Policy Analyst

Position Details

• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Reports to: Research Director
• Date Created: April 2026
• Salary range: $60,000-$67,000

Open Sky Policy Institute seeks a policy analyst to conduct research and analysis relevant to the organization's public policy agenda within our education finance and local government finance portfolios. Our mission is to use research, strategic communications and coalition-building to advance evidence-based policies that improve economic opportunity for all Nebraskans. The policy analyst will advance our mission and align with our organizational values of equity, integrity, courage and being people-centered, reporting to the Research Director.

Included in the education finance portfolio is the organization's research and analysis of Nebraska's K-12 education funding formula (existing knowledge not required); including proposed changes to the formula and impacts to state finances, local school district budgets, linkages to student outcomes as well as supporting Open Sky's efforts to ensure public dollars remain with public schools. This position will also help support Open Sky's coalition work in the education finance space by providing technical policy analysis on relevant issues.

Within the local government finance portfolio is the organization's research and analysis of property taxes including local government assessment of property and levying of taxes; analysis of proposed policies and the impacts of such policies on assessed value, taxes levied and local government services; and research and analysis of state fiscal impacts.

• Research and analyze state education finance and local government finance issues, including state and local funding mechanisms.
• Translate research into easy-to-follow figures, tables, research briefs, and research primers.
• Collect and update data on state, local, and federal revenues and on education finance as well as local government finance.
• Assist in drafting research reports, white papers, background memos, and legislative testimony.
• In consultation with the Director of Outreach & Engagement, cultivate relationships with policymakers, partners and other stakeholders.
• Identify new research and analysis opportunities for Open Sky.
• In consultation with the Director of Communications, serve as a spokesperson for Open Sky for media, stakeholders and the community at large on issues in portfolio.
• Continuously monitor the policy environment, lead legislative tracking for the education finance and local government finance portfolio while engaging directly with the legislature.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to communicate complex topics to non-technical audiences.
• Significant expertise manipulating complex, formula-driven spreadsheets.
• Experience with statistical software is not required, but preferred.
• Ability to take initiative, problem-solve, and think strategically.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivation, ability to work independently and prioritize tasks, while also collaborating with team members where appropriate.
• Excellent interpersonal and cultural competency skills.
• A strong interest and appreciation for the power of infusing evidence into policy decisions.

• 2-4 years of experience in policy analysis or research, including a familiarity with state, federal and/or local policy issues and data sources; a master's degree in a relevant field is considered toward experience.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis, with the ability to curate, clean and manipulate large datasets and assess the impacts of policies while communicating findings to audiences of varying technical abilities.
• A bachelor's or master's degree in economics, political science, public administration, or a related field is relevant but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to work self-sufficiently and on a team; including interacting with varying stakeholders, ability to manage tasks under direction of Research Director, support other policy analysts in the organization and advise organization on direction of education finance and property tax work.

This is a hybrid position with work from home opportunities and a required number of days worked in the office. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to indoor conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Occasional travel will be required.

Open Sky Policy Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.