We are hiring in DC and California!

Policy & Legislative Intern (Washington, DC)

Are you interested in learning how to be an effective advocate and navigate the politics of Capitol Hill? Voices for Progress seeks a Policy and Legislative Intern to join the DC staff.

Voices for Progress is a young and progressive advocacy organization building a counterweight to the armies of wealthy people and corporations who seek policies serving their own narrow financial self-interest. V4P has enlisted hundreds of philanthropists, investors, and business leaders nationwide to advocate in the public interest. Our members and staff meet with elected officials throughout the year to fight against climate change and poverty, to end big money’s dominance of elections, and to win public investments in economic opportunity.

You will have the exciting opportunity to work closely with the policy team in preparation for the semi-annual Federal Advocacy Summit—a two-day event featuring advocacy meetings with U.S. Senators—and assist with several other federal policy priorities. Assignments will add value to Voices for Progress’ advocacy work and your development as a professional in the policy/advocacy field, including researching and tracking policy and legislation, writing and preparing backgrounders on senators and policy issues, and planning for meetings with Members of Congress.

Our internship will offer you access to a number of professional development opportunities, including participating in coalition meetings, attending networking events, shadowing meetings on the Hill, and attending policy forums and briefings based on our work and your interests. The Policy and Legislative Intern is a temporary position and will report to the Senior Policy and Legislative Associate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Contribute to success of two-day Federal Advocacy Summit by preparing advocacy materials, documents, communications, and webinars; assisting with day-of logistics and attending advocacy meetings with U.S. Senators and their staff.
Participate in and take notes at policy briefings, advocacy meetings with elected officials and other advocacy-related events on Capitol Hill.
Monitor legislative and policy developments and conduct in-depth research on specific policy issues. Prepare issue briefs, factsheets, talking points and policy analyses on assigned issues. Assist with research related to strategic planning and campaign development.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Current junior or senior undergraduate student or graduate student pursuing a degree focused on politics, political science, or federal policy or have a passion for these topics.
Availability to work a minimum of 16 hours per week (20 hours for graduate students) through mid-December.
Well organized and able to track and appropriately prioritize multiple projects.
Strong writing, research, communication and interpersonal skills.
Impeccable attention to detail and strong proof reading skills.
Well-informed and interested in current events, politics and policy issues.
Dynamic and self-directed person eager to support a small but mighty team.
Strong time management skills and ability to compile research and write briefings quickly to meet tight, fast-moving deadlines.
Creative thinker who is always willing to take on new challenges.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

This position will report to the Senior Policy and Legislative Associate.
This position will interact with Voices for Progress members, organizational allies, and congressional staff.

COMPENSATION:

The intern will receive bi-weekly compensation.
The intern will receive a monthly transit stipend.

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter, resume, Monday-Friday availability, and a two to four paragraph writing sample to voicesforprogressjobs@gmail.com by July 26, 2018. Please include “Policy Intern” in the subject line and indicate where you saw the job posting in the text of the email.

Voices for Progress is an “at-will” and equal opportunity employer. Applicants and employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender expression), color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Voices for Progress seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

California State Policy Manager (California)

Voices for Progress Education Fund (V4PEF), and its sister organization, Voices For Progress (V4P), are young, growing, progressive national advocacy organizations that are building a counterweight to the campaign contributors and corporations who seek policies serving their own narrow financial self-interest. A 501(c)(3) project of the Tides Center, V4PEF, and V4P, a 501(c)(4) project of The Advocacy Fund, have enlisted hundreds of philanthropists, political donors and business leaders nationwide as members. Our members and staff advocate to elected officials to fight against climate change and economic inequality; to strengthen our democracy through campaign finance reform and voting protections; and on other social justice issues when threats or opportunities make it important to do so. For example, in 2017, additional advocacy will likely focus on criminal justice reform, healthcare, and immigration.

V4PEF seeks a full-time California State Policy Manager to lead its California State policy work in all areas, ensure that its CA members maximize their impact in Sacramento policy debates, and contribute to other organizational priorities that arise. This position will report to the California State Director and is assisted by the California State Associate, both located in Los Angeles. This position is located in Sacramento. V4PEF is open to applicants based in the Bay Area or other locations if willing to commute to Sacramento as much as 4 days per week when needed without reimbursement of travel costs. The California State Policy Manager is a full-time staffer of V4PEF, and will perform similar tasks on behalf of V4P as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop, recommend, and implement advocacy priorities and strategies for policies to prevent climate change; reduce poverty and economic inequality; strengthen democracy through campaign finance reform and voting protections; advance social justice (e.g. criminal justice reform, healthcare, immigration); and other key priorities
Conduct substantive research, and prepare issue briefs, factsheets, talking points and policy analyses to guide the organization’s priorities and to prepare our members for advocacy meetings with elected and appointed officials and their staff
Monitor state legislative and administrative policy developments
Participate in coalitions and build relationships with other organizations working on progressive policy issues, State elected and appointed officials, and staff
Review and advise on coalition sign-on letters and work with the CA State Associate to draft member sign-on letters
Offer testimony before legislative committees
With assistance from CA staff, execute briefings, fly-ins, conference calls, webinars, advocacy days at the Capitol, and related events for members, including leading meetings directly with elected officials
Draft communications and reports to keep members and funders apprised of policy developments and to encourage their participation in advocacy and funding thereof
Participate in candidate interviews, conduct related research, and otherwise advise and staff V4P’s State PAC and V4P’s other partisan efforts
Occasional travel required within California and to Washington, D.C.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Relevant college degree or equivalent work-related experience required
Minimum 3 years (more preferred) of experience working on California State public policy, either in the government or nongovernmental organizations working to formulate or influence policy
Ability to quickly jump into a new policy area and begin effectively advocating
Working knowledge of the current policy debates across as many as possible of the myriad issues V4PEF focuses on
Strong knowledge of legislative processes in the CA State legislature, and good judgment on legislative strategy
Major plus: experience working with and ongoing relationships with Sacramento nongovernment organizations, interest groups, and legislative and executive branch staff
Able to explain complex policy and legislative information in a clear, simple, concise and motivating manner
Passion for improving economic opportunity for all, fighting to protect the world against climate change, strengthening our democracy, and advancing social justice
Strong policy research skills
Excellent oral communication and writing skills
Self-starter, able to initiate and juggle multiple projects and work independently and with colleagues in other cities

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Voices For Progress Education Fund provides excellent benefits, including a 403(b), full medical, dental, vision and life insurance (Eligible on the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment). Salary is commensurate with experience.

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, relevant writing sample (2-5 pages, non-academic), and answers to the questions below to: voicesforprogressjobs@gmail.com with “California State Policy Manager” in the subject line. The cover letter should address how your experience prepares you for this position specifically and why you are drawn to this position.

California State Policy Manager Questionnaire

Your daytime and evening numbers, and the best time to reach you by phone.
Aside from the Voices for Progress website, where did you see this job listing?

Voices for Progress Education Fund is an “at-will” and equal opportunity employer. Applicants and employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity (including pregnancy and gender expression), color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with one or more disabilities may participate in the application process. Women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The employee is required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle and to manipulate keys on a keyboard. The employee may be required to sit or stand for an extended period of time. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, or crouch. Work is sometimes sedentary in the office, but also requires days spent in the Capitol frequently walking and standing for much of the day. The employee is required to travel in the state of California by air, train, car, public transportation, or by foot. Occasional travel required to Washington, D.C.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: General office environment. Work is often performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available. Frequently work is performed on the go in the Capitol and surrounding buildings. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The employee is usually subject to inside environmental conditions with frequent walks between buildings. No hazardous or other unpleasant conditions caused by dust or other possible hazards. Office access is through elevators. Office space has a mix of private and common offices with wide aisles between.