Senior Associate, Policy

Position Supervisor: Assistant Director of Policy

Classification Level: Full-Time Exempt

Location: Arlington, VA / Hybrid

Position Timeline: Temporary: January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2029

APHSA is recruiting new talent! We are seeking a policy professional to support our child care and early childhood portfolio. This role will help state and local health and human services agencies advance effective policies, strengthen child care and early childhood systems, and improve equitable access to services that support the well-being of children and families.

APHSA is an Association representing state and local agencies in the health and human services field. With and through these members, we work to advance solutions that are centered on administering, overseeing, and aligning programs to provide access to food, health care, employment, childcare, community support, and other key building blocks.

Join a team of dedicated professionals who are results-oriented and are impacting systems across the nation! Our team at APHSA is looking for a critical, strategic thinker who is action-oriented, comfortable facilitating communities of thought leaders and partners, and adept at working across teams and in a fast-paced environment.

Your main focus will be advancing child care and early childhood policy, supporting state child care administrators, building strategic partnerships, and developing practical resources for members. You will collaborate with internal teams and federal, state, local, and community partners to connect policy priorities with the experiences of administering agencies and the children and families they serve.

Your direct supervisor and coach will be an Assistant Director of Policy. Your support will be the entire APHSA organization because we work best when we all work together!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Associate serves a key role on APHSA’s policy team, managing projects and implementing initiatives aligned with APHSA’s mission and member priorities, with a primary focus on child care and early childhood. The role combines federal and state policy analysis, member engagement, strategic partnerships, and project implementation to strengthen state systems and advance positive outcomes for children and families.

Working with members and partners, this position translates policy developments, research, and emerging trends into accessible analyses, practical resources, and opportunities for peer learning. The Senior Associate also supports the National Association of State Child Care Administrators (NASCCA) and contributes to grant-funded initiatives and APHSA convenings.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitor and analyze federal legislation, regulations, guidance, and emerging federal and state policy developments affecting child care and early childhood systems.

• Develop timely, accurate, and accessible policy analyses, briefings, and recommendations for APHSA members and leadership, and support policy positions and formal responses informed by member perspectives and organizational priorities.

• Coordinate and support NASCCA leadership and all-state meetings, facilitating peer learning, information sharing, and collaboration among state and territorial child care administrators.

• Identify emerging member challenges, priorities, and technical assistance needs to inform APHSA’s work, and strengthen communication between state administrators and federal leadership.

• Develop and maintain relationships with federal agencies, national organizations, researchers, and other child care and early childhood stakeholders, and represent APHSA and its members in policy discussions and collaborative initiatives.

• Develop newsletters, publications, webinars, and other resources that communicate policy developments, elevate promising practices, and support member learning.

• Contribute subject matter expertise and project support to grant-funded initiatives focused on child care access, equity, and improved early childhood outcomes. Coordinate work plans, deliverables, and milestones with internal teams and external partners.

• Develop practical resources, tools, and written products that support state and local implementation of effective child care policies and practices.

• Analyze member-informed data and field trends to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and support meaningful reporting on project progress and outcomes.

• Support planning and implementation of APHSA conferences, meetings, and other convenings related to child care and early childhood development, including identifying topics, speakers, and opportunities to highlight member experiences and innovative practices.

• Collaborate across APHSA teams to advance broader organizational priorities and integrated projects.

• Perform other duties as assigned.