Research and Policy Associate

Job DetailsJob Location: Remote - Palo Alto, CA 94306Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeSalary Range: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 Salary/yearTravel Percentage: Up to 20%Job Shift: DayJob Category: Nonprofit - Social ServicesAbout Benetech  

Benetech believes that equitable access to education is a human right. Our technology and services break down systemic barriers and empower all learners regardless of ability. Around the world, we partner with local communities to expand inclusive and equitable education opportunities. To date, we have delivered more than 20 million accessible books helping over 1.5 million students, jobseekers, and adults to read, learn, and pursue their dreams.

The Opportunity

Millions of students with print disabilities — including blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and other learning differences — still struggle to get the accessible books and materials they need to learn on equal footing with their peers. Benetech is looking for a Research and Policy Associate to help close that gap by turning data, research, and evidence into real change in how states and schools deliver accessible education.

This is a role for someone who's energized by both worlds: digging into evidence and writing the policy brief that makes it land. You'll work directly with state education agencies, federal partners, disability organizations, and researchers — translating what the data shows into resources educators and policymakers can actually use.

Key Responsibilities

State Engagement, Advocacy, and Policy Translation 

Support Benetech's engagement with state education agencies, state special education leaders, accessibility specialists, policymakers, disability organizations, and other state-level partners.
Help state leaders understand the needs of students with print disabilities and the educational consequences when students do not receive accessible materials and support in a timely manner.
Develop state-specific analyses and recommendations addressing gaps in awareness, eligibility processes, implementation, educator preparation, and student participation.
Create briefing materials, presentations, implementation guides, policy summaries, and other practical resources that state leaders can use to strengthen access to accessible educational materials and services.
Support responsible outreach and education intended to increase awareness and appropriate use of Bookshare and related resources among eligible students, families, schools, and educators.
Help state agencies and partner organizations incorporate accessible resources into existing policies, guidance, professional learning, technical assistance, and student support systems.
Participate in meetings, convenings, working groups, presentations, and other engagements with state leaders and external stakeholders.
Build productive, respectful relationships with state partners and help identify opportunities for sustained collaboration.
Document lessons from state engagement and use them to inform Benetech's research, product development, communications, partnership strategy, and broader systems-change agenda.
Monitor relevant state legislative, regulatory, administrative, and implementation developments and advise Benetech leaders on their implications.

Research Strategy, Data Insights, and Evidence Translation 

Work with the Data Insights team and other colleagues to identify and refine research questions, analytical priorities, frameworks, indicators, and appropriate sources of evidence related to accessible education and students with print disabilities.
Help internal teams use data and evidence to answer strategic and operational questions, including questions concerning unmet need, participation, patterns of use, implementation quality, learner experience, and outcomes.
Conduct applied policy research on accessible educational materials, special education, assistive technology, inclusive instructional practices, the least restrictive environment, and related federal and state policies.
Analyze differences in policy, implementation, participation, and student access across states, identifying promising practices as well as persistent gaps and barriers.
Examine the factors affecting whether eligible students are identified, enrolled in available services, and able to use accessible materials effectively.
Interpret organizational data and external evidence, identify their limitations, and help colleagues understand what conclusions they do and do not support while maintaining an appropriate distinction between evidence generation and policy advocacy.
Translate academic research, administrative data, legal and policy requirements, and practitioner experience into clear, practical, and accessible recommendations.
Produce policy briefs, research reports, landscape analyses, case studies, issue papers, presentations, and other materials for policymakers, education leaders, advocates, funders, and practitioners.
Contribute to frameworks, indicators, measures, and tools that Benetech and its partners can use to assess and improve accessible-education policies, implementation practices, access, and outcomes.
Help develop and administer externally funded research, measurement, and evidence-building projects, potentially including an accountability measure for print disability and related tools for states, institutions, or other partners.
Support grant concepts and proposals by translating important field questions into feasible, fundable research and evidence-building initiatives; contribute to associated project plans, deliverables, reporting, and dissemination.

Federal and Broader Policy Contributions

Support research and policy work concerning federal programs serving students with disabilities, particularly initiatives of the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs.
Help demonstrate how accessible educational resources advance federal priorities concerning educational opportunity, inclusive learning environments, student independence, and improved outcomes for students with disabilities.
Contribute to evidence-building efforts that document unmet need, program reach, patterns of use, implementation challenges, and opportunities for greater impact.
Help Benetech communicate credible findings externally and use them internally to improve programs, products, partnerships, and organizational strategy.
As appropriate and consistent with funding requirements, contribute to selected international research or knowledge-sharing efforts related to accessible education, disability policy, and inclusive learning.

QualificationsRequired:

Bachelor's degree in education, public policy, disability studies, or related fields. 
2-3 years of experience conducting education, public policy, disability-related research or similar
Demonstrated interest in educational equity, disability policy, accessible learning, or inclusive education.
Strong research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and persuasive findings and recommendations.
Ability to communicate effectively with policymakers, researchers, educators, advocates, and organizational leaders.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple research and engagement projects at once.
Sound judgment, initiative, and comfort working with significant autonomy in an entrepreneurial environment where the role will evolve as the work develops.

Preferred:

Familiarity with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, accessible educational materials, assistive technology, or related policy frameworks.
Experience working with state education agencies, policymakers, advocacy organizations, researchers, or education practitioners.
Experience translating research into policy recommendations, implementation guidance, presentations, or public-facing materials.
Experience framing applied research questions, working with organizational or administrative data, developing indicators or measures, or managing grant-funded research projects.
Interest in comparative or international approaches to disability rights and inclusive education.
Intellectual curiosity and an interest in understanding how policy is translated into implementation and student experience.

Travel Obligations

Travel for this position may take up to 20% including any company required meetings

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The bullet points below are representative of the physical demands and working environment that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Remote office setting: proximity to office equipment that includes electronic devices.
Must remain at a workstation for at least 50% of the time; will need to use equipment that includes electronic devices.
Perceive and interact with text, media, and people.
Communicate and accurately exchange information with text, media, and people.