Education Policy Analyst
Libertas Institute is hiring an Education Policy Analyst to lead its education reform work, with an emphasis on higher education: expanding access, cutting cost and time-to-degree barriers, and building the Institute’s presence with Utah’s higher ed system, while sustaining its K-12 footprint and expanding its national reach.
Libertas Institute is an award-winning, Utah-based think tank with an 87% success rate in turning our policy recommendations into law. We operate both as a state-based think tank in Utah—where we innovate policy reforms in a receptive legislative environment—and as a national institute that exports proven policy victories to other states.
This position reports to the Executive Director and is based in Lehi, Utah. A hybrid schedule is available, with at least two in-office days per week.
Libertas’s education policy portfolio has historically focused on empowering the core participants in education—parents, students, and teachers. This role expands that focus to empowering students and institutions at the higher education level, while continuing to support K-12 innovation.
Some of the policies we have worked on in this space include:
- Higher Education Transparency
- Education Savings Accounts
- Microschools
- Relaxing Homeschooling Restrictions
- Occupational Licensure
You will be responsible for:
- Leading Libertas’s higher education reform portfolio, including competency-based education, credit-for-prior-learning, transfer pathways, and reducing time-to-degree and cost barriers for students.
- Building and maintaining relationships with the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)—the Commissioner, deputies, and university officials—as well as relevant national higher education reform networks.
- Maintaining relationships with the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), key legislators, and other stakeholders.
- Continuing to support Libertas’s K-12 education work as a secondary priority, including microschools, education choice (Utah Fits All).
- Continuing to support occupational licensing reform.
- Helping draft model legislation.
- Being a face and voice of education for Libertas, representing the organization at meetings, conferences, and other functions.
- Conducting in-depth research to produce policy briefs, legislative analyses, and scholarly articles.
- Synthesizing external research into op-eds, videos, one-pagers, press releases, and interviews that inform and persuade.
- Supporting outreach efforts to build coalitions and promote Libertas’s education policy initiatives nationwide.
You will bring to the role your:
- Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in policy research (or related work, such as working in higher education administration). Internships count as experience.
- Genuine interest in higher education policy specifically—areas such as accreditation, financial aid, competency-based education, or transfer/articulation policy.
- Exceptional ability to cultivate deep, trust-based relationships with legislators, policymakers, and advocacy partners.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; able to persuasively advocate in diverse political contexts.
- Self-starter who thrives in dynamic, lean environments and creates opportunities where none exist.
- Deep belief in individual liberty and ability to collaborate respectfully across ideological differences.
- Ability to travel occasionally to conferences and policy events, up to 15%.
You will enjoy:
- Matching 403(b) retirement plan
- Healthcare reimbursement
- Generous PTO
- Flexible schedule
- Meal stipend and occasional work parties and outings
- Making a difference with a mission-driven organization that is materially improving people’s lives
What Success Looks Like in this Role:
90 days:
- Review and familiarize yourself with Libertas’s past K-12 and higher education policy work
- Establish relationships with key USHE and university contacts
- Begin publishing content regularly (blog posts, Substack articles, short videos)
6 months:
- Publish a policy brief on a higher education reform (e.g., competency-based education or transfer pathways)
- Develop and support passage of model legislation for the 2027 legislative session
- Maintain Utah’s microschool policy and continue K-12 relationship-building
1 Year:
- Prepare several significant reforms for passage in the 2028 legislative session, including building coalitions and stakeholder support to ensure their passage
- Get a specific reform adopted administratively by USHE
- Be invited to present to the Utah Board of Higher Education, a USHE working group, or a legislative interim committee
- Have Libertas formally included in at least one USHE task force, advisory group, or stakeholder process
- Publish research in an academic or industry publication
- Be cited or quoted by legislators, USHE officials, or national media as a go-to voice on Utah higher ed reform
- Secure a legislative sponsor or coalition partner in at least one other state, with model legislation adapted and delivered
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials to jason@libertas.institute.
– Résumé or equivalent
– Cover letter detailing your qualifications and your sincere interest in this position
– A writing sample related to education policy (maximum 750 words).