Research Intern

The Bell Policy Center is hiring for a part-time, temporary (20 hours/week, for a term of 9 months) Research Intern to help with research and coordination on community-engaged policy research projects. Specifically, the Research Intern will assist with coordination and advancement of a project on early childhood education policy in Jefferson County, as well as help to develop a community-centered research brief about the impacts of inadequate state funding on a specific area of Colorado’s budget (such as healthcare or workforce development). The Research Intern reports to the Director of Policy and Research and may also be called upon to assist other members of the policy team.

Responsibilities

• Assists with meeting logistics, coordination, and preparation for meetings with leaders and community organizations for assigned research projects
• Compiles relevant background information and statistics for assigned research projects
• Assists with taking, compiling, and synthesizing meeting notes
• Assists in writing research briefs
• Joins meetings with community partners

Desired Skills and Qualities

• Demonstrated ability to easily collect and synthesize information from multiple sources
• Detail orientation and high level of organization
• Ability to outline and write research papers
• Ability to work with diverse partners
• Approaches work with an intentional equity lens, including a understanding of the impact of structural racism, sexism, and other systemic issues
• Interest in economic mobility, preferably in one or more of the Bell Policy Center’s areas of focus (caregiving across the lifespan, aging, housing, consumer protection and wealth building, budget and tax policy, or related issues)
• Values community perspectives/experiences as a form of knowledge
• A bachelor’s degree in a related field OR at least one year of experience working directly with community groups
• The ability to work independently while remaining part of an overall team
• Commitment to the vision and goals of the Bell Policy Center.

Hours and Compensation

The Research Intern is an hourly (non-exempt) position set at 20 hours/week at $21/hour for a term of nine months (September 2025-June 2026, although start and end dates are flexible). This position is available for a hybrid work environment, although attendance at in-person meetings in the Denver metro area will be required.

To Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to Hannah Arredondo, Finance and Operations Associate, arredondo@bellpolicy.org. Please include “Research Intern” in the subject line of your email.

About the Bell Policy Center

Based in Denver, Colorado, the Bell Policy Center’s mission is to ensure economic mobility for every Coloradan. Through policy research, outreach, communications, and advocacy, we work to ignite a conversation that inspires communities and their leaders to transform Colorado into a state where everyone thrives. Recognizing that racism, sexism, classism, and other systemic forms of oppression have prevented generations of Coloradans from enjoying economic mobility, the Bell focuses on key systems and levers for mobility, such as public finance, the care economy, postsecondary education and workforce development, housing, and family economic security. We are nonprofit and nonpartisan. To learn more about our work, go to www.bellpolicy.org.

The Bell Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer. We know that Coloradans who belong to marginalized groups in society—including people of color, people from working class backgrounds, immigrants, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ people—are more likely to be left out of opportunities for economic mobility. Because we believe these communities must be centered in the work we do, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.