Legislative Consultant

Organization: NJSACC:
New Jersey’s After school and Out-of-School Time Professional Network

Position Type: Part-Time Independent Contractor/Consultant

Contract Period: August 2026 – July 2027

Compensation: Up to $10,000 for the contract period

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

NJSACC:
New Jersey’s After school and Out-of-School Time Professional Network is dedicated to fostering the growth, quality, and sustainability of out-of-school (OST) time providers, professionals, and organizations to expand access and opportunity for New Jersey’s youth and families. NJSACC works with providers, policymakers, youth, families, state agencies, and community partners to advance policies and investments that ensure New Jersey children and youth have access to high-quality after school, OST, and summer learning opportunities.

NJSACC is seeking an experienced Legislative Policy Consultant to support implementation of a statewide advocacy and policy campaign focused on expanding access to high-quality after school, OST, and summer learning programs in New Jersey.

Working closely with the CEO, the consultant will help refine and implement NJSACC’s statewide advocacy strategy; advise on legislative and policy priorities; identify opportunities and legislative champions; coordinate legislative engagement; strengthen relationships with policymakers and state agencies; support coalition-building; elevate youth voice and leadership; and help advance NJSACC’s policy priorities. The consultant will help move NJSACC’s advocacy efforts toward concrete policy outcomes, including sustainable public investment in after school and OST.

The consultant will support NJSACC’s efforts to advance current and emerging policy priorities, including:

• Passage of legislation establishing the New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission
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• A dedicated state funding stream for school-age child care, after school, and OST programs.
• Integration of school-age care into New Jersey’s Quality Rating and Improvement System.
• Increased Child Care and Development Block Grant reimbursement rates for school-age programs.

• Monitor New Jersey legislative activity, committee hearings, state budget developments, and policy opportunities relevant to OST, education, child care, and workforce development.
• Identify and cultivate legislative champions and bipartisan support for NJSACC’s policy priorities.
• Coordinate meetings with legislators, legislative staff, state agencies, and other policymakers.
• Conduct policy research and analysis and assist with the development of policy recommendations, policy briefs, testimony, talking points, advocacy alerts, legislative hearing materials, and other policy resources. Work with NJSACC leadership to translate relevant research, data, and findings - including NJSACC’s OST cost-modeling work - into clear policy recommendations, investment strategies, and messages for policymakers and stakeholders.
• Advise NJSACC leadership on New Jersey legislative and budget strategy, including legislative pathways, committee activity, bill movement, hearings, amendments or bill language, legislative and agency engagement, budget opportunities, and appropriate timing for advocacy activities.

• Support implementation of NJSACC’s statewide advocacy strategy in alignment with the legislative calendar and state budget process.
• Coordinate or support legislative outreach, advocacy days, policymaker briefings, and strategic program site visits, including identifying appropriate OST programs within legislative districts and helping connect elected officials and policymakers with local programs in ways that…