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

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
Developer, Ruby on Rails	Alexandria, VA
Coordinator, Advertising Operations	Alexandria, VA
Intern, Software Engineer - Data Platforms	Alexandria, VA
Intern, Data Science and Research	Alexandria, VA
Intern, Design	Alexandria, VA

See all 24 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
NGA Scholar Education Division (Paid Summer Internship)	Washington, DC
Regional Press Secretary (Southern States)	Atlanta, GA
Director, Government Relations	Washington, DC
President & CEO	Westminster, CO
Director, Government Relations	Washington, DC

See all 12 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
SFHN Administrator	Watertown, NY
Product Manager	Fairfax, VA
IT Sourcing Specialist	New York, NY
COST ANALYST - FINANCIAL PLANNING & DECISION SUPPORT (1.0FTE/DAYS	Palo Alto, CA
Chief Student Services Officer for the Online Education Initiative	Los Altos Hills, CA

See all 2,879 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
Manager, Systems Integration	Chicago, IL

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
Nutritional Health Coach	Logan, UT
Lead Systems Engineer	Washington, DC
13D Field Artillery Tactical Data System Specialist	Sandston, VA
Director, Presales	New York, NY
Trainer-Medicare and Insurance Products	Tampa, FL

See all 7,142 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	Washington, DC
Membership & Public Education Internship	New York, NY
2014 Legal Internship	Washington, DC
Online Campaigns Associate	Washington, DC
Membership Associate, Leadership Giving	New York, NY

See all 39 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
Senior Research and Evaluation Specialist	Seattle, WA

See all 1 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
GENERAL COUNSEL	Upper Marlboro, MD
Membership Associate	Washington, DC
Major Gifts Officer	New York, NY

See all 3 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
Organizational Development Leader - Phoenix, AZ	Phoenix, AZ
Librarian III	Los Angeles, CA
Senior Transportation Engineer	Brighton, CO
Transport Supervisor - Rosharon	Rosharon, TX

See all 2 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
Sr. Client Account Manager	Colorado
Research Scientist, Escience Institute	Seattle, WA
Research Coordinator	New York, NY
Director of Instructional Design	New York, NY

See all 1,286 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
Inpatient Services RN Folsom CA	Alameda, CA
Inpatient Services \ Acute Dialysis RN	Norristown, PA
Journeyman Mechanic/Technician- 5 Yr. exp. required	Portland, OR
Administrator, Cardiac Center, Master's Req, Days (Administrator, MHA, MBA)	Wilmington, DE
INTERN - Diesel Technician	Reno, NV

See all 900 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
Financial Analyst	Washington, DC
Accounting Clerk	Washington, DC
Digital Projects Specialist	Washington, DC
Director of Accounting Operations	Washington, DC
Executive Director-ACLU of Alaska and Foundation	Alaska

See all 5 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
Research Scientist	Saint Petersburg, FL
Research Scientist	Saint Petersburg, FL
RESEARCH SCIENTIST	Pinellas County, FL
Ops Administrative Assistant I	Saint Petersburg, FL
OPS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I	Saint Petersburg, FL

See all 19 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
Physical Therapist Assistant	California
FBR FT/PT Licensed Outpatient Therapist - Johnstown, PA Clinic	Johnstown, PA
FBR Licensed Outpatient Therapist - Indiana, PA Clinic	Indiana, PA
Plant Manager - Corsicana	Corsicana, TX
CRNA - Full time	Portsmouth, VA

See all 1,011 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
CPA - Entrepreneur	Frederick, MD
Senior Finance Manager	Anchorage, AK
Recreation Aid/Recreation Assistant (River)	Mariposa, CA
Recreation Aid/Recreation Assistant	Arcata, CA
Mid level Cyber Analyst/Network Security Analyst-Threat Intrusion Detection	Winchester, VA

See all 216 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
Student Conduct Specialist	Newark, NJ
Receptionist	Nashville, TN
SVP, Mobile Communications Lab - B2B (107358)	California
Receptionist	Nashville, TN
Cloud Software Engineer Intern	California

See all 21 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
Traillink GIS Technicia	Washington, DC
Development/Fund Raising	Washington, DC
TrailLink.com Photography	Washington, DC
Transportation Policy	Washington, DC

See all 8 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
RN Case Manager - Full Time	Camp Pendleton, CA
NP/PA - Oncology (Tunnell Cancer Center) (FT)	Lewes, DE
Group Life Coordinator 2 (Line Staff)	Bend, OR
Benefits Consultant	Sioux Falls, SD
Registered Nurse, Medical/Surgical/Telemetry Inpatient Unit (3 Full-Time Positions)	Chicago, IL

See all 461 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
Internship - Summer Fellow	New York, NY
Internship - Summer Fellow	New York, NY
Entry Level Police Officer	Lakewood, WA
Fellowship Program	United States
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW	Iowa City, IA

See all 48 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
Mortgage Loan Officer	Auburn Hills, MI
Full Motion Video Analyst 3	St. Louis, MO
Geospatial Analyst 3\4	St. Louis, MO
Legislative and Policy Analyst	Salem, OR
Quality Assurance Compliance Officer	Allentown, PA

See all 301 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
INE/INE. Research Fellow	Washington, DC
SCL/EDU Education Specialist	Washington, DC
Director, Communications Unit	Washington, DC
Housing & Urban Development Lead Specialist	Washington, DC
Fiscal & Municipal Management Principal Specialist/Lead Specialist	Washington, DC

See all 8 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
Payments Policy Officer - Risk	New York, NY
Vice President, Worldwide Research & Development Communications	New York, NY
Pricing Director, Securities - Markets	New York, NY
Immigration Internship	Silver Spring, MD
Citizenship and Immigration Intern	New York, NY

See all 58 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
Communications Consultant	Springfield, MA
Product Design Engineer - Motors	Fairview, TN
Vice President of North American Sales	New York, NY
Sales Representative	San Diego, CA
Technical Program Manager	Redwood City, CA

See all 990 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 Assistant	Bethesda, MD
Research Assistant	Bethesda, MD
Research Analyst	Bethesda, MD
Research Analyst	Bethesda, MD
Administrative Assistant	Bethesda, MD

See all 59 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

No current job openings.

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
Public Health Nurse	Grandview, WA
Public Health Nurse Supervisor-CHS	Grandview, WA
Safety Coordinator	Hospers, IA
Web Master	Durango, CO
AUDITOR	Honolulu, HI

See all 105,294 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
Social Worker - Case Manager New!	Dayton, OH
Occupational Therapy Assistant	Silver Spring, MD
Sales Technician	Fremont, CA
Social Worker - Case Manager	Akron, OH
RN- Lactation Consultant	Coon Rapids, MN

See all 8,874 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
Project Manager	Boise, ID
Insurance Consultant	Opelika, AL
Interactive Designer, Tech-Forward Financial Services Company	New York, NY
Parts Sales Associate	Lafayette, IN
Loyalty Marketing Analyst I, II, III	Pleasanton, CA

See all 187 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
Supervisory Medical Officer	Rockville, MD
Deputy Director, Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics & Training	Washington, DC

See all 2 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
Public Health Nurse	Grandview, WA
Public Health Nurse Supervisor-CHS	Grandview, WA
Intern - Marketing	Bannockburn, IL
Managers and Stylist	Madison, WI
19D Cavalry Scout	Glen Jean, WV

See all 197,702 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
Investment Officer	Goshen, IN
Corporate Registered Principal II - Communications	Troy, MI
Business Analyst - Mobile Applications	Middleton, WI
Resource Forester	Headquarters, ID
UI/UX Designer	Scottsdale, AZ

See all 127,448 job postings

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation - If you love the sporting life and its intersection with politics, you should consider a job with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in Washington, DC.

See the complete Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation profile

No current job openings.

International Food Policy Research Institute - International Food Policy Research Institute is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to end hunger and poverty, and they're hiring.

See the complete International Food Policy Research Institute profile

Job Title	Location
Institute for Health Policy Grad Internship	Oakland, CA
Internship - Alliance for Artisan Enterprise	Washington, DC
Internship - Human Resources Intern	Washington, DC
Clinical Research Associate II 603959 (NCI) Job	Frederick, MD
Clinical Research Associate II 603564 (NCI) Job	Frederick, MD

See all 64 job postings

50CAN - Great Schools Can Change Everything. That's what 50CAN believes, and that's why they're hiring people to help them advocate for education reform.

See the complete 50CAN profile

Job Title	Location
Operations Manager	New York, NY
Operations Manager	Washington, DC

See all 2 job postings

Constitutional Rights Foundation - Constitutional Rights Foundation is an LA based non-profit that helps educate youth about civic participation and democracy, and they're hiring.

See the complete Constitutional Rights Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
2014 Summer Internship	United States
Summer 2014 Undergraduate Internship-ACLUF Racial Justice Program	New York, NY
Summer 2014 Internships/Externships-ACLU of Idaho	Idaho
Summer 2014 Undergraduate Internship	United States
2014 Summer Legal Internship	United States

See all 26 job postings

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation - The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation works with NOAA to protect and support the U.S. national marine sanctuaries, and they're hiring.

See the complete National Marine Sanctuary Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Associate, Global Penguin Conservation Campaign	Washington, DC
Senior Associate, Ending Illegal Fishing Project	Washington, DC
Economist	Silver Spring, MD
President and Chief Executive Officer	Washington, DC

See all 4 job postings

League of Conservation Voters - The League of Conservation Voters is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that “works to turn environmental values into national priorities.”

See the complete League of Conservation Voters profile

Job Title	Location
Recruiting Coordinator Eastern Massachusetts	Cambridge, MA
Call Center Agent	Columbia, MO
Donor Relations / Customer Service	Worcester, MA
Legislative Coordinator	Virginia
Research and List Management Coordinator	Washington, DC

See all 74 job postings

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