Senior Technical Assistance Lead

Insight Policy Research (Insight) is seeking a Senior Technical Assistance Lead to provide policy support and technical assistance for State and Federally administered safety net programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and other nutrition assistance and human services programs. Experience working on SNAP policy, particularly for Federal and/or State agencies, is preferred for this position.

Insight is a small, well-established policy research and consulting firm working to help improve government programs for underserved populations. For 20 years, Insight has provided high-quality consulting to federal, state, and nonprofit clients. Our key practice areas include food and nutrition, family support, health, education, and workforce development. In 2019, Insight was named Woman-Owned Small Business Contractor of the Year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department that oversees all Federal nutrition programs, including SNAP, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the School Lunch Program.

Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, we offer outstanding potential for growth, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits in a collegial, family-friendly environment. Through our organization and our work, we strive to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. For further information about our projects and information about our work and corporate culture, please visit our website at www.insightpolicyresearch.com.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis of policy, regulations, and operations of nutrition assistance and other safety net programs (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, etc.). Apply a thorough understanding of federal policy, state operations, and the needs of program clients to help inform policy and improve service delivery.
• Review state and local program operations for compliance with federal policy requirements.
• Help policymakers and program implementers analyze program data, conduct rapid cycle tests, and use plain language and human centered design to improve service delivery.
• Lead client meetings, facilitate stakeholder discussions, and conduct interviews that build trust and engage diverse perspectives to inform policy and program recommendations.
• Manage project schedules, including multiple overlapping deadlines and work with a team to ensure project activities are completed in an accurate and timely manner.
• Help develop policy guidance, handbooks, trainings, and toolkits to help improve policy implementation.
• Support the design and development of new project proposals.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience with federally- and state-administered social safety net program policy and operations, including SNAP. Experience with TANF, Medicaid, and other nutrition and safety net programs preferred.
• Experience working with the Federal, State, and local government agencies that administer safety net programs. Experience working on policy for a State human service agency responsible for administering SNAP is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience with SNAP policy, systems, and/or quality control processes. Experience engaging with FNS and other States through national associations and workgroups advantageous.

• Experience researching and analyzing policy, including statutes, regulations, and relevant program data and economic data.
• Experience developing tools to improve policy compliance and/or program delivery.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex policies to both expert and lay audiences.
• Strong project management skills. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet competing deadlines. Experience managing teams.
• Minimum Master’s degree with 7 years relevant experience; or bachelor’s degree with 9 years relevant experience.

EEO

At Insight, we value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, people of color, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, LGBTQ  people, and veterans to apply. Insight is a committed equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race; color; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; religion; national origin; marital status; pregnancy or parental status; military or veteran status; medical condition; disability; or any federal, state, or local protected class. We do not tolerate discrimination based on any of these characteristics