Policy Associate

Job Type

Full-time

Description

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) helped lead the effort for passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, a landmark law that got soda and most junk food out of schools and ensures that school meals provide more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less salt and saturated fat. Since then, we have been working to defend science-based school nutrition requirements, pass policies to allow all students to receive free school meals, and ensure schools have the tools they need to provide healthy, delicious meals.

This is a 12-month, grant-funded, full-time position with the possibility of extension. We are seeking a Policy Associate to join the Child Nutrition Programs team to focus on CSPI’s state school foods policy portfolio. This position will report to the Child Nutrition Campaign Manager, and the anticipated start date is mid-June 2026.

CSPI’s state school food policy priorities include increasing access to free school meals, requiring strong, evidence-based nutrition standards, and ensuring schools have the resources they need (e.g., sufficient reimbursement, equipment, infrastructure) and systems in place (e.g., training for staff, sufficient time for students to eat) for students to reap the benefits of nutritious school meals.

CSPI’s office is in Washington, DC, where we offer a hybrid work environment with staff free to work from home but available for occasional in-person meetings based on team needs. But many of our staff work remotely at locations across the US. We will consider DC-based or remote applicants within the US.

About CSPI

CSPI is one of the nation’s leading public health advocacy organizations, with a 50-year record of fighting for public health and a food system that makes healthy, sustainable food accessible to all.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Policy Advocacy

• Coordinate statewide advocacy to advance child nutrition policies, including assisting with the development of statewide policy goals and strategies.
• Advocate for statewide policies via lobbying, testimony, letters of support, and other tactics; coordinate activities with contract lobbyists as needed.
• Track state policies impacting child nutrition programs, including legislation, regulations, budget allocations, ballot initiatives, and other policies.
• Broaden support for policy priorities among elected and appointed officials, allied organizations, academics, health professionals, and concerned citizens.
• Work with cross-functional teams to develop evidence-based child nutrition policy recommendations.

Coalitions, Partner Engagement, and Relationship Building

• Represent CSPI in coalitions and with partners, cultivating and expanding relationships with organizations and stakeholders.
• Conduct outreach to state agencies and school districts to support school meal priorities.
• Provide technical assistance, materials, and strategic advice to organizations and coalitions.

Corporate Engagement and Corporate Campaigns

• Engage industry groups and associations on initiatives to improve school food–focused products and practices.
• Support campaigns to pressure industry to improve practices.

Communications and Campaign Materials

• Develop and update resources, including fact sheets, web pages, case studies, social media posts, infographics, communications materials, talking points, grassroots alerts, testimony, and other advocacy materials.

External Relations

• Organize and represent CSPI at meetings, events, briefings, webinars, calls, and with the press.

Development and Project Finance

• Contribute to grant applications and reports.

Subgranting

• Identify and research subgrantees, review proposals, monitor metrics and budgets, and provide technical assistance.

Management

• Manage interns and contractors where applicable.

General

• Perform other departmental activities as needed.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate would possess:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of lobbying, legislative, or policy experience (required).
• State policy experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced education in health policy or nutrition preferred (MS, MPP, MPH, or equivalent—counts as two years of experience).
• School nutrition operations experience preferred but not required.
• Basic knowledge of evidence-based food and nutrition recommendations.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders professionally and credibly.
• Excellent communication skills with persuasive speaking ability.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent judgment and professionalism with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-disciplinary team.
• Interest in and commitment to CSPI’s mission.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in public health and social justice.
• Proficiency with MS Office, social media, advocacy tools, and web-based applications.

CSPI on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CSPI is committed to including and valuing diverse voices and fostering a culture where all staff feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to be their best selves. Each of us is committed to living our core values:

• We are inclusive — fostering belonging and affirming diverse experiences and perspectives.
• We are open — honest and direct in communication.
• We are kind — treating one another with respect and compassion.
• We are collaborative — working together for shared success.
• We are accountable — taking responsibility, learning from mistakes, and adjusting when needed.

Compensation

The salary range is $65,000 to $70,000, based on relevant experience. The actual salary offered will consider factors including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, internal equity, and budget.

CSPI offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 3 weeks of annual vacation leave
• Paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave
• Excellent medical and dental insurance with significant employer contribution
• 3% employer match to retirement plan after six months
• ½ day Fridays (36-hour work week)

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter highlighting relevant experience. The application deadline is Monday, 5/18/26.

CSPI is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills and encourages people of diverse ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, disabilities, religions, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, work, and life experiences to apply.

Research indicates members of marginalized groups tend to underestimate their qualifications and apply only if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about CSPI’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Apply here