Policy Analyst job description.
A policy analyst researches, evaluates, and develops recommendations on public or organizational policy issues. They analyze data, legislation, and stakeholder positions to inform decision-making, and produce reports and briefings that translate complex issues into actionable guidance for leadership or government bodies.
The Policy Analyst job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Policy Analyst Reports to: Director of Policy or Program Director
A policy analyst researches, evaluates, and develops recommendations on public or organizational policy issues. They analyze data, legislation, and stakeholder positions to inform decision-making, and produce reports and briefings that translate complex issues into actionable guidance for leadership or government bodies.
- Research and analyze policy issues relevant to the organization or agency
- Track proposed and existing legislation, regulations, and guidelines
- Collect and interpret quantitative and qualitative data to support analysis
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Director of Policy or Program Director
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Research and analyze policy issues relevant to the organization or agency
- Track proposed and existing legislation, regulations, and guidelines
- Collect and interpret quantitative and qualitative data to support analysis
- Draft policy briefs, reports, and recommendations for decision-makers
- Evaluate the potential impact of proposed policy changes
- Consult with subject matter experts and stakeholders
- Present findings to leadership, committees, or external partners
- Monitor implementation and outcomes of adopted policies
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, economics, or related field
- Strong research, analytical, and quantitative skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Familiarity with the legislative or regulatory process
- Master's degree in public policy or related discipline
- Experience in government, nonprofit, or think tank settings
- Proficiency with statistical analysis software
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Policy Analyst job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Policy Analyst job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Director of Policy or Program Director) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What background is typical for a policy analyst?
- Most policy analysts hold a degree in public policy, political science, economics, or a related field, often paired with research or government experience.
- Do policy analysts work only in government?
- No, policy analysts also work for nonprofits, think tanks, trade associations, and private-sector organizations that need to track regulatory or legislative impact.
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An economist studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, analyzing data to forecast trends and inform decision-making.
This Policy Analyst job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.