Innovation Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Supervisor: Varies

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Arlington VA/Hybrid

Position Timeline: Temporary

APHSA is recruiting new talent! American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) is seeking a collaborative, curious, and forward-thinking Implementation & Innovation Associate to join our Process Innovation Team.

APHSA is an Association representing state and local agencies in the health and human services sector. With and through these members, we work to advance solutions that are centered on administering, overseeing, and aligning programs to provide access to food, health care, housing, employment, childcare, community support, and other key building blocks.

Join a team of dedicated professionals who are results-oriented and are impacting systems across the nation! Our team at APHSA needs a person like you who leans forward and feels comfortable engaging with teammates, thought leaders, and partners. We’re looking for an innovative, solution-oriented action taker who will add to our collaborative team environment.

If you're excited about helping public sector human services agencies improve the way they work, enjoy solving complex challenges, and are passionate about strengthening public services through emerging technologies, innovation, organizational change, and people-centered approaches, we'd love to hear from you.

Your direct supervisor and coach will be the Director of Process Innovation. Your support will be the entire APHSA organization because we work best when we all work together!

Position Summary:

The Implementation & Innovation Associate supports the design, coordination, and implementation of national initiatives that help state and local human services agencies strengthen programs and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. This role coordinates grant-funded projects, provides technical assistance, conducts research, develops practical resources, and collaborates with internal teams and external partners to advance systems modernization, implementation, organizational innovation, and continuous improvement.

As an Implementation & Innovation Associate, you'll work alongside human services leaders from across the country to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that improve service delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for an early- to mid-career professional who is eager to build expertise in technology implementation, innovation, and public sector transformation while contributing to meaningful national initiatives.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• No

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate implementation projects and technical assistance activities across multiple initiatives
• Support the development of project work plans, coordinate meetings, monitor project progress, and maintain project documentation.
• Support the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of implementation strategies.
• Conduct research, environmental scans, policy reviews, and landscape analyses.
• Develop implementation resources including toolkits, playbooks, guidance documents, presentations, reports, dashboards, and other technical assistance materials.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and collaboration activities, including learning collaboratives, Communities of Practice, workshops, planning sessions, and partner meetings.
• Collect, analyze, and summarize qualitative and quantitative data to support program evaluation, continuous improvement, and informed decision-making.
• Support the development of publications, presentations, case studies, and other materials that disseminate promising practices across the human services community.
• Monitor emerging trends and best practices in implementation, organizational change, process improvement, and AI-enabled technologies to improve organizational effectiveness and service delivery in human services.
• Assist with planning and facilitation of national convenings, webinars, and peer learning events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Social Work, Public Health, Sociology, Human Services, Political Science, Business Administration, or a related field required
• 2 to 5 years of experience in Human Services

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Ability to apply knowledge and experience to relevant human services programs, practices, and policies
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20%
• Competencies crucial for success in this role include: project management, cross-collaboration, facilitation, time management, writing, problem solving, adaptability, survey analysis and development, teamwork, change management, and e-learning

At APHSA, we value and support the health, well-being, and future of our staff. Our benefit package is designed to improve employee morale, fostering a work environment where staff feel they can thrive and be accomplished. APHSA offers health, dental, and vision insurance. We also offer additional employee benefits and perks like these:

• 3% contribution to 401k or ROTH Plan
• Hybrid work environment
• Additional discretionary holidays are included with 11 paid holidays
• 20 vacation days
• 15 sick/wellness days
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance
• FSA (health, dependent, commuter)
• Optional employee-paid benefits (legal, pet insurance, critical illness, accident, STD/LTD)

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to work in an independent manner from a remote location

This employer participates in E-Verify for employment verification.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) is a bipartisan national membership association representing state and local health and human services agencies and the subject matter experts that help execute their mission to improve outcomes for people nationwide. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and recognize that building well-being starts with creating a space where our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic, unique selves to work.

Building on our long-standing relationships with health and human services leaders, we focus on generating pragmatic solutions that advance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.