Public Policy Associate, Application Deadline: 06.26.2026

National WIC Association (DC, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA AREA (WITHIN 2 HOURS OF THE NWA OFFICE))

The National WIC Association (NWA), the nonprofit education arm and advocacy voice of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), has an immediate opening for a Public Policy Associate.

The Association is a high-impact non-profit member organization that represents more than 2,000 service provider agencies that offer quality nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health care and other social referral services to at-risk women and young children in over 10,000 WIC clinics nationwide.

The Public Policy Associate will support NWA’s public policy team in both federal and state level policy tracking, response, and advocacy. This will include supporting direct advocacy work and grassroots engagement with members and partners. Key tasks and responsibilities may also pivot based on need and changes in the policy environment. A successful candidate will have some experience in advocacy and policy work, basic understanding of federal and state legislative processes, and strong writing and organizational skills. The Public Policy Associate will be joining a small, passionate, and highly collaborative public policy team.

The Public Policy Associate is responsible for: 

• Supporting NWA’s state WIC policy work, including assisting with tracking key legislation, advocating for key priorities at the state level, and assisting with NWA’s state policy coalition work.
• Assisting with the grassroots advocacy engagement efforts for WIC staff, state and local partners, WIC participants, and allies. This includes supporting NWA’s grassroots advocacy engagement tools and platforms, and providing administrative support for NWA’s nationwide coalition of WIC advocates.
• Providing support for NWA’s federal WIC advocacy, which may include scheduling Hill visits, attending coalition meetings, and assisting with drafting policy materials, such as fact sheets.
• Playing a key role in organizing and executing NWA’s National Policy Conference – and other policy educational opportunities and events, both virtually and in-person, as appropriate. This includes participating in organizing “Hill Day” events for NWA members.
• Collaborating with NWA’s Communications Team as needed on policy-related communication to NWA’s members and advocacy communications.
• Assisting with tracking and responding to administrative actions that impact WIC.
• As appropriate, supporting the public policy team’s engagement with WIC participants in advocacy work, including by working with NWA’s Participant Advisory Council. 
• Participating in planning and staffing NWA conferences, including attending planning meetings, organizing sessions, assisting onsite conference support, etc.
• Traveling, as appropriate, to attend meetings or other events to represent NWA and WIC priorities.
• Assisting with tracking and reporting on grant deliverables for the public policy team.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications*

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public policy, public health, nutrition, or related field, or equivalent work experience. 
• Some experience with federal or state policy advocacy. Basic understanding of federal and state legislative processes and federal nutrition programs.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Strong sense of initiative.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Commitment to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into work.
• Quantitative policy analysis skills a plus.

*At NWA, we appreciate that individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences can make meaningful contributions to our team. If you believe you can make a meaningful contribution to this role, we encourage you to apply for this position even if your background does not exactly align with these requirements.

Salary Range:

$56,000-$61,000

Application Deadline: 06.26.2026

NWA full-time staff must be based in the DC metro area, which includes Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We currently have a hybrid work environment with the expectation of 32 hours per month in the physical office at 1099 14th Street, NW Washington, DC. At NWA, we value equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in all that we do, and encourage those from underrepresented groups to apply for this position. 

NWA provides competitive benefits, including hybrid work, tuition reimbursement program, ongoing professional development opportunities in addition to generous health care plans, dental and vision coverage, flex spending account, dependent care flex spending account, basic term life insurance, long term disability insurance, paid time off, free gym access, a company-matched 403b retirement program, employee assistance program, cell phone and internet stipend, and more.

To apply, please click here to submit your resume and cover letter.  No phone solicitation accepted.

More Information: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=f96dad2d-1812-4ee4-9d51-021525a2a4cc&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=618625