Careers in Public Policy

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in public policy? Here's an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have entry level and internship opportunities that will interest you.

See companies with public policy careers or search the latest public policy jobs and internships.

Photo Credit: Flickr user USDAgov

Public policy is a disciplined approach to analyzing and solving current issues involving many people, as well as how policy decisions are made. Many jobs in public policy can be divided into a few major areas: government, business, consulting, law, and the nonprofit sector.

Most jobs involving public policy require a bachelor’s degree, which can be in public policy or in another field of interest. More important are your writing, reading, and critical thinking skills, as well as turning theory into experience via internships or research.

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Public Policy

Generation Citizen - Generation Citizen is a Boston, MA based non-profit that “teaches teenagers direct political action through an innovative in-class curriculum.”

See the complete Generation Citizen profile

Job Title	Location
Software Systems Engineer	Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Mid Mkt, Corporate Bnking RM I	Philadelphia, PA
Recruitment Open House	Sudbury, MA
Field Sales Representative	San Jose, CA
Sales/Business Development Specialist	New York, NY

See all 1,855 job postings

Small Business Majority - Small Business Majority is a San Francisco, CA based “national small business organization" that focuses "on solving the biggest problems facing small businesses today.”

See the complete Small Business Majority profile

Job Title	Location
Sales & Marketing - Business Brokers	New York, NY
Advertising Account Executive	Norwalk, CT
Contact Center Technical Specialist	Hagerstown, MD
Account Manager – Federal Government	Vienna, VA
Operations Department Assistant	Costa Mesa, CA

See all 1,955 job postings

Local Initiatives Support Corporation - LISC is an NYC based non-profit that connects "local organizations and community leaders with resources to revitalize neighborhoods and improve quality of life.”

See the complete Local Initiatives Support Corporation profile

Job Title	Location
Institutional Specialist II - Northwest Philadelphia, PA	Philadelphia, PA
General Manager	Seattle, WA
Primary Care Sales Representative II- Manhattan East	New York, NY
Specialty Sales Representative II - Cardiology - Baltimore, Maryland	Baltimore, MD
Primary Care Sales Representative II / Columbia, MO	Columbia, MO

See all 3,538 job postings

Justice Policy Institute - Justice Policy Institute is a D.C. non-profit that aims to "reframe the conversation around justice for all."

See the complete Justice Policy Institute profile

Job Title	Location
College Director	Salem, VA
Manager - Clinical Services & Infusion Center (Oncology)	Orange, CA
Engineering Technician	New York, NY
Research Associate	Silver Spring, MD
Learning Resource Center Assistant - (Part Time)	Norfolk, VA

See all 2,307 job postings

FWD.us - FWD.us is a San Francisco, CA based lobbying organization that promotes "policies to keep the United States and its citizens competitive in a global economy."

See the complete FWD.us profile

Job Title	Location
Copywriter	New York, NY
Fall Apprentice Internship	New York, NY
Digital Advcoacy Fellowship	San Francisco, CA
Research Fellow	Los Angeles, CA
Organizing Fellow	Boston, NY

See all 16 job postings

Stitcher - Stitcher is a San Francisco, CA based company that lets you access “over 20,000+ radio shows and podcasts on your iPhone, iPad, Android or PC–anytime, anywhere.”

See the complete Stitcher profile

Job Title	Location
Stitcher Operator	Sun Prairie, WI
Copy Operator	New York, NY
General Clerk / Admin	Washington, DC
Bindery Machine Operator	Township of Pennsauken, NJ
Copy Operator	Boston, MA

See all 158 job postings

Targeted Victory - Targeted Victory is an Alexandria, VA based agency that has “anchored digital campaigns on the local, state, and presidential level.”

See the complete Targeted Victory profile

Job Title	Location
Analyst, Email Marketing	Alexandria, VA
Coordinator, Email Marketing	Alexandria, VA
UI/UX Designer	Alexandria, VA
Coordinator, Fundraising	Alexandria, VA
Data Analyst, Data Platforms Team	Alexandria, VA

See all 37 job postings

Bipartisan Policy Center - The Bipartisan Policy Center is a Washington, DC based non-profit that encourages the two parties to work together on important issues.

See the complete Bipartisan Policy Center profile

Job Title	Location
Intern - Human Resources	Washington, DC
Constituent Data and Systems Analyst	Washington, DC
Intern - Web Team	Washington, DC
Intern - Web Team	Washington, DC
Manager of Corporate Relations	Washington, DC

See all 11 job postings

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a DC based non-profit that “conducts research and analysis to help shape public debates over proposed budget and tax policies."

See the complete Center on Budget and Policy Priorities profile

Job Title	Location
IT Specialist II - Art Director	Norman, OK
Production Manager	Sacramento, CA
Executive Director	Potomac, MD
Distribution Center Manager II	Hanover, MD
Senior Marketing Manager	Watertown, MA

See all 2,980 job postings

National Alliance to End Homelessness - The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a Washington, DC based non-profit that, as its name indicates, is working to end homelessness.

See the complete National Alliance to End Homelessness profile

Job Title	Location
MIS Project Manager II	Martinez, CA

See all 1 job postings

The National Center on Time & Learning - The National Center on Time & Learning is a Boston, MA non-profit that “is dedicated to expanding learning time to improve student achievement."

See the complete The National Center on Time & Learning profile

Job Title	Location
Perioperative Educator 6211	Vail, CO
Sr. Infrastructure Engineer (DevOps)	Burlingame, CA
Physician (Chief Workforce Development/Associate Chief of Staff for Education)	New Orleans, LA
Assistant Vice-President - Perioperative Service - Sinai	Baltimore, MD
Sales Representative - CPD	Chantilly, VA

See all 7,717 job postings

Natural Resources Defense Council - NRDC is an NYC based non-profit that wants to "safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends."

See the complete Natural Resources Defense Council profile

Job Title	Location
Program Assistant - International	Washington, DC
Prelaw Intern	Chicago, IL
Development Associate - Grant Writer	New York, NY
Development Assistant	New York, NY
Staff Attorney, Water Program	Santa Monica, CA

See all 28 job postings

Landesa - Landesa is a Seattle, WA based non-profit that “works to secure land rights for the world’s poorest people."

See the complete Landesa profile

Job Title	Location
Chief Operating Officer	Seattle, WA
Program Assistant, Program Partnerships	Seattle, WA

See all 2 job postings

American Council of Young Political Leaders - American Council of Young Political Leaders is a DC non-profit that introduces "rising political and policy professionals to international affairs and to each other.”

See the complete American Council of Young Political Leaders profile

Job Title	Location
President & CEO	New Brunswick, NJ
Readiness Deputy National Director	Washington, DC
CHILD CARE HEALTH PROGRAM CONSULTANT	Phoenix, AZ
SR DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS	Phoenix, AZ
President & CEO, Arts Center	New Jersey

See all 4 job postings

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership - Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to “guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.”

See the complete Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership profile

No current job openings.

Americas Society/Council of the Americas - Americas Society and Council of the Americas are two New York, NY based non-profits in one that aim to improve relations across the Americas.

See the complete Americas Society/Council of the Americas profile

No current job openings.

International Council on Clean Transportation - International Council on Clean Transportation is a Washington, DC based org that aims “to improve the energy efficiency of road, marine, and air transportation."

See the complete International Council on Clean Transportation profile

Job Title	Location
Librarian II	Los Angeles, CA
Sub Saharan SH&E Manager - Various Locations	Houston, TX
Sub Saharan SH&E Manager - Various Locations	Houston, TX
Organizational Development Leader-Clearwater, FL or Minneapolis, MN	Minneapolis, MN
Business Development Manager - Refuse	Portland, OR

See all 1 job postings

Institute for Educational Leadership - The Institute for Educational Leadership is a Washington, DC based non-profit that does research, leadership development, and policy work in the area of education.

See the complete Institute for Educational Leadership profile

Job Title	Location
RN Specialist - Oncology NCI	Urbana, IL
General Education Instructors	Atlanta, GA
Sr Planned Giving Officer	Los Angeles, CA
Corrections Advisors - Level II	Alexandria, VA
Summer Intern in Budget Office	New York

See all 1,352 job postings

Center for Clean Air Policy - The Center for Clean Air Policy is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is “a recognized world leader in climate and air quality policy."

See the complete Center for Clean Air Policy profile

Job Title	Location
TRUCK DRIVER / WAREHOUSE TECHNICIANS	Wichita, KS
Sales & Customer Service Representative	Township of Monroe, NJ
Automotive TECHNICIAN	Jeffersonville, IN
Night Shift Order Selector FreshPoint Raleigh	Morrisville, NC
HVAC & General Maintenance Technician	Alpharetta, GA

See all 1,048 job postings

Defenders of Wildlife - Defenders of Wildlife is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to “protect and restore imperiled species throughout North America."

See the complete Defenders of Wildlife profile

Job Title	Location
Director of Information Technology	Washington, DC
Accountant	Washington, DC
Revenue Accountant	Washington, DC
Alaska Representative	Washington, DC
Water Policy Advisor, California Program	Washington, DC

See all 10 job postings

Marine Conservation Institute - Marine Conservation Institute is a Seattle, WA non-profit that uses the latest science to identify and advocate for important marine ecosystems around the world.

See the complete Marine Conservation Institute profile

Job Title	Location
OPS F&W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II	Saint Petersburg, FL
Research Associate Intern	Boston, MA
Director, Office of Management and Budget	Silver Spring, MD
Sea Lion Trainer II-III	New Orleans, LA
GSIPM Adjunct Faculty - International Environmental Policy	Monterey, CA

See all 13 job postings

Group of Fifty - The Group of Fifty is a DC based non-profit made up of select “business leaders who head some of the most significant and forward-looking enterprises in Latin America."

See the complete Group of Fifty profile

Job Title	Location
Outpatient Therapist Opportunites in NEW Franklin County, PA Clinic w/FBR!	Chambersburg, PA
Full Time Licensed Outpatient Therapist - Johnstown, PA Clinic w/ FBR!	Johnstown, PA
Licensed Outpatient Therapist - Indiana, PA Clinic w/ FBR	Indiana, PA
Senior Product Filing Analyst	Hartford, CT
Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) - Ford City, PA w/ FBR!	Ford City, PA

See all 1,148 job postings

The Trust for Public Land - The Trust for Public Land is a San Francisco, CA based org that was “founded in 1972 with goals of protecting land in and around cities and pioneering."

See the complete The Trust for Public Land profile

Job Title	Location
Marketing Internship	San Francisco, CA
Drupal Developer	Washington, DC
Project Engineer - Professional CIvil Engineer	Oklahoma City, OK
Experienced Oilfield Sales - Offering competitive wages	Greeley, CO
Administrative Assistant, Oceans North	Seattle, WA

See all 244 job postings

Parent Revolution - Parent Revolution is a Los Angeles, CA based non-profit that is aiming to “transform public education based on what is good for children, not adults."

See the complete Parent Revolution profile

Job Title	Location
Receptionist	Houston, TX
Marketing Manager	Chicago, IL
Campus Librarian	Indianapolis, IN
Receptionist	Laredo, TX
School Operations Manager	Newark, NJ

See all 26 job postings

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - Rails-to-Trails is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is aiming “to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines."

See the complete Rails-to-Trails Conservancy profile

Job Title	Location
Trails and Greenways Program	Washington, DC
Policy/Administrative	Washington, DC
Transportation Policy	Washington, DC
Development/Fund Raising	Washington, DC
TrailLink.com Photography	Washington, DC

See all 6 job postings

National Academy for State Health Policy - The National Academy for State Health Policy is a non-profit that helps “states achieve excellence in health policy and practice” by working with each other.

See the complete National Academy for State Health Policy profile

Job Title	Location
NP/PA - Oncology (Tunnell Cancer Center) (FT)	Lewes, DE
NURSE PRACTITIONER	Shrewsbury, NJ
Patient Transfer Ctr Rep	Richmond, VA
Research Associate, Board on Health Sciences Policy	Washington, DC
Director of Medical/Science Media Relations	Baltimore, MD

See all 484 job postings

City Hall Fellows - City Hall Fellows is a San Francisco, CA based non-profit that engages “diverse, talented young people in the work of cities.”

See the complete City Hall Fellows profile

Job Title	Location
Administrative Specialist - Futures Initiative & HASTAC @ CUNY	New York, NY
Administrative Specialist - Futures Initiative & Hastac @ CUNY	New York, NY
Deputy Director (Administrative Officer) - Futures Initiative & HASTAC @ CUNY	New York, NY
Become an Environment America Fellow	United States
Customer Service Accounting Supervisor	Appleton, WI

See all 16 job postings

Better Government Association - The Better Government Association, a Chicago, IL based non-profit that “works for integrity, transparency, and accountability in government."

See the complete Better Government Association profile

Job Title	Location
Business Development/Sales Lead	Arlington, VA
Business Reporter	Indianapolis, IN
Sr. Director Medical/Provider Advocacy & Health Policy Job	Summit, NJ
EHS Disability Management Specialist 3\4	Portland, OR
High Assurance Enclave Anaylst 3	Mesa, AZ

See all 279 job postings

Inter-American Dialogue - Inter-American Dialogue is a DC based "leading U.S. center for policy analysis, exchange, and communication on issues in Western Hemisphere affairs.”

See the complete Inter-American Dialogue profile

Job Title	Location
IFD/ICS-HQ-Technical Support to Broadband Special Program-DTC	Washington, DC

See all 0 job postings

National Immigration Forum - The National Immigration Forum is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that “advocates for the value of immigrants and immigration to our nation.”

See the complete National Immigration Forum profile

Job Title	Location
Head of Lending/Consumer Compliance - Executive Level	New York, NY
Director, Global Market Access Excellence	Summit, NJ
Senior Consultant - Life Sciences Professional Services	Philadelphia, PA
Senior Account Executive & Team Lead, K12-Education Technology-EAST	Arlington, VA
Associate Partner Retail: Multi Channel, eCommerce, Order Management	United States

See all 50 job postings

Smart Growth America - Smart Growth America is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that believes “smart growth solutions support thriving businesses and jobs."

See the complete Smart Growth America profile

Job Title	Location
Life Sciences US Consultant- Portuguese/Spanish Skills Required	Cambridge, MA
New Business Sales Rep	Jacksonville, FL
Line Service Technician	West Trenton, NJ
Sales Associate	Montvale, NJ
Kilimanjaro Sales Consultant (Entry Level)	Watertown, MA

See all 918 job postings

Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress - The Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress is a DC based nonpartisan non-profit "that systematically examines past successes and failures of the Presidency."

See the complete Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress profile

No current job openings.

NORC at the University of Chicago - NORC at the University of Chicago is a non-profit organization that aims to “to conduct high-quality social science research in the public interest.”

See the complete NORC at the University of Chicago profile

Job Title	Location
Research Scientist	Bethesda, MD
Graduate Research Assistant	Chicago, IL
Research Scientist	Bethesda, MD
Graduate Research Assistant	Chicago, IL
Research Assistant	Chicago, IL

See all 87 job postings

Fantasy Politics - Fantasy Politics is based in Boston, MA and offers “a fun opportunity for you to build a team of national politicians and pundits and get points from their real life actions.”

See the complete Fantasy Politics profile

Job Title	Location
VP of Marketing	Boston, MA

See all 1 job postings

Public Knowledge - Public Knowledge is a Washington, DC based non-profit that “preserves the openness of the Internet and the public’s access to knowledge."

See the complete Public Knowledge profile

Job Title	Location
Grant Coordinator	Casper, WY
Marketing Intern	Baltimore, MD
Music Therapist	Sheldon, IA
Traffic Engineer	Lenexa, KS
Inspections Leader, Broker Dealer-Atlanta	Atlanta, GA

See all 109,848 job postings

Center for The National Interest - The Center for The National Interest is based in Washington, DC and was originally founded by former President Nixon as the Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom

See the complete Center for The National Interest profile

Job Title	Location
Grant Coordinator	Casper, WY
Marketing Intern	Baltimore, MD
Music Therapist	Sheldon, IA
Traffic Engineer	Lenexa, KS
Inspections Leader, Broker Dealer-Atlanta	Atlanta, GA

See all 109,848 job postings

The Can Kicks Back - The Can Kicks Back is a DC based non-profit that is organizing millennials to push for financial reform and debt reduction.

See the complete The Can Kicks Back profile

Job Title	Location
Sr. Account Executive	New York, NY
Front Desk Associate	Westlake, OH
Lead Campus Recruiting Specialist, MBA and Advanced Degree	Philadelphia, PA
Sr. iOS Developer	Los Angeles, CA
Services Consultant	Radnor, PA

See all 160 job postings

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress - The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress is a Washington, DC based non-profit that puts former members of Congress to work on important causes.

See the complete U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress profile

Job Title	Location
Attorney Advisor	Washington, DC
Assistant General Counsel	Washington, DC
Economist, ZP-0110-II	Washington, DC
Attorney Advisor	Washington, DC
Legislative Attorney	Washington, DC

See all 3 job postings

ONE - ONE is a Washington, DC based “grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease."

See the complete ONE profile

Job Title	Location
Exterior salesperson	Alexandria, VA
Stylist / Barbers	Pleasanton, CA
Mobile Architect - Washington DC	Fairfax, VA
Research Assistant Professor-Computational Biologist	Blacksburg, VA
Clinical Psychology	United States

See all 170,098 job postings

InterAction - InterAction, is a Washington, DC based non-profit that “seeks to shape important policy decisions on relief and long term development issues."

See the complete InterAction profile

Job Title	Location
Community Support Supervisor (Exp in Mental Health required)	Mexico, MO
Sr. User Experience Designers	San Jose, CA
Research Assistant Professor-Computational Biologist	Blacksburg, VA
Senior Associate, Digital Analytics	New York, NY
Talent Development & Training Specialist	San Francisco, CA

See all 130,108 job postings

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