Nonprofit
Published 10/30/25 5:02PM

Policy Counsel

Hybrid, Work must be performed in District of Columbia, US
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  • Details

    Job Type:
    Full Time
    Start Date:
    January 5, 2026
    Application Deadline:
    November 7, 2025
    Education:
    J.D. Required
    Experience Level:
    Mid-level
    Salary:
    USD $90,000 - $110,000 / year
    To counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, we use a nonnegotiable starting salary process.
    Cause Areas:
    Communications Access, Consumer Protection, Human Rights & Civil Liberties, Policy, Science & Technology, Civic Engagement, Media

    Description

    Free Press is a national non-profit with a staff of 40. We’re looking for an experienced Policy Counsel to join us in our work for equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and journalism that holds leaders accountable and tells people what’s actually happening in their communities. We’re fiesty, supportive and racial justice-oriented.

    The Policy Counsel will advance Free Press’ racial-justice and civil- and consumer-rights priorities regarding media, journalism and technology at federal agencies, in Congress, at state legislatures and in judicial proceedings. This position will track the daily activities at relevant agencies and legislatures, and build relationships with and influence key staff there. The policy counsel will collaborate with colleagues to conduct meetings with agency and legislative staff, analyze legislation, write briefs and advisory memos, conduct legal research, contribute to position papers, and draft and file comments in regulatory and adjudicatory proceedings.

    Experience and qualifications required to succeed in this position:

    • Juris Doctorate degree strongly preferred; advanced public policy degree paired with issue expertise and experience may also demonstrate qualifications for this position
    • 5 or more years of directly relevant experience in media, technology and telecommunications policy
    • Experience advocating to lawmakers and policymakers
    • Superb legal writing and analytical skills and capable of producing concise and persuasive filings and other documents
    • Ability to work across teams and the entire organization to help problem solve, triage competing priorities, and generate ideas that will innovate existing projects and programs or create new ones
    • Flexibility and demonstrated capacity to operate in a fast-paced environment
    • Commitment to racial equity and experienced working with Black, Indigenous and/or other communities of color
    • A team player attitude with a low-ego approach to collaboration with both internal and external colleagues

    Benefits

    The starting salary is $90,00-$110,000. To counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, we use a nonnegotiable starting salary process.

    Generous benefits include

    • Annual paid time off is a total of eleven weeks, including vacation, health-care leave, holidays, and two organization-wide week-long closures.
    • Group medical, dental and vision insurance
    • Short- and long-term disability insurance
    • Employer contribution to retirement plans (no matching required)
    • Flexible health, commuter and dependent care spending accounts
    • Paid family leave
    • After 7 years of employment with Free Press, staff are eligible to apply for a paid two-month sabbatical
    • Stipends for business use of personal phones and for home office locations
    • All employees receive computers and equipment necessary for the job
    • A flexible, supportive work culture

    Location

    Hybrid
    Work must be performed in District of Columbia, US
    Associated Location
    1025 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20036, United States
    Suite 301

    How to Apply

    Key dates:

    Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and we encourage candidates to submit applications by November 7, 2025. This search will remain open until the position is filled. The ideal candidate will be available to begin work by January 5, 2026

    How to apply:

    Complete our online application at the link. Fully answering the application questions is an important part of the application process.

    Please add "apps.bamboohr.com" to your contact list so you won't miss any emails from us regarding the application.

    Free Press provides reasonable accommodations for the application, interview, or any other aspect of the employee selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please email amartyn@freepress.net to request an accommodation.

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