[Hiring] Policy Analyst @Step Up For Students

Role Description

Do you have a passion for children and education? Would you like to positively impact families in need of help? We want to speak with you!

The Policy Analyst is a strategic partner within the Policy and Government Services team, reporting directly to the Policy Director. This highly collaborative role plays a critical part in shaping and advancing organizational policy by:

• Conducting in-depth research
• Analyzing legislative and regulatory requirements
• Supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, procedures, and statutory interpretations

As a trusted resource, the Policy Analyst provides expert policy guidance and clarification to internal stakeholders, ensuring consistent understanding and application of policies across scholarship programs and business units. The role partners closely with cross-functional teams to:

• Strengthen policy governance
• Drive operational consistency
• Support organizational compliance and effectiveness

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by enhancing policy administration, supporting informed decision-making, and contributing to the organization's mission through innovative and effective policy solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, analyze, and interpret statutes, rules, and organizational policies to support policy development, implementation, and consistent application across scholarship programs through the development of a Traceability Matrix.
• Gather, evaluate, and incorporate feedback from internal and external stakeholders to continuously improve policy documentation, program materials, and user experience.
• Develop policy-related communications, including talking points, summaries, FAQs, Q&A documents, policy memos, and guidance materials for internal and external audiences.
• Respond to and manage policy clarification requests received through Smartsheet, email, Teams, phone, and other communication channels, ensuring timely and accurate guidance.
• Review and maintain business rules by documenting statutory authority, validating policy alignment, and updating requirements as new legislation, regulations, or organizational decisions are implemented.
• Serve as the Policy team's representative on program and cross-functional workgroups, including FES-UA, FTC/FES-EO, PEP, New Worlds Scholarship Accounts (NWSA), Transportation, and other organizational initiatives.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and projects as a subject matter expert on scholarship policies, statutory requirements, and operational policy implementation.
• Communicate key updates, emerging issues, and decisions from stakeholder meetings to the Policy team to ensure alignment, awareness, and knowledge sharing.
• Maintain policy trackers, dashboards, documentation repositories, and other tools used to support policy governance, reporting, and operational effectiveness.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and operational changes that may impact scholarship program policies and assist with the implementation of resulting policy updates.
• Collaborate with business partners across the organization to identify policy impacts, support decision-making, and promote consistent policy interpretation and application.
• Develop, draft, review, edit, publish, and maintain scholarship program handbooks, purchasing guides, and other policy-related materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with statutory and organizational requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Education, Communications, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in policy analysis, regulatory compliance, program administration, business analysis, or a related field.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying policies, statutes, regulations, or business requirements.
• Strong written communication and stakeholder collaboration skills.

Requirements

• Experience in education, scholarship administration, government, nonprofit, or other regulated environments.
• Experience developing policy documents, handbooks, procedures, or guidance materials.
• Knowledge of Florida scholarship programs and education policy.
• Strong collaboration skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience implementing policy changes.

Key Competencies

• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, structured team environment.
• Ability to follow established policies/procedures/processes to ensure consistency and accuracy of results.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Professional demeanor.
• Computer literate (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe).
• Drafting, editing, designing, and publishing of supporting program documents for public use.

Interview Process

• Veriff Identity Verification
• Recruiter Video Interview
• Panel Interview with the Director, Policy and Manager, Policy

Benefits

• Enjoy medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus HSA, FSA, and Lifestyle Spending Accounts.
• Competitive 401(k) with company match to help you plan for the future.
• Remote work options and unique time-off programs—including 14 paid holidays, Care and Parental Leave, and our Flexible Leave policy.
• From mentorship programs to management training and professional development opportunities, we invest in your career journey every step of the way.
• Our dedicated coaching team is here to help you succeed, and employee-led committees give you a voice in shaping our workplace.

Working Conditions and Equipment Use

• Work is performed indoors in a typical office environment - not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance may be required, depending on role responsibilities.
• Must be able to lift up to fifteen (15) pounds.
• Frequent use of office machines to include telephone, computer, and printer.

Step Up For Students is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity & inclusion in the workplace.