual plans, programs, and budgets necessary to fulfill the USCCB's mission and objectives.
11. Supports the work of the Committee on Catholic Education by analyzing patterns and trends in Catholic education and by conducting research to support initiatives of the Committee.

Education: Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred
Major Field/Specialty: Education, Administration

Other Specialized Training:
• A sound understanding of Catholic teaching, church structures, and practices.
• A sound knowledge of Catholic elementary and secondary education.
• Proficiency in technological aspects of office life, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, e-mail communications, Internet, social media, etc.
• Able to maintain collaborative working relationships, be proactive, and think creatively.
• Excellent speaking, writing and editing skills.
• Working knowledge in several professional disciplines, including the ability to integrate information from a variety of diverse sources, and the ability to work collaboratively with all elements of the staff on a variety of joint tasks and projects.
• Basic knowledge of collaboration and public advocacy.

Type and Nature of Professional Experience:
• Administrative experience at the diocesan or state level.
• Experience with public policy issues.
• Experience in Catholic elementary and/or secondary schools.
• Experience in Church systems and structures.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures.
• Collaborating with peers, colleagues, and others to achieve mission goals and objectives

Years of Experience: 7 years of related work experience

Salary Range: $90,000 to $100,000

About the Employer

Our mission is to support the ministry of bishops with an emphasis on evangelization, by which the bishops exercise in a communal and collegial manner certain pastoral functions entrusted to them by the Lord Jesus of sanctifying, teaching, and governing