• Makes independent configuration decisions within assigned modules; escalates changes with cross-functional system impact or material payroll/compliance risk to the HRIS Manager • Owns end-to-end administration of Workday Advanced Compensation, including merit cycles, bonus processing, and compensation plan setup; leads annual cycle readiness planning, stakeholder preparation, eligibility validation, and post-cycle auditing • Leads Workday Payroll configuration, including pay components, earnings codes, deductions, and payroll calculation rules; provides configuration-layer support for regular payroll cycles and resolves break/fix issues • Manages Workday Benefits configuration, including open enrollment, plan setup, eligibility rules, and vendor integration • Owns configuration of Workday Absence (leave plans, time-off types, accrual rules, country-specific compliance) and Talent (performance reviews, skills, talent optimization) modules, expanding scope as the team’s portfolio evolves • Manages daily support queue via ServiceNow, functioning as Tier II specialist across assigned modules; triages, investigates, and resolves break/fix issues with appropriate urgency and clear communication to end users • Identifies patterns in support ticket volume and translates recurring issues into enhancement proposals or documentation improvements • Maintains project work in Jira; owns assigned backlog, communicates status proactively, and surfaces blockers early • Analyzes existing business processes and recommends re-configuration, automation, or workflow improvements; executes configuration builds, unit testing, and regression testing for enhancements and Workday biannual releases • Documents configuration decisions, business requirements, and process changes in alignment with audit and change management standards • Builds trusted advisory relationships across HR COEs and business stakeholders; proactively engages partners, translates technical constraints into plain language and surfaces tradeoffs clearly for non-technical partners • Serves as a consultative partner to Total Rewards, Payroll Operations, and HR Business Partners — framing options, surfacing tradeoffs, and influencing design decisions rather than solely executing configuration requests • Creates user-facing guides, knowledge base articles, and training materials to support Tier 0 self-service • Participates in biannual Workday release cycles, including feature review, regression planning, and cross-functional communication; researches new functionality and assesses impact on current configurations • Contributes to HRIS team capacity planning and workload prioritization by proactively flagging bandwidth constraints, sequencing dependencies, and recommending trade-offs to leadership • Maintains data integrity through regular audits, queries, and quality checks; upholds data governance, security role assignments, and privacy standards with particular attention to payroll calculation accuracy, wage & hour compliance, and audit controls across all assigned functional areas • Serves as a technical resource and informal mentor to HRIS team members on module configuration best practices, supporting peer development and knowledge continuity.

• Cloud Management and Optimization: Work on resolving issues related to cloud environments, with a focus on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). • Plan and execute migration strategies, ensuring low downtime and high availability. • Define execution plans, activities, and continuous improvements in cloud environments. • Identify new opportunities to optimize infrastructure and services. • FinOps and Operational Efficiency: Apply FinOps best practices to optimize costs and ensure efficient use of cloud providers. • Develop cost allocation strategies across shared resources. • Implement reservations and committed use contracts to reduce expenses and increase financial predictability. • Monitoring and Automation: Create cost-visualization dashboards for multiple cloud providers (using Focus or similar tools). • Develop Python scripts to identify optimization opportunities and automate processes. • Architecture and Data: Contribute to the architecture and optimization of workloads in cloud environments. • Work with databases, processing, queries, jobs, and storage to ensure performance and scalability.

Role Description The Policy Analyst supports the development and advancement of state and federal policy initiatives focused on student basic needs, college access, and workforce outcomes. This role manages technical assistance projects, contributes to research and policy analysis, and supports advocacy efforts through strategic partnerships, written products, and stakeholder engagement. The Policy Analyst serves as a thought partner to leadership, coordinates cross‑functional work, and produces high‑quality communications and policy materials that advance organizational priorities. Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Serve as a strategic thought partner to Trellis Strategies leadership in the development of non-tuition support strategies. - Support state technical assistance projects that include managing timelines, deliverables, work products, external events, and meetings. - Prepare, proofread, and edit documents/materials, including but not limited to internal communications, meeting agenda, presentations, notes, and reports. - Draft correspondence and other materials as requested and serve as the primary point of contact for State TA partners, as directed. - Support the development of new technical assistance projects including contributing new ideas and writing and editing proposals and grants. - Demonstrate an ability to proactively anticipate needs and challenges and develop strategies to address them. - Develop, edit, and collaborate across various communication mediums such as memos, newsletters, and presentation decks for internal and external audiences. - Develop and contribute to research, analysis, and writing of reports, issue briefs, blog posts, fact sheets, and letters that advance policy priorities. - Schedule, organize, and develop plans for meetings with policymakers and staff, including gathering pertinent materials and providing appropriate follow-up materials and clarifications for subjects discussed in the meeting. - Support the development of federal and state level research agenda aligning with team priorities. - Analyze, summarize, and make recommendations on draft policy proposals, including on legislative, regulatory, and administrative issues. - Monitor and analyze regulatory, budgetary, and legislative developments in the student basic needs space. - Contribute research, analysis, and writing to reports, issue briefs, blog posts, fact sheets, and letters. - Provide support for data and research needs to support the student basic needs priorities. - Collaborate with partners at both the state and national levels through coalitions. Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Assist with special projects as assigned. - Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned. - Must be available to work flexible hours. - Support other functions and responsibilities of the department. - Interact with all levels of management, as necessary. - Contribute to the development of strategic initiatives. - Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when serving as a primary point of contact for external partners. - Work independently while also contributing effectively in a team‑based environment. Competencies - Action Oriented - Builds Effective Teams - Business Insight - Champion Change - Collaborates - Communicates Effectively - Compliance - Consulting - Cultivating Innovation - Customer Focus - Decision Quality - Demonstrates Self-Awareness - Develops Talent - Directs Work - Diversity Focused - Drives Results - Interpersonal Savvy - Organizational Savvy - Plans and Aligns - Relationship Management - Resourcefulness - Self-Development - Situational Adaptability - Strategic Mindset - Tech Savvy Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Knowledge of federal and state public policy processes, including legislative, regulatory, and administrative frameworks, including advocacy, coalition‑based work, and stakeholder engagement in policy environments. - Knowledge of higher education policy, workforce development systems, and/or public benefit programs, with emphasis on student basic needs and non‑tuition supports. - Knowledge of technical assistance models and strategies used to support state and local partners. - Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage timelines, deliverables, meetings, and multiple workstreams simultaneously. - Advanced writing and editing skills, with experience producing high‑quality policy briefs, reports, memos, presentations, and external communications. - Research and analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize complex policy information and develop clear, actionable recommendations. - Strong communication skills to effectively engage internal leadership, external partners, policymakers, and coalition members and translate complex research and policy concepts into accessible materials for diverse audiences. - Organizational and planning skills, including meeting coordination, agenda development, and follow‑up documentation. - Collaborative skills to work across teams and with state and national partners in coalition settings. - Ability to serve as a strategic thought partner by contributing ideas, anticipating challenges, and supporting solution development. - Demonstrated ability to analyze and monitor legislative, regulatory, and budgetary developments and assess their policy implications. Qualifications - Education - Required: Bachelor’s degree in education, public policy, or other related field. - Preferred: Master’s degree in education, public policy, or other related field. - Experience - Required: Three (3) years’ progressively responsible experience in policy with preference for state human service, workforce development, or higher education agency, or - Three (3) years’ experience with federal and state policy processes, including legislative, regulatory, and administrative frameworks. - Preferred: Experience working on federal or state safety net policy such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program or childcare subsidies. Physical and Mental Demands - Must move about inside the office and infrequently utilize modes of transportation for travel. - Repetitive motion. Regularly a computer, keyboard, phone, and general office equipment. - Regularly uses hands/fingers to handle, feel, or grasp; reaches or extends arm(s) in any direction. - Hearing and speaking. Regularly talks with other employees and on the phone, virtually, or in person. Regularly uses hearing to listen and respond to internal and external contacts. - Visual acuity. Regularly must have close visual acuity to view and enter information into computer and software systems, view monitor, analyze data, develop presentations and reports, and other materials. - Mental focus. Requires worker to maintain focus and exchange detailed and accurate information through oral and written communication. Work Environment - Typically works forty hours per week but may require after-hours work, remote work, weekend work, or other demands to meet deadlines. - Work may be conducted remotely or in an office with a surrounding small cubicle environment. - Minor travel may be required. Compensation and Benefits - Base Salary: $58,218.00 - $77,625.00 per year (commensurate with experience) - Corporate Annual Incentive: This position is eligible for a corporate annual incentive, subject to the discretion and approval of the Board of Directors and not guaranteed. - Paid Holidays: 11 holidays + 1 floating holiday per year - Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.

• Administer and support employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k), FSA/HSA, wellness, and leave programs. • Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit questions and provide timely resolution for complex benefits-related issues. • Support employees regarding eligibility, enrollments, claims issues, leave questions, retirement plan inquiries, benefits changes, and escalations. • Partner with HR leadership and external vendors to manage open enrollment, employee communications, plan renewals, and ongoing program administration. • Create clear and engaging benefits communications and educational materials to support employee understanding and engagement. • Monitor and ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and other applicable federal and state regulations. • Conduct audits and reconcile benefits billing, enrollment data, and carrier invoices to ensure accuracy across HRIS, payroll, and vendor systems. • Manage and process all benefits-related invoices including carrier billing reconciliation, invoice audits, payment coordination, enrollment verification, and discrepancy resolution. • Analyze benefits utilization, financial trends, and market data to support strategic recommendations and continuous program improvement. • Evaluate current benefits offerings and recommend enhancements based on employee feedback, market trends, competitive benchmarking, and cost analysis. • Create reports, dashboards, and presentations to support leadership decision-making and benefits strategy discussions. • Support HRIS and payroll integrations related to benefits administration and identify opportunities for process improvement and automation.