Job Title: PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR POLICY ANALYSIS - American Association of Community Colleges, Washington, DC

Deadline Date: Open Until Filled

Starting Date: Negotiable

Institution: Founded in 1920, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has become the leading proponent and the national "voice for community colleges."

Today, the association represents almost 1,200 two-year, associate degree–granting institutions and more than 11 million students, as well as a growing number of international members in Puerto Rico, Japan, Great Britain, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. The colleges are the largest and fastest-growing sector of U.S. higher education, enrolling close to half (46 percent) of all U.S. undergraduates.

AACC is the primary advocacy organization for community colleges at the national level and works closely with directors of state offices to inform and affect state policy. In addition, AACC is a member of "The Six" large, presidentially based associations and collaborates with a wide range of entities within the higher education community to monitor and influence federal policy and to collaborate on issues of common interest. The association has ongoing interaction with key federal departments and agencies including the U.S. departments of Labor, Education, Energy, Homeland Security, and Commerce and the National Science Foundation.

AACC supports and promotes its member colleges through policy initiatives, innovative programs, research and information and strategic outreach to business and industry and the national news media. Its efforts are focused in five strategic actions areas:

Recognition and Advocacy for Community Colleges
Student Access, Learning and Success
Community College Leadership Development
Economic and Workforce Development
Global and Intercultural Education

Governed by a 32-member board of directors elected by the membership, AACC is a nonprofit organization whose overriding mission is to "Build a Nation of Learners by Advancing America's Community Colleges."

We invite you to visit our Web site.

Job Duties: The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) seeks a highly qualified, motivated individual to serve as a high-level policy analyst. The individual’s chief responsibility will be to provide analysis and supporting data to guide and enhance AACC’s advocacy efforts. The individual will help AACC respond to immediate needs for the analysis of federal legislative, regulatory, and related policies and also play a central role in shaping AACC’s long-term federal policy agenda. The position is supported in part by a three-year grant and may evolve into a permanent position.

The director of policy analysis will focus on proposals relating to the performance of community colleges in serving low-income and minority students, with an emphasis on federal student financial assistance and related institutional policies. In-depth familiarity with, and interest in, current policy discussions pertaining to these issues is a necessity. Accountability, institutional performance, and college costs will also be major focuses.

The director will work closely with the government relations staff to assess current data, research, and policy deliberations concerning college access and success; help set AACC’s policy agenda (in concert with community college trustees); evaluate the impact of proposed federal legislative and regulatory policies on community colleges and their students; write periodic issue briefs; serve as a resource to the media on community college data, trends, and policy research; and represent AACC in high-level settings.

Qualifications: Qualified candidates should have a master’s degree, preferably a PhD, and substantial professional experience with federal policy discussions concerning postsecondary education and community colleges. The candidate must have the ability to work easily with a variety of higher education databases, including federal databases (e.g., IPEDS). The individual must be able to approach policy issues analytically and possess excellent writing skills. Some public speaking may be involved. Qualified candidates must also be proficient in developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with a broad range of organizations and key constituents.

Salary/Benefits: AACC offers paid health and dental benefits for employees and their dependents, 20 days of vacation per year, and a congenial work environment. Starting salary range - $105k to $115k.

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to:

Program Director for Policy Analysis Search
American Association of Community Colleges
One Dupont Circle, NW #410
Washington, DC 20036
Fax: (202) 833-2467
or via e-mail

EEO/AA: AACC is an equal opportunity employer.