Position Overview

A full-time paid position in the Little Rock office of AACF. This position will advocate for state and local education policies that improve equity in resources, opportunities, and outcomes for children, particularly for families of color and families that live in poverty. Candidates should have experience in analysis of education policy; knowledge of local, state, and federal education policy; and advocacy. Candidates should also have experience working in coalitions and with diverse groups and populations. Experience in analysis of education finance is a plus. This position must support AACF’s equity statement and be committed to supporting equity in all areas of the work. 

Salary range is $70,000 to $85,000 depending on qualifications and experience. We value diversity and equity in our work and in our workplace and strongly encourage BIPOC individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, members of other historically disenfranchised populations, and applicants with lived experience to apply.

Job Summary: Will lead AACF’s efforts to work with diverse allies and partners to improve quality early childhood education and K-12 education; and conduct analyses and develop state policies that promote educational opportunities and outcomes for children. This position reports to the Policy Director.

Education

College degree and five or more years of experience in education policy or education related field. Or Masters degree in education policy or related field and three or more years of experience in education policy or education field. Candidates who have more years of related experience will be eligible for the higher salary range.

Skills Required

• Knowledge and understanding of: local, state, and federal education policies that impact children, including strategies for improving educational outcomes for children of color and children who live in poverty; early childhood education; and P-12 education finance issues 
• Ability to conduct statistical analyses and develop policy options for improving P-12 education for children of color and children who live in poverty 
• Ability to analyze public funding streams for P-12 education 
• Ability to convene partners, build coalitions, and work collaboratively with a diverse set of public agencies, policymakers, and state and local constituency groups, including state and local education officials, legislators, education-related professional groups, advocacy groups, parents and grassroots organizing groups 
• Holistic understanding of children’s education issues and how they relate to other AACF issues such as children’s health, tax and budget issues, juvenile justice, mental health, etc.  
• Ability to write policy reports and grant proposals  
• Ability to give presentations and communicate with diverse audiences, including policymakers, the media, and low-income populations 
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment and motivate others through consensus building 
• Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks in a time-sensitive manner

Responsibilities

• Knowledge and understanding of: local, state, and federal education policies that impact children, including strategies for improving educational outcomes for children of color and children who live in poverty; early childhood education; and P-12 education finance issues 
• Ability to conduct statistical analyses and develop policy options for improving P-12 education for children of color and children who live in poverty 
• Ability to analyze public funding streams for P-12 education 
• Ability to convene partners, build coalitions, and work collaboratively with a diverse set of public agencies, policymakers, and state and local constituency groups, including state and local education officials, legislators, education-related professional groups, advocacy groups, parents and grassroots organizing groups 
• Holistic understanding of children’s education issues and how they relate to other AACF issues such as children’s health, tax and budget issues, juvenile justice, mental health, etc.  
• Ability to write policy reports and grant proposals  
• Ability to give presentations and communicate with diverse audiences, including policymakers, the media, and low-income populations 
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment and motivate others through consensus building 
• Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks in a time-sensitive manner

About Arkansas Advocates

AACF was founded in 1977 by a group of prominent Arkansans who believed that children needed an “independent force to provide information and education to parents and citizens about our state’s policies toward children and families.” For 45 years, AACF has provided leadership, research, and advocacy to promote wide-ranging reforms that have improved the lives of Arkansas’s children. The mission of AACF is to ensure that all children and their families have the resources and opportunities to lead healthy and productive lives and to realize their full potential. To carry out its mission, AACF serves as a voice for children at the Arkansas State Capitol and in Washington, D.C., gathers and analyzes data to support public policy that serves all children and families, and organizes coalitions of diverse groups to drive change across the state.

Equity at AACF
AACF has been a dynamic and effective voice for Arkansas’s children and families, guided by a vision calling for equity for all children. AACF’s work spans all policy areas impacting Arkansas’s children and families, including child welfare, economic security, COVID-19 response, early childhood, education, health, hunger, immigrant children and families, juvenile justice, tax and budget, and racial equity. Learn more about these policy areas at www.aradvocates.org/issues.

In all of this work, AACF’s racial equity focus strives to align mission and stated values with organizational practices and programs. It recognizes that structural inequity has been embedded in our national and state culture and policies and has had a lasting effect, as seen today in disparities in children’s outcomes across race and many other identities. AACF believes in intentionally engaging diverse perspectives throughout its work and is committed to amplifying the voices and wisdom of those most directly affected by systemic oppression, with a focus on building a more equitable and inclusive Arkansas to truly serve every child and family.

Read more about AACF’s history and work at www.aradvocates.org.

Compensation

Salary: Salary range is $70,000 to $85,000 depending on qualifications and experience. We value diversity and equity in our work and in our workplace and strongly encourage BIPOC individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, members of other historically disenfranchised populations, and applicants with lived experience to apply.

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas. This position works in-person in the Little Rock office. Staff can work up to 50% of their time each week at home depending on their job responsibilities. This job will require more time in meetings and in the office than 50% of their time. New staff must work full-time in-person during the first eight weeks of employment.

Benefits: AACF’s benefits include health and dental coverage, a 6% employer 401K contribution, an optional HSA with employer contribution, life insurance, long-term disability, annual leave of 15 for the first three years of employment, sick leave, flex time, 10 holidays, and sabbatical leave after 6 years of service. 

Apply Now

Please send cover letter and resume to Shyy Brown, sbrown@aradvocates.org.

Interview Process

• Stage 1*: From the time the position is advertised, AACF collects resumes for three to four weeks before interviews begin.  
• Stage 2: Up to 8 candidates may be asked to participate in an initial screening call/Zoom with the Deputy Director. 
• Stage 3: Up to 6 candidates will be asked to participate in an in-person interview with the Deputy Director. 
• Stage 4**: Up to 3 candidates will be asked to participate in an in-person interview with the Central Arkansas Development Director. 
• Stage 5: Final candidates will be asked to participate in a final interview with the Executive Director before the decision is made. 

*Candidates can continue to apply after the interviews begin. AACF accepts applications until the position is filled. Once interviews begin, the process can take up to 4 months before a final decision is made depending on number of candidates and scheduling availability of candidates and staff. 

**Candidates who make it to stage 4 will receive a one-time payment of $100 to participate.