Policy Assistant for the Center for Civics, Education and Opportunity - Washington, DC

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is the nonprofit organization created by President Reagan himself and specifically charged by him with continuing his legacy and sharing his principles - individual liberty, economic opportunity, global democracy, and national pride. The Foundation is a non-partisan organization which sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA, the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, the Presidential Learning Center, The Air Force One Pavilion and the award-winning Discovery Center, as well as the Reagan Institute, which carries out the Foundation’s work in Washington, DC.

The Reagan Library houses over 60 million pages of Gubernatorial, Presidential, and personal papers, over 1.6 million photographs, a half million feet of motion picture film, 25,000 audio recordings, 22,000 video recordings, and over 83,000 objects chronicling the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan.  It also serves as the final resting place of America’s 40th President and his First Lady. www.reaganfoundation.org   

Job Overview

The Ronald Reagan Institute in Washington, DC, seeks a full-time Policy Assistant for the Center for Civics, Education and Opportunity (CCEO) to perform a wide variety of functions in support of the national education programming at the intersection of policy and civics.  These activities include support program design and development, research and planning, development/fundraising support, marketing, and general office duties.  We are looking for a take-charge individual with the organizational and communication skills necessary to help establish a Washington, DC center that builds on the success of the education and civics work started at the Reagan Foundation in California. The ideal candidate for this position is a strong communicator, excellent writer, organized, detail-oriented, takes initiative, and has experience providing administrative and office support to a growing team of professionals.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy Assistant will be expected to perform the following specific duties and responsibilities related to this position and any duties hereafter assigned:

Education Policy and Program Development

• Assist the Director of the Center with extensive research for the Center for Civics, Education, and Opportunity (CCEO) including The Reagan Institute Summit on Education (RISE), RISE collaboratives that delve deeper into policy issues, and other education and civic learning initiatives and national programming.
• Research includes list building, relationship tracking, drafting memos, preparing internal and external presentations, and written remarks.
• Coordinate events and programs out of the CCEO including running logistics of meetings, reservations, venue or hotel selection, and audio-visual needs, etc.
• Provide research and analytical support to the Director of the CCEO
• Work and collaborate with Development staff in Washington, D.C. as well as in California to manage donors’ needs, including event invitations, proposals, and reports.
• Manage spreadsheets, create mail-merge projects, and produce quantitative and qualitative reports.
• Manage relationships with important education policy institutes and individuals and coordinate with the Chief of Staff for events.
• Support DC Institute events, sometimes in the evenings, on weekends and holidays.

Calendar & Correspondence

• Manage, schedule, and prioritize appointments for the Center for Civics Education and Opportunity.
• Assist with digital and written correspondence, as directed.
• Prepare briefs for meetings, as directed.

General Office

• Phones: Professional phone correspondence ranging from request for information, RSVPs, inquiries, event correspondence and more.
• Administrative: Manage administrative systems and including scanning, photocopying, filing, mailings, organizing, etc.
• Expense reports, note taking, spreadsheets, mailings, and correspondence.
  

Digital Office

• Basic computer support and proficiency to troubleshoot and problem solve autonomously.
• Fluency with social media to manage and populate social platforms that support RISE and the work out of the Center.
• Organize digital files from cloud platforms to Shared Drive.
• Salesforce: With training, have basic literacy of RRPFI customer relationship management (CRM) system to effectively track correspondence and engagement.
• Basic literacy of digital equipment including use of digital camera for photography and video purposes, setup of A/V and production equipment setup (projectors, HDMI to TV, film video).

Qualifications/Characteristics

• A passion for education and civics is critical; inspired by President Reagan’s call for “an informed patriotism” in his Farewell Address.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy for all staff
• Collaborative and works well within and across teams
• Strong work and time management skills, including flexibility and adaptability
• Fluency and agility with cloud-based platforms and environments (i.e. Google Drive, Canva, Slack etc.)
• Ability to organize, operate, and connect digital files
• Keen attention to detail and ability to function at a high level in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to think strategically and adapt well to change
• Knowledge of operation of standard office equipment
• Knowledge of clerical/administrative procedures and systems, as well as filing and record keeping
• Organizational skills with keen attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Initiative, integrity, and stress tolerance are a must
• Computer proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs
• Excellent communication, writing, organizational, and administrative skills
• Efficient, effective, and energetic with autonomy and limited direction or daily management from supervisor and/or teammates
• Ease with computer and mobile applications
• Ability to maintain a professional image and represent the organization well on the phone, through email contacts and at all events/programs
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite and Apple computers and software a plus
• Ability to work evenings, holiday, and weekend hours as needed

Reporting Relationships

This position will report to the Director of the Center for Civics, Education, and Opportunity in Washington, DC and will work closely with the RRI team (particularly the Director of Programs and Operations) and Education team in California.

Employee Benefits

This is an exempt full-time position, offering a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including paid vacation, a health/dental plan, and retirement benefits.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The position will be located at our office in Washington, D.C. but may, from time to time, be required to participate in meetings and/or events at the Foundation office in Simi Valley, California.  The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 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.

How to Apply

Please provide a resume and a thoughtful cover letter (including salary history and requirements) to RRInstituteJobs@reaganfoundation.org with the position title in the subject line. Please no telephone calls.

 
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer