Campaign Fellow

Overview

Vanessa Atterbeary’s campaign for Howard County Executive is searching for motivated and ambitious individuals to join our team for the 2026 primary election. Fellows will primarily work on the front lines of the campaign, and gain political and communications experience while working directly with campaign staff. This is an opportunity designed for those interested in government, law, politics, and/or public policy and are looking to begin careers in the field.

Primary Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of fellows may include, but are not limited to:

• Engaging in direct voter contact, such as canvassing and phone banking.
• Recruiting and training volunteers to participate in direct voter contact programs.
• Attending and assisting with the operation of key campaign events.

Fellowship Program Benefits

• By the end of the program, fellows will receive structured training and gain specific experience in:
  • Best practices in voter messaging and communication.
  • Utilizing voter outreach tools used by Democratic campaigns nationwide.
  • Staffing events such as canvass launches, house parties, and forums.
  • Organizing canvass launches to knock on voters' doors.
  • Organizing phonebanking events to make calls to voters.
  • Methods for effectively targeting voters for persuasion and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts
  • Recruiting and training volunteers.
• Fellows may earn community service or service-learning hours (depending on local school system policy)
• The campaign is willing to sponsor students for high school or college credit.
• Reference letters may be provided upon completion of the program if requested.

Qualifications

• Passionate about the Democratic policy platform and excited to get involved in a hyper-local race in your community.
• Comfortable canvassing in public spaces.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively and clearly communicate.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize various tasks.
• A working phone and access to a computer.
• Availability on the weekends is preferred, but not required.
• Access to a vehicle is preferred in order to attend canvass launches and other events, but not required.

There are no educational requirements, and prior campaign experience is not required for participation in the fellowship program.

The fellows program is unpaid and can be in-person, hybrid, or remote. The expected commitment is 5–10 hours per week through June 23, 2026.

To apply, submit your resume and a brief personal statement (1–2 paragraphs) at this Google Form. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact alex@vanessaatterbeary.org.