Careers

Description:

We are now accepting applications for 2021 class of State Policy Fellows. Fellows in this cohort would begin August 2021. Please have your application and materials submitted by February 19, 2021.

Making a difference for low-income families and communities

State Policy Fellows tackle domestic policy challenges in areas like health care, taxes, anti-poverty policy, education, and criminal justice. Working in independent, highly respected policy organizations located across the country, Fellows analyze the impact of state budget and tax policy choices on low-income residents and promote positive reforms.

Bringing diverse perspectives to state policy debates

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 having experience with communities that are underrepresented in state policy debates – who have a demonstrated interest in working on public policies that affect low-income communities, communities of color, and tribal communities.

Launching careers

State Policy Fellows spend two years with an influential state-based policy organization, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, or the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Fellows research and write analyses on current policy issues; brief policymakers, journalists, and civic leaders; and engage with advocates and community groups.

Examples of work from current and former State Policy Fellows:

• A Minimum Wage Boost Would Improve Equity for 2.5 Million Floridians and Bolster the State’s Post-Pandemic Recovery

• Ohio Promise: Equitable Free College

• Increase the State Tobacco Tax for a Healthier Georgia

• Who Pays Taxes in Texas?

• Improving Tax Credits for a Stronger and Healthier New Mexico

• The Coronavirus Pandemic Demands State Investment in Montana’s Indian Country

The Fellowship is a project of the State Priorities Partnership, a national network coordinated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, one of the nation’s premier policy institutes. Fellows will receive training and career development, will work with mentors, and will have access to ongoing opportunities for professional growth.

Core Requirements

• A college 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, 2021.

• Strong quantitative and writing skills.

• A 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 both 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 requirements described above, some fellows in the 2021 cohort will be focusing specifically on state tribal policy and population health. Additional requirements for each are listed below.

State Tribal Positions

• A basic understating of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) 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 a knowledge about national and state agendas, issues, impacts, and trends in policy as they relate to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and desire to develop a policy agenda that reflects tribal priorities within a state policy context.

• Direct experience with services to American Indian/Alaska Native communities is preferred.

• Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native communities highly preferred.

Population Health Positions

• Familiarity with population health concepts including public health, health equity, and the social determinants of health;

• Understanding of the connections between structural racism and health outcomes;

• Experience working on policies related to at least one of the social determinants of health (including but not limited to food security, health care access, income, housing, or transit);

• An interest in advancing health equity through state policy; coursework or a degree in public health encouraged but not required.

https://www.cbpp.org/careers/fellowship/fellowship-application