Policy Analyst (Motivational Interviewing)

Chapin Hall is seeking an experienced Policy Analyst to join our Policy Team. The Policy team consists of national experts in child welfare, juvenile justice, homelessness, and mental health services dedicated to collaborating with state and local jurisdictions to integrate the best available evidence into system transformation strategies. The team works across five interconnected domains of capacity building and systems change, including: data analytics and evidence use; leadership, governance and strategy; practice and implementation supports; policy and fiscal alignment; and continuous quality improvement. Because the Policy team supports a broad and interrelated portfolio of contracts, the Policy Analyst can expect to contribute to multiple projects and for specific assignments to shift over time as the needs of the portfolio change.

FUNCTION - SCOPE STATEMENT

This position will report directly to a Chapin Hall Senior Policy Analyst or Policy Fellow and allows for remote work and periodic in-person attendance at Chicago, IL meetings. Additionally, this position will participate in daily virtual meetings and travel to the east and/or west coast for in-person meetings depending on assigned projects.

The Policy Analyst will work with a collaborative and integrated research and policy team to bring a unique blend of scientific research, real world experience, and policy expertise to partnering jurisdictions. The team's work is designed to strengthen public and private agency capacity by leveraging critical opportunities like the Family First Prevention Services Act to re-conceptualize existing practice, operationalize and evaluate outcomes, harness research to support clinical skills and competencies, as well as restructure processes to be attuned to the full integration of safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes. The Policy Analyst's work will focus particularly on implementation of Motivational Interviewing.

This Policy Analyst's main contributions are anticipated to include supporting Chapin Hall's body of work around child welfare system transformation with an emphasis on the development and implementation of Motivational Interviewing across our Family First portfolio. The Policy Analyst will assume responsibility for the completion of discrete tasks and deliverables from start to finish, in partnership with internal and external stakeholders, engaging the expertise of senior staff as needed.

Chapin Hall embraces a Work from Anywhere approach, offering flexible remote work from anywhere in the United States. Our fully remote model is grounded in trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to high-quality work and collaboration, regardless of location. To get a glimpse of what this looks like in practice, we invite you to watch a short video featuring Chapin Hall staff working from home and across the country: Watch here

While our work is remote, we intentionally create opportunities for connection and belonging. We offer in-person opportunities for staff to build (1) relationships and connection, (2) team cohesion and creativity, and (3) a strong sense of belonging to the organization. Staff are expected to participate in occasional work-related travel, including attendance at in-person All Hall Convenings, which emphasize shared learning, collaboration, and community. Reasonable accommodations are made for those who require modifications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Motivational Interviewing

• Plays a lead role in all aspects of Chapin Hall's support to jurisdictions implementing Motivational Interviewing.
• Contributes to development of training and workforce development resources to support implementation of Motivational Interviewing in the child welfare context.
• Provide guidance to jurisdictional leaders in selecting and implementing a federal claiming strategy for Motivational Interviewing.

Project Management

• Manages the implementation of components of policy projects, including coordinating project activities and communicating with project team members and external stakeholders.
• Leads the development and timely submission of project deliverables, including reports, issue briefs, materials, and other communications related to team efforts.

Data, Evidence, & Analysis

• Synthesizes research findings and implementation best practices to inform the development of plans for effective, tailored implementation
• Assists in the translation of data and research findings into practical decisions, continuous quality improvement, and, ultimately, policy change
• Conducts policy, practice, fiscal and evidence reviews to develop innovative approaches to system transformation efforts.

Capacity Building & Strategy

• Conceptualizes and supports application of practical strategies for implementing and sustaining policy and practice improvements.
• Plays a lead role in developing and implementing strategies for the effective implementation of continuous quality improvement processes, systems change initiatives, and evidence-based practices.
• Provides organizational development coaching and at-the-elbow support to mid-level child welfare and other human services leaders

Stakeholder Engagement

• Identifies opportunities and initiates ideas for communications to external stakeholders.
• Actively participates and leads meetings with external stakeholders.
• Establishes relationships with appropriate individuals at external organizations

General

• Manages competing priorities and requests from multiple team members and client partners and prioritizes appropriately.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in sociology, social work, public policy, psychology or another relevant field required. Master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience relevant to the implementation of child welfare processes, practices, training, and policymaking that improves outcomes for children, youth, and families with a degree.
• In lieu of a degree and/or relevant experience, Lived Experience is strongly preferred. People with Lived Experience are those directly affected by social, health, public health, or other systems. This gives them insights that can inform and influence research, policies, practices, barriers, and programs.
• Proficiency and/or direct experience practicing Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a clinical practice or evidence-based intervention, including knowledge of core MI principles, spirit, and application in human services or child welfare settings.
• Subject matter familiarity in continuous quality improvement processes and/or infrastructure building within human services, including integration across the human services continuum as well as child welfare specifically.
• Experience successfully implementing empirically-supported practices, programs and policies that promote safety, permanency, and well-being for children in foster care or at risk of entering foster care.
• Ability to understand and translate research findings, in collaboration with colleagues, and translate them by embedding implications into action steps.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated capacity for working in a collaborative policy environment.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritize work on multiple projects.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to operate a computer extensively for four (4) or more hours per day.
• Must be able to travel locally and out of state occasionally.

Pre-employment background checks are required for all Chapin Hall positions. Chapin Hall approaches background checks with respect and fairness, ensuring that every applicant is given equitable review and opportunity. Chapin Hall's background check process complies with Section 2-103.1 of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Accordingly, a conviction will only be considered disqualifying if it has a substantial relationship to the job, or if hiring the individual would pose an unreasonable risk to workplace safety. If you have any questions, please reach out to HumanResources@chapinhall.org.

Formal expressions of interest are accepted online only. A cover letter, resume, writing sample, and reference contact information are required to be considered for this position. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations to complete the application process should contact Human Resources by sending an email to recruiting@chapinhall.org.

Chapin Hall is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that values and actively seeks diversity in its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, status as an individual with disability, ancestry, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Per U.S. Department of Labor regulations, Chapin Hall offers visa sponsorship in limited instances for hard-to-fill specialty occupation roles. If you have questions about visa sponsorship at Chapin Hall, please reach out to humanresources@chapinhall.org

Regarding the salary range

Chapin Hall adheres to a competitive market-aligned salary structure for all its administrative, policy, and research roles. Starting salaries within posted ranges are determined by the Chapin Hall Human Resources Department using a consistent, rigorous, and equitable review process.

Benefits

Chapin Hall provides a strong benefits program that addresses the diverse needs of our staff. The Chapin Hall Benefits Program offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options that allow you to design your own plan, to balance individual needs with affordability and support long-term financial stability for staff and their family. Our benefits include comprehensive health plans, paid time off, sick time, parental leave and retirement options. For more information on our benefits visit our Chapin Hall Website.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Chapin Hall is an independent policy research center that provides public and private decision-makers with rigorous research and achievable solutions to improve the lives of children, families, and communities. Chapin Hall partners with policymakers, practitioners, and philanthropists at the forefront of research and policy development by applying research, real-world experience, and policy expertise to deliver actionable information, practical tools, and positive change for children, youth, and families. Chapin Hall's partnership mindset is demonstrated in a collaborative and innovative work environment committed to diversity and inclusion in our culture, projects, and workforce. Established in 1985, Chapin Hall's main impact areas include child welfare systems, community capacity building, and youth homelessness. For more information about Chapin Hall, visit www.chapinhall.org or @Chapin_Hall. Take a moment to view a video clip of staff on why they enjoy working at Chapin Hall.

In our efforts to create a vibrant workplace and because diversity is integral to designing and conducting research, collecting and analyzing data, and drafting policy solutions, Chapin Hall seeks to recruit, foster, and retain staff who are diverse in terms of their ability, age, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion, and sexual orientation. As part of Chapin Hall's commitment to operationalizing and implementing our Racial Equity Principles, we especially encourage Black, Latino/a, and American Indian applicants who reflect the experiences and perspectives of families and young people who are over-represented in the public child- and family-serving systems and programs centered in Chapin Hall's work.

Chapin Hall's unwavering partnership mindset is also demonstrated in its commitment to employees by fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment that is committed to reflecting diversity and inclusion in its culture, projects, and workforce. We embrace diverse backgrounds, diverse perspectives, and diverse experiences in everything we do, in every partnership, and in our workplace. Our inclusive approach to people, partnerships, and communities makes us a better and stronger organization by bringing in innovative, highly motivated, multidisciplinary staff committed to fostering a truly collaborative work environment. We are committed to a respectful and inclusive work environment, work life flexibility, and partnerships that support diversity amongst our staff and within the communities we support.