Senior Associate, State Technical Assistance, Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative in Washington

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Government Performance Portfolio within Pew's Government Performance team provides the nonpartisan research, solutions, and momentum decision-makers need to ensure our institutions improve the health of people in the United States and enable them to successfully climb the economic ladder. Those goals are pursued through a wide range of the portfolio’s policy-focused projects—from ensuring states’ finances are prepared for future volatility, to unlocking gateways to mental health care, to addressing the nation’s lack of attainable housing.

Pew’s Government Performance team is successful when we:

• Foresee systemic challenges that could be avoided, mitigated, or resolved before they become insurmountable or politically toxic.
• Fill information gaps with data, research, and proven models.
• Hold leaders of institutions accountable to ensure they anticipate future challenges and operate efficiently.
• Minimise missed opportunities when people intersect with our nation’s institutions.

We hope policymakers, funding partners, and other stakeholders celebrate when Pew’s Government Performance team enters a new policy space, launches a new effort, or expands an existing project because they recognise we help:

• Elevate the public profile of a problem
• Demonstrate that success is possible
• Bring cohesion to siloed fields
• Create momentum for broader and lasting change

Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative (SUPTI)

The substance use prevention and treatment initiative works to develop and support policies that increase initiation of medications for opioid use disorder. The project provides direct, in-depth technical assistance by invitation of states interested in improving access to evidence-based, high-quality treatment for people with opioid use disorder. The project also conducts advocacy in Washington, D.C., to achieve its programmatic objectives.

To inform this work, the project conducts and publishes research and other information on evidence-based and emerging practices and maintains relationships with external experts and other stakeholders. The team comes from a wide variety of professional backgrounds with policy, advocacy, and research experience.

Position Overview

Working closely with team members and support staff from communications, government relations, and other Pew departments, the senior associate will provide project management and strategic guidance for one or more states’ technical assistance efforts. This work includes participating in the development and implementation of Pew’s state campaigns to expand access to effective treatment for substance use disorders through policy analysis, conducting key informant interviews, and planning and facilitating stakeholder meetings, conferences, webinars, and other events designed to inform policymakers and achieve the project’s goals.

The senior associate also assists with special assignments, including identifying and analyzing emerging issues related to substance use disorders and contributing to the development of written materials such as fact sheets, issue briefs, and policy memoranda. This position, based in Pew’s Washington, DC office, reports to the manager, state policy Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative. This position participates in Pew’s hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to telework the remaining days. Staff also enjoy four telework “flex weeks” per year. The position has a set time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program, funding sources, and board decisions on continued support.

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that inspires excellence, values impact, encourages transparency, builds mutual trust and respect, embraces and values diversity, and is collaborative, caring and compassionate.
• Lead state policy engagements that inform state legislation and regulation through customized research and analysis. Complete or coordinate policy scans, political assessments, behavioral health research, and state advocacy efforts.
• Represent Pew in state advocacy activities, including meetings with policymakers, presentations, and testimony, in accordance with applicable laws and Pew policies. Develop advocacy materials in collaboration with project leadership, government relations, legal affairs, and subject matter experts.
• Plan, organize, and implement stakeholder meetings, expert panels, webinars, conference panels, roundtables, and/or other events as necessary, to gather insights, build relationships, identify policy opportunities and barriers, and support state policy objectives.
• Develop evidence-based policy recommendations that help states expand equitable and timely access to medications for opioid disorder. Provide policymakers with clear analyses of treatment-system performance, disparities in access to care, implementation barriers and promising policy approaches.
• Collaborate with other substance use prevention and treatment initiative staff, including strategic advisors, subject matter experts, and data experts to support state policy engagements, and, as appropriate, coordinate with other Pew departments, including those dedicated to research quality, legal compliance, and government relations.
• Contribute to and participate in tasks of the project and department as assigned, as well as broader Pew-wide objectives and committees as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Generally, four years of applicable experience. Experience in policy or health-related discipline is required.
• Professional experience in substance use disorders or related research or health care policy area preferred along with experience developing and implementing state-based policy campaigns and initiatives.
• Experience writing and editing written materials for internal and external audiences, including policy reports, fact sheets, web content, issue briefs, presentations, talking points, and expert testimony.
• Quickly focuses on the key aspect of an issue as well as identifies, understands, and synthesises different policy perspectives.
• Writes clearly and effectively for internal audiences, policymakers, the media and the public with examples of prior work available upon request.
• Demonstrated project- and time-management skills, along with a track record of thinking strategically and creatively.
• Proven experience managing multiple priorities, adapting to changing circumstances, solving problems effectively, and maintaining attention to detail.

Key attributes and preferred experience

• Effectively manages state policy engagements and ensures the timely completion of project deliverables.
• Possesses acute political awareness and non-partisan perspective and approach. Understands national and state initiatives related to substance use prevention and treatment, with a thorough understanding of policy approaches and supporting evidence.
• Communicates effectively with diverse audiences, including stakeholders, policymakers, legislators, and people with lived experience.

Travel

Regular domestic travel up to two times per month for meetings and conferences.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range

United States Pay Range: $87,200 - $97,500. The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.

Summary

Location: Washington, DC (901 E) Type: Full time