Federal Policy Advisor

Position: Federal Policy Advisor (12-14 Month Temporary Employee with Possibility of Renewal)

Reports to: Senior Advisor for Election Infrastructure
Location: Washington, D.C. area, with 10% travel
Priority Application Deadline: February 9, 2025

The Challenge and Opportunity

The Institute for Responsive Government helps policymakers find solutions that make government more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of real human beings. We start with the mechanics of democracy: our key focus areas include practical pro-voter policies like Automatic Voter Registration and voter-centric election administration, and resource solutions like predictable federal funding to address chronic policy problems. Then, we work to make democracy meet its promises. Government should provide customer service and material benefits at every touchpoint—from health benefits to taxes to the DMV. If we choose to come together with our neighbors to make up a democracy, that government must deliver well enough to make us choose participation.

The Organization

Building on a decade of success working in partnership with state political leaders from both parties, lawmakers, NGOs, and academic leaders, the Institute for Responsive Government is a hub for policy and technical experts, organizers, and government officials working together to craft pragmatic, human-centered policies designed to make government more responsive to all of us.

The Person

As Federal Policy Advisor, you will work with Responsive Gov’s federal team, partner organizations, and consultants to respond to federal legislative and executive policy developments. This is a fast-paced job, involving crafting legislative text, responding to policymaker and stakeholder ideas with coherent policy analysis, and developing strategies for Responsive Gov to advance policies that strengthen American democracy. You are a detail-oriented, proactive, and thoughtful professional looking for a flexible job that helps strengthen our democracy.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Analysis

• Serve as lead legal analyst on federal policy that touches on Responsive Gov’s areas of interest.
• Conduct rapid analysis of complex policy issues, delivering clear and concise recommendations and plain language summaries.
• Prepare well-crafted policy briefs, bill and executive order analyses, reports, and advocacy materials with clarity and precision.

Policy Development and Advocacy

• Support federal policy development in a fast-paced environment, requiring high responsiveness and quick decision-making.
• Research and write legislative text, either from scratch or by improving existing legislation.
• Support Responsive Gov’s legislative advocacy efforts through strategic planning, stakeholder management, and preparing for and participating in meetings with policymakers.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on voting policy, voter registration, and the structure and funding of election systems.

Skills and Qualifications

The Ideal Candidate is:

• Committed to our core mission of supporting democracy and quality election administration.
• Resilient and demonstrates dynamic perseverance in the face of evolving strategic challenges.
• A knowledgeable attorney comfortable crafting legislative text and conducting policy analysis.
• A self-starter with the ability to quickly integrate and explain complicated policy concepts in an accessible way.
• A strong researcher, writer, and communicator, able to convey complex concepts concisely.
• Results-driven, maximizing impact and delivering tangible outcomes.
• Creative and proactive in identifying problems and developing actionable solutions.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, remote structure.
• Oriented towards possibilities and embodies an abundance mindset.

Education and Experience

• JD and legal background strongly preferred to assist in navigating regulatory frameworks and policy impacts.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience.
• Experience in legislative processes, policy development, congressional oversight, and/or election law is required. Federal experience is a plus but not mandatory.
• Proven ability to analyze complex policies and communicate with stakeholders from diverse ideological backgrounds.

The Tangible Good

The salary range for this position is $135,000 – $155,000. The benefits package includes:

• A 401(k) program with a 3% employer contribution plus a 3% employer match, fully vested on day one.
• 100% coverage of health, dental, and vision premiums.

Learn more here