Position Announcement: Senior Policy Analyst or Policy Analyst

Nov 09, 2023

By Rose Bender

Montana Budget & Policy Center is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst or a Policy Analyst (depending on experience) to lead the organization’s efforts in researching and developing policy solutions related to affordable housing, services, and care for people facing houselessness or housing insecurity. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience to help advance housing policy in Montana or someone with less experience to begin working in this field. The portfolio also includes MBPC’s work monitoring state budget trends impacting Montanans with low incomes, assisting organizational leadership in executing MBPC’s advocacy and legislative agenda, and efforts to address racial and gender inequities. An additional focus of this position includes working with coalition partners and deepening relationships in impacted communities to inform policy objectives. The Senior Policy Analyst/Policy Analyst reports directly to the Director of Research.

MBPC is dedicated to advancing responsible tax, budget, and economic policies through credible research and analysis to promote opportunity and fairness for all Montanans. Since its founding in 2008, MBPC has been a trusted resource for information on critical fiscal debates shaping Montanans’ future.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Research Strategy, Vision, and Leadership (Senior Policy Analyst Only)

• In partnership with organizational leadership, develop a vision and strategic goals for advancing housing policy in the state.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of research, including a focus on access to safe and stable housing in Montana.
• Identify, research, and develop public policy solutions, including policies to support families in accessing affordable housing.
• Identify and assess emerging research and policy gaps and potential opportunities for MBPC on research and advancing policy options.
• In coordination with the Director of Research, support the development of key relationships with an array of stakeholders, including elected officials, state legislative and executive branch staff, journalists, and partner organizations.
• Serve as the lead staff member in coalition spaces related to public policy and research topics, representing the organization.

Research and Policy Work

• Monitors and analyzes state and federal policy, with an emphasis on housing and state budget.
• Develops and writes a variety of external deliverables, including full-length reports, briefing documents, blogs, fact sheets, legislative testimony, and data visualizations focusing on synthesizing technical information into relatable, simplified materials.
• Participates in housing coalition spaces, serves as a point person for housing policy in Montana for partners, and acts as liaison to national partner organizations.
• Provides public education, including briefings, serving on panels, and delivering presentations in various venues.

Qualifications

• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.
• A willingness to engage in anti-racism efforts, both internally and externally.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex or technical information to a range of audiences, both in writing and through public speaking.
• Excellent research skills.
• Highly developed attention to detail.
• Organized and able to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and work effectively with diverse audiences and constituencies.
• An ability to think strategically and work in a collaborative working environment.
• Fluency in the Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
• A college degree in a relevant field is preferred. Work experience may substitute for educational requirements.

Senior Policy Analyst only

• Extensive knowledge of housing policy or other relevant policy area
• Experience with state or federal policy, especially experience with state legislative process, preferred.
• A college degree plus three years of work experience in research/policy, organizing, and/or advocacy, preferably advancing housing policy or other areas of economic security. Work experience in a relevant field may substitute for educational requirements.

Position Details

The ideal candidate will work full-time and be based in Helena. Candidates based in other locations in Montana will be considered.

The salary range for a policy analyst is $50,000 – $57,000 and for a senior policy analyst is $60,000 -

$67,000, commensurate with experience. MBPC offers excellent benefits, including health insurance, dental insurance, flex funds, retirement, and generous paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, sabbatical, and paid family and medical leave.

To Apply:

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by email to: rbender@montanabudget.org.

The position is open until filled. Initial application review will include all applications received by November 27.

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the description, we still encourage you to apply. We strongly encourage applicants with lived experience and from underrepresented identities, including but not limited to people of all ethnic/racial backgrounds, people of all gender identities/gender expressions, people with disabilities, individuals living on low-incomes, and LGBTQ+ persons.