Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network (HCAN) is hiring a Public Policy Lead with a focus on Education and Early Childhood. This person serves as a core member of our public policy and legislative team and is an experienced community leader grounded in anti-oppression principles and committed to systemic change alongside parents and families in Hawaiʻi.
Public Policy Leads co-create advocacy agendas directly with families (e.g., ʻOhana Leadership Council) and community partners (e.g., Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Hawaiʻi Children's Policy Agenda), share decision-making power, and build collective grassroots momentum. Public Policy Leads collaboratively manage a portfolio of policy work, including, but not limited to, overseeing assigned parts of HCAN's public policy agenda development process, forming and leading coalitions, conducting training, and executing campaigns that advance HCAN's priorities. This is an exempt, full-time position that reports to HCAN's Executive Director or assignee.
The Public Policy Lead:
- Works with the Executive Director or their assignee to research, develop, and execute policy plans, campaigns, and initiatives.
- Under the guidance of the Executive Director, coordinates, monitors, and documents day-to-day operational progress for an assigned portfolio.
- Represents HCAN at meetings, community events, and on state and community workgroups, task forces, and commissions, on an as-needed basis.
- Supports the Research and Evaluation unit to transform HCAN into a teaching/learning organization.
- Ensures that placed students (interns, fellows, practicum students) are integrated into policy and programmatic efforts.
- Keeps the executive director and other relevant HCAN staff informed of policy activities and outcomes.
- Leads complex policy research and analysis to interpret statutes, regulations, budget structures, and data, producing actionable insights that guide organizational strategy.
- Facilitates participatory meetings, workshops, and training to gather diverse insights.
- Creates and/or coordinates the development of reports, guides, scorecards, issue briefs, testimony, and special reports.
- Researches proposed legislation, ordinances, agency rules, and regulations.
- Responds to requests for information on a broad range of issues related to child and family well-being, education, and early learning.
- Builds, coordinates, and manages a portfolio of coalitions on children’s issues. Plans and facilitates participatory coalition meetings, as needed.
- Works closely with the Family Engagement Team to build and support a continuum of family and community participation in coalitions.
- Engages with state policy partners. Serves as an information hub by monitoring and keeping HCAN leadership informed and up-to-date on national-level work and opportunities in their portfolio area. Supports other policy staff in this area at the state level.
- Delivers updates and conducts training on policy priorities/implications and legislative processes for staff and stakeholders, on an as-needed basis.
- Works closely with the Executive Director and Operations and Development Director/team to prospect and develop new funding sources, complete reporting and compliance requirements, support donor/member relations, and maintain effective relationships.
- Other functions as assigned.
Public Policy Leads play a critical role in supporting HCAN's mission by bringing strong relationship development skills, management expertise, a passion for developing and supporting teams, and the ability to lead strategic planning, program oversight, and fiscal management.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented, dynamic environment and is a self-starter with exceptional attention to detail and organizational discipline. A doer, effective communicator, and relationship builder, the Public Policy Lead demonstrates a deep commitment to equity and works well both independently and collaboratively.
View and download the full job description here.
About HCAN: HCAN is an independent, nonpartisan children’s policy and advocacy non-profit organization with both a 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 structure. Our C3 mission is to build a united voice educating and advocating for Hawai‘i’s children and our C4 mission is to ensure Hawaiʻi’s keiki have a bright future by building a powerful movement of families. Together, our vision is to have well-funded, family-focused public policies and programs that prioritize keiki and gives families the resources to learn, grow, and thrive in Hawai’i.HCAN engages, educates, and mobilizes families, community leaders, and policy makers to effect change so that all families can thrive. We work to improve the health, education, safety, economic security and development of Hawaiʻi's children. We use a multi-faceted approach that comprises advocacy and policy change, coalition-building, community mobilization, data and research, and strategic partnerships.
Reports to: Executive Director or assignee
Salary range: $70,000 - $90,000. This is an exempt, full-time position.
Applications preferred by: September 30, 2026
Application form
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