"Project Policy Analyst 4 Fresno CA, Job ID 85106"

The Project Policy Analyst 4 serves as a technical leader providing advanced-level policy, program, and project analysis and consultative support with broad impact across the function/program. The role leads highly complex analytical studies on projects, programs, and initiatives, initially focused on evaluation of outcomes and impact of the F3Local (Local Farm and Food Innovation) initiative, and contributes to strategic planning, development, administration, and implementation of new and evolving systems and programs.

The Analyst leads cross-functional evaluation and learning agendas; formulates evaluation and performance strategies; oversees implementation of data systems and processes; and advises leadership on policy and program options. The role regularly develops executive-ready decision materials (e.g., briefs, memos, option analyses) to support timely, evidence-based decisions and improve service delivery and program effectiveness.

The Analyst applies structured problem-solving approaches (including design thinking/problem-based methods, as appropriate) to translate complex, ambiguous issues into actionable designs, implementation roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

Pay Scale: $77,900.00/year to $110,600.00/year

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 4/6/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

• 50% Technical Leadership, Evaluation Strategy, and Complex Project Direction: Leads and directs the evaluation strategy and complex analytic workplan for multi-faceted programs with broad impact, including establishing evaluation criteria, methods, and quality standards. Designs and implements program evaluation frameworks (e.g., theory of change/logic models) and performance measurement strategies, including KPI development and monitoring routines. Develops integrated timelines, resolves barriers, and drives corrective actions to ensure delivery of high-impact outputs. Leads stakeholder strategy and convenings (internal and external), including agenda-setting, facilitation, and decision capture; ensures inclusive processes that support alignment among diverse stakeholders and decision-makers. Provides consultative guidance to leadership and partners on evaluation design, interpretation of findings, and implementation implications; prepares decision memos and recommendation packages for executive audiences. Designs and oversees implementation of program-wide data collection systems and training protocols, across partner organizations; ensures consistency, defensibility, and appropriate data governance. Leads the development, validation, and deployment of survey instruments and mixed-method tools; oversees administration via platforms such as Qualtrics and associated workflows, documentation, and partner training. May provide functional leadership to lower-level analytical, research, and administrative staff or contractors, including assigning work, setting priorities, and reviewing work products for technical quality.
• 15% Advanced Data Analysis, Decision Support, and Resource/Budget Analytics: Leads complex quantitative and qualitative analyses; builds repeatable analytic workflows and decision-support products to evaluate outcomes, effectiveness, and implementation performance. Develops dashboards and monitoring tools that integrate quantitative and qualitative insights to support data-driven leadership and timely course correction. Produces analyses and proposals that identify problems, evaluate costs/benefits and tradeoffs, and recommend implementation pathways.
• 20% Policy/Program Communications, Knowledge Products, and Stakeholder Influence: Leads development of policy and program communications and implementation supports; translates complex findings into actionable recommendations and adoption strategies. Produces executive-ready briefs, memos, guidance documents, and presentations tailored to leadership, funders, community partners, and academic audiences. Develops knowledge products that improve adoption and capability among stakeholders (e.g., toolkits, training resources, explainer-style materials, web-ready content), coordinating production elements as needed. Makes high-level contacts of a sensitive nature internally and externally; uses discretion and diplomacy to negotiate, align stakeholders, and persuade decision-makers to adopt recommended solutions or program/process changes.
• 15% Best Practices, Policy Landscape Analysis, and Strategic Direction: Leads best-practice research and policy landscape analysis; synthesizes evidence into strategic recommendations that guide program direction and inform policy and investment decisions. Collaborates with UC ANR teams, researchers, and community partners to coordinate development, implementation, and monitoring of new or improved programs and processes; ensures alignment with statewide initiatives and strategic priorities. Develops proposals and recommendations to guide broader strategic direction for economic development and farm/food sector initiatives, including policy options, program design alternatives, and implementation roadmaps.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Progressively responsible experience in economic development, food systems, public health, evaluation, public policy, or related fields, including leading complex, cross-functional initiatives with broad programmatic impact.
• Advanced capability in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, including surveys, interviews/focus groups, and development of defensible findings and recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience developing theory of change/logic models and KPI strategies and integrating quantitative and qualitative insights into leadership decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to develop executive-ready decision support materials (briefs/memos/option analyses) and communicate complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Advanced project management skills (tools, templates, stakeholder engagement, and delivery discipline) and ability to lead work with demanding timelines and multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality; strong judgment in ambiguous or sensitive contexts.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience facilitating inclusive stakeholder processes involving senior leaders and/or public-sector decision stakeholders; ability to translate requirements and goals into implementable governance/process models.
• Experience producing adoption-oriented communications/learning assets (e.g., toolkits, training content, explainer-style materials, web-ready guidance).
• Experience with complex resource allocation or budget model analysis and implementation support.
• Experience providing functional guidance to junior staff/contractors and contributing to team capacity-building (as applicable).
• Multilingual capability and/or experience working across cultures and international contexts.