Full-Time Policy Analyst/Policy Counsel
Job Description
New America’s Open Technology Institute (OTI) seeks a dynamic policy analyst or legal counsel to help develop and promote innovative policy initiatives that focus on broadband access and adoption, net neutrality, and wireless spectrum issues. This position includes research and analysis to support these policy initiatives, participation in coalitions, and advocacy at the Federal Communications Commission and other government entities.
OTI works at the intersection of technology and policy to ensure that every community has equitable access to digital technology and its benefits. In addition to the aforementioned policy areas, OTI also works on surveillance, platform accountability, competition policy, data transparency, freedom of expression online, and more. OTI’s staff includes a diverse team of policy analysts, legal experts, technologists, and associates. OTI is housed within New America, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States.
Whether you’re an Analyst or Counsel, you’ll participate in the development of OTI’s positions and strategies in current debates around access, affordability and adoption of the internet at a time when internet access has proven to be a bedrock utility. You’ll report to an OTI Senior Policy Counsel and work alongside an enthusiastic team of other lawyers, policy analysts, associates, and technologists who are based in OTI’s Washington, DC office.
On an average day in this position, you can expect to participate in and lead coalition meetings fighting to restore net neutrality and protect civil rights; draft FCC comments on a wide variety of broadband access, spectrum, and competition policy issues; or help produce public events, webinars, or blog posts to amplify OTI’s work to help close the digital divide and ensure everyone has equitable access to the internet.
Responsibilities
- Assisting the Policy Director and project staff in identifying priorities and projects related to open internet issues like net neutrality, broadband access and adoption, and wireless spectrum, and developing advocacy and communication strategies;
- Writing policy papers, blog posts, op-eds and other articles, press releases, testimony, agency comments, and legal briefs and memoranda;
- Conducting in-depth legal, policy and legislative research and analysis and developing policy recommendations;
- Representing OTI’s views before policymakers, members of Congress and their staff, press, and at policy events, roundtables, and conferences;
- Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with other advocates, academics, technologists, companies and communities;
- Working with OTI technologists to develop innovative strategies at the intersection of policy, technology development, and community engagement; and
- Providing event and meeting support: hosting meetings, setting up events, and supporting the events and communications teams in organizing events and conferences OTI hosts.
Qualifications
This position is designed for an analyst or lawyer with demonstrated experience in tech policy.
Technological disruption, online discrimination, and the digital divide disproportionately affect the most historically marginalized communities in society, including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with a disability. OTI is committed to centering the needs of these communities in our work, and we strongly encourage applications from people with a diverse array of backgrounds to support this mission.
Required qualifications:
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience;
- For Policy Counsel applicants, a law degree is required;
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills and demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills;
- Knowledge of and experience with at least one of the following issues: broadband access and adoption (particularly impacts on historically marginalized communities); net neutrality; spectrum policy; ISP competition, and broadband mapping;
- Experience working, or an enthusiastic willingness to learn how to work with stakeholders, public interest groups, and policymakers to advocate for these issues;
- Familiarity with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC);
- A basic technical understanding of modern communications networks and technologies;
- A self-starter with an ability to multitask and maintain momentum in a fast-moving environment; and
- Demonstrated interest or dedication to fostering equitable outcomes across society and especially for lower income communities, communities of color, and other historically marginalized constituencies. This can be in either your personal or professional life.
Not Required, But a Plus if You Have:
- Familiarity with relevant federal, local, and international policy institutions, including experience working in or with Congress, or other federal agencies;
- Experience working with technologists and an ability to translate technical concepts into language that is accessible to policymakers and others who may lack technical expertise;
- Demonstrated experience with public speaking and communicating with the media;
- Demonstrated experience analyzing statutes and proposed legislation; and
- Existing relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, the press, advocates, and tech companies, and experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders and organizations.
In normal non-pandemic times, this position may require occasional travel, i.e. approximately 1-2 trips per year for conferences and professional events, usually lasting 1-3 days, and frequently includes walking as part of work and stakeholder engagement meetings.
At the time of this posting, all New America staff are working remotely, and New America is continuing to evaluate when, and under what circumstances, staff will return to working in the Washington, DC office. We anticipate that will change as circumstances dictate.
How to Apply
How to apply: Use the "How to apply" link above to submit a resume, cover letter, and at least one but ideally two writing samples as attachments (one as a more formal analytical piece, no longer than 10 pages, and one that is accessible for a general public audience of under 1,500 words). Please be sure to include in your cover letter where you first heard about this posting. Minimum salary for a Policy Analyst starts at $61,000 and for a Policy Counsel at $71,000. New America offers an excellent benefits package that includes health care and dental coverage, a retirement plan with generous match, paid vacation, sick days, and parental leave. New America is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our mission, our employees, and our communities. We value and encourage the contributions of our employees and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.407 total views, 0 today