The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Minority staff seeks a qualified candidate to support the Committee’s legislative activities related to K-12 education. Additional expertise with educational civil rights issues and education research and development, is a plus. Three to five years related policy experience is required. Hill or agency experience is preferred. Vermont ties a plus. Interested applicants should apply to this position by emailing a cover letter, resume, and writing sample in a single PDF to helpeducation@help.senate.gov no later than 9:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2026. Please include the position title (“K-12 Policy Advisor”) in the subject line. The office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. Please no calls or drop-in visits, thank you.

Among other issues and responsibilities, this position will be responsible for:

• Having expertise in K-12 education issues, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
• Assisting with the short- and long-term planning of education priorities for the Ranking Member and the caucus.
• Reviewing, analyzing, developing, and drafting policy, legislative, report, regulatory, and guidance language and/or proposals, including policy proposals that are well-grounded in evidence-based or educational research and practice.
• Understanding federal legislative, executive, and administrative processes and procedures and how to effectively use these processes and procedures for policy advancement.
• Advising on, developing, and implementing strategies for policy outreach, education, collaboration, partnership, and advancement among policymakers and education organizations and affected parties.
• Conducting agency oversight and preparing materials, including for hearings, floor debate, and events.
• Monitoring policy implementation, including effectiveness and providing feedback on needed improvements.
• Attending constituent and stakeholder meetings.

Qualifications and Experience

• Exceptional writing and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in different contexts, through different products, and to different audiences.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise working on K-12 education issues. Additional experience with educational civil rights and education research and development is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in collecting, synthesizing, and evaluating information to support policymakers in using research to develop policy—often in time-sensitive situations.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage and coordinate several projects simultaneously, support team members, and track complex tasks.
• A commitment to supporting the learning of other team members and working collaboratively in ways that support their success on projects.
• Demonstrated ability to plan effectively and the flexibility to handle the unexpected.
• Three to five years related policy experience is required. Hill or agency experience is preferred.

Dispositions

• Passion for ensuring that all children, youth, and students receive empowering and equitable learning, especially students the furthest from opportunity.
• A desire to build a government that works for working people.
• The ability to both work independently and foster collaborative working relationships, and to work well in a team-setting in ways that foster individual and collective success.
• A demonstrated commitment to excellence and equity in carrying out the internal and external responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to execute and exhibit good judgement, discretion, and trust.