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Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst – Federal Fiscal and Economic Policy

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities seeks a Policy Analyst or Senior Policy Analyst to conduct analyses and design policy proposals across a wide range of federal budget and economic issues.

The Center is a non-profit research organization with a mission to improve the well-being of low- and moderate-income people and has a national reputation for rigorous analysis of fiscal policies and an ability to influence policy debates. The Center is highly collaborative and collegial, working in and across teams to conduct research, co-author reports, and advance policy recommendations.

The Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst will be part of the Center’s Federal Fiscal Policy team and will work with senior team members who have deep experience in economic policy and federal budget and tax issues. A substantial part of the Analyst’s role will be to help interpret, critique, explain, and apply academic and other original research to the Center’s policy work. Research relevant to the team’s work in issues including taxation, economic security programs, and the macroeconomy (such as the fiscal response to the recession and recovery) often spans a variety of disciplines, but especially applied micro- and macroeconomics. The analyst does not have to bring deep research experience across such a wide variety of issue areas to the role, but must be curious to apply their analytical skills to a broad range of fiscal policy issues.

Most of the work of the Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst will be highly relevant to current legislative developments so the role offers a unique insight into federal policymaking processes and an opportunity to help influence major policy decisions. Center analyses and experts are quoted frequently in the press and relied upon heavily by policymakers. 

Responsibilities 

  • Conduct and write policy analyses, including on fiscal and economic policy issues, especially as they relate to low- and moderate-income people. 
  • Interpret, critique, and explain academic and other original research and apply it to the Center’s policy work.
  • Keep up to speed with relevant new research in applied microeconomics, applied macroeconomics, and other relevant disciplines. 
  • Organize and lead collaborative research processes with the Federal Fiscal Policy team and other teams across the Center.   
  • Respond to information requests from policymakers, the media, and other national organizations, often on tight deadlines. 
  • Help to train and supervise the Federal Fiscal Policy team’s budget and tax research assistants/associates and interns. 
  • Keep up to speed with congressional and media developments to help identify opportunities for the Center to influence policy or public opinion.      

Requirements 

  • A commitment to the Center’s mission to improve the well-being of low- and moderate-income people.  
  • A commitment to advancing racial equity and inclusion across multiple dimensions, in policy analysis and advocacy as well as the Center’s internal and external relationships.  
  • An exemplary commitment to accuracy, and a high degree of organization.
  • Strong quantitative skills, including proficiency with Excel and with statistical packages.
  • Strong writing skills, including the ability to explain highly technical concepts to a variety of audiences, including policymakers, advocates, and the media, and to synthesize data and research into clear, effective arguments. 
  • Strong research skills, including the ability to use and interpret a wide range of sources, such as legislation, regulations, and academic work in fiscal policy and economics. 
  • Ability to manage processes and to prioritize and handle multiple responsibilities under time pressure. 
  • An ability both to show initiative and develop analyses independently, and to work as part of a highly collaborative team.
  • A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
  • Policy Analyst: At least four years of experience working in fiscal, economic, or tax policy. A master’s degree in a relevant field (including economics, policy, or applied statistics) may be substituted for two years’ work experience.
  • Senior Policy Analyst: At least seven years of experience working in fiscal, economic, or tax policy. Years of graduate study in a relevant field (including economics, policy, or applied statistics) beyond master’s level may substitute for work experience.

Preferred or desired 

  • Experience working on and knowledge of fiscal policy issues is a strong plus but not required.
  • Relevant work experience, or a PhD or other equivalent degree beyond the master’s level is a plus but not required.
  • Experience training, supervising, and developing entry-level staff is a plus but not required.  

This position reports to the Senior Director of Economic Policy.

Terms of Employment: Full-time, exempt.
Bargaining Unit Status: This is a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary and title commensurate with experience; excellent benefits, including three health insurance options, dental and vision care, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, flexible spending and dependent childcare accounts, and generous vacation leave, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

Please upload a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample with your application. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to the mission of the Center. 

Please submit  your application here.  

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.