Policy & Advocacy Researcher

DIVISION: Department

DEPARTMENT: Policy & Advocacy

REPORTS TO: Director of Policy & Advocacy

CLASSIFICATION: At-Will

PAY SCALE: Volunteer

WORK TIME: Must be able to commit to a minimum of 5 hours/wk and up to 15 hours/wk flexibly.

FLSA STATUS: N/A

START DATE: ASAP

OUR MISSION:

We are building a Gen Z-led movement seeking to empower young leaders to advocate for transformative policy and bold political action, predominantly at a state and local level. We are committed to a bottom-up movement that prioritizes the needs of the communities we represent and seeks to reclaim our future by advocating for social, economic, environmental, and other kinds of political reform.

POSITION SUMMARY

Beyond the Ballot is committed to an employee-oriented, high-performance culture that emphasizes empowerment, education, continuous improvement, and the recruitment and ongoing development of a superior workforce. The Policy & Advocacy Researcher (PAR) position is considered a Department position and reports to the Director of Policy & Advocacy. This position requires ample ability to research and understand a variety of issues that encompass the values of the Progressive Movement and Beyond the Ballot as an organization. This position also assists in creating research-oriented outlines of existing policies and advocacy action items that align with Beyond the Ballot’s mission and legislative goals, as well as a creative approach to elevating new ideas of progress. This position will also help consume and synthesize federal and state legislation that touches these policy areas for development, legislative response efforts, and organization advocacy action campaigns. Due to the remote nature of work at Beyond the Ballot, this position can be performed in different time zones than the organization’s central branch.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma, GED equivalent, or technical school preferred;

WORK EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Familiarity with Google products, such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc.

• Expansive knowledge in progressive policies, advocacy materials, and understanding of how the federal legislative process operates;

• Consistent foundation in political/policy research and knowledge of legislative items (ex. Bills, Memorandums, Resolutions, etc.);

• Ability to produce substantial research on given policies and political topics;

• Ability to concisely synthesize and present information and policy updates regularly.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assists the Director of Policy & Advocacy with basic means of federal and state legislative tracking of outlined policies;

• Creates cohesive policy briefing documents on specific and relevant bills/areas of policy for the Director of Policy & Advocacy;

• Continuously monitors the moves made by legislative members and/or specific legislative items such as bills, memorandums, declarations, etc.;

• Provides timely and insightful analysis of proposed legislation and regulations and their potential impact to the Director of Policy & Advocacy;

• Complete weekly forms regarding political action items, digital campaign ideas, and assigned Congressional committee actions to the Director of Policy & Advocacy;

• Complete weekly assigned University Compliance Tracking updates to necessary documents;

• Meet with the Department of Policy & Advocacy staff on a bi-weekly (or as situations arise) basis to discuss and present policy movements, advocacy ideas, and policy-related needs;

• Aid in the development of action items as a response to policy implementations or introductions by the Presidential Administration, US Congressional Members, State Legislators/Leaders;

• Fulfill any additional tasks assigned by the Director of Policy & Advocacy;

• Other duties that may be assigned by the Bylaws or as a result of new policies.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical abilities, working conditions, and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification.

Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.

Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.

Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.

Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.

Remote Work Requirements: Subject to change. Please ask for the most updated policies.

Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Ability to be flexible and adapt as needed between various in-person working environments. Will require travel to multiple sites.

Beyond the Ballot does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management and administration reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

POLICY OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT AND NONDISCRIMINATION

Pursuant to Article 2 Section 3 of the organization's Bylaws, Beyond the Ballot will not practice or permit any unlawful or unethical discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, physical handicap or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. Beyond the Ballot is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our policy is clear and concise: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. Allegations of discrimination should be promptly delivered to the Executive Director, the Chief Human Resource Officer, and/or any member of the Board of Directors.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE

Beyond the Ballot is committed to building a diverse workforce, ensuring and creating equity across our processes, procedures, and systems, and fostering an environment that’s inclusive and representative of the communities we serve. Our organization was founded on the free expression of ideas, and our environment reflects those ideals by ensuring meaningful mechanisms are in place to ensure that the visions and interests of every individual employee have a seat at the decision-making table.