State Policy Fellowship

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a high-caliber strategic policy institute that informs and shapes public policies to reduce poverty, promote equity, and build opportunity. It has a national reputation for conducting rigorous research and analysis, developing evidence-based policy ideas and strategies, shaping a broad array of policy debates at the federal and state levels, and influencing policy outcomes on a range of critical issues. It focuses on improving the lives of people with low or moderate incomes and examines how policies affect particular groups, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. The Center is known for its unique capacity to blend rigorous, timely analysis with effective communications that enable policymakers and the media to make use of its work.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is seeking applicants for the State Policy Fellowship Program to work as analysts on budget and public policy issues affecting low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. 

To expand the diversity of voices that speak with authority in state policy debates, the program identifies highly motivated candidates – with particular attention to candidates who have experience with communities underrepresented in state policy debates – with a demonstrated interest in working on public policies that affect low-income and diverse communities and have implications for racial equity. Fellows are placed with influential state policy organizations across the country. 

The fellowship is a project of the State Priorities Partnership, a national network (https://statepriorities.org/) coordinated by the Center. 

Position:

Working in independent, highly respected policy organizations located across the country, State Policy Fellows analyze the impact of state budget and tax policy choices on low-income residents and communities of color and promote positive reforms. Fellows tackle domestic policy challenges in areas such as:  

• Taxes 
• Health care 
• Poverty reduction 
• Population health 
• Criminal justice 
• K-12 and higher education 
• Immigrant rights 
• Youth and adult justice 
• Tribal and Indigenous policy 
• Economic development 

The State Policy Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity to develop in-depth policy expertise. Fellowship responsibilities include tracking and analyzing legislative proposals and state budgets as well as conducting research and analysis on state budget, tax, and other issues to improve the lives of families from all backgrounds. Fellows will also produce reports and other materials for use by policymakers, journalists, advocacy groups, and civic organizations and collaborate with community-based advocates to engage the public on the impacts of public policies on their communities.  

Additionally, Fellows will participate in training and career development opportunities, work with mentors, and have access to ongoing training and opportunities for professional growth. 

Core Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree plus two years of relevant research or advocacy experience; or a graduate degree in a related field acquired within the past two years, or an expected graduate degree before August 1, 2022. 
• Strong quantitative and writing skills. 
• Commitment to improving the well-being of low- and moderate-income households and building and/or deepening commitment to racial justice work. 
• Demonstrated interest in working on public policies affecting low-income communities, communities of color, and LGBTQ communities, and policies with implications for racial equity. 
• The ability to work on multiple tasks independently and as part of a highly collaborative team, often on a time-sensitive basis. 
• Familiarity with state tax policy issues and concepts is an advantage, but not required. 
• A two-year commitment is expected – candidates must be eligible to work full time in the United States for the two-year duration of the program. 

Additional Requirements Based on Type of Fellowship: In addition to the requirements described above, some fellows in the 2022 cohort will focus specifically on state tribal policy. Additional requirements are listed below. 

State Tribal Positions:

• A basic understanding of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) history and peoples, the unique political status of tribal governments, the government-to-government relationship and federal trust responsibility, and tribal sovereignty and how this informs and shapes federal, state, and tribal government interactions and policy formation. 
• An interest in building authentic relationships with tribal leaders and working collaboratively combined with some knowledge about national and state agendas, issues, impacts, and trends in policy as they relate to AIAN tribes, and a desire to develop a policy agenda that reflects tribal priorities within a state policy context. 
• Direct experience with services to AIAN communities is preferred. 
• Experience working with AIAN communities is highly preferred. 

Applicants may select up to three locations or state organizations. Please list your top preference as “location preference 1.” Applicants must include a few sentences about their connection to the location(s). Applicants must be willing to relocate to the selected location. 

Application Deadline: February 18, 2022, 11:59 p.m. EST

Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt. This is a two-year term position.

Start Date: Summer 2022 

Compensation:

Fellows earn a minimum salary of $50,000 (regional salary adjustments may be applied to higher-cost locations). Health benefits are included. 

Required Application Material:

We ask that you submit several documents to help us learn more about who you are as an individual and as a candidate. Required documents include a cover letter, resume, equity and inclusion statement, and two writing samples. It is best to have these documents and materials prepared before starting the application. Please visit https://www.cbpp.org/careers/fellowship/fellowship-application for more information. 

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.