Center for Policy Alternatives
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The Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is the nation's only nonpartisan nonprofit organization working to strengthen the capacity of state legislators to lead and achieve progressive change.
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Employment & Internships

Employment:

Internships:



Title: State Action Network Director

The Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a progressive organization that works to build a coordinated network of legislators across the states, providing them with policy tools, networking opportunities, and leadership development programs, is seeking a State Action Network Director. The successful candidate will direct CPA’s nationwide outreach to state legislators and participate as a senior manager of the organization. This person and her/his team are responsible for enlarging and enriching CPA’s network of state legislators. Qualifications include 5+ years experience dealing with politics and public policy at a senior level.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

  • Create and implement annual and quarterly plans to strengthen CPA’s network of state legislators.
  • Recruit, motivate and supervise the State Action Department staff day-to-day, ensuring that it identifies progressive legislators within each state, and actively recruits their participation in CPA events, programs and activities.
  • Organize and staff CPA’s State Action Advisory Committee (a committee of state legislators who provide advice on network building strategies).
  • Plan and manage meetings and conferences of state legislators, offering a wide variety of policy and skill-building workshops.
  • Develop and manage CPA’s Leadership Circles, helping legislators who work on similar issues share information and strategies from state to state.
  • Work closely with other CPA senior staff to enhance policy tools, leadership programs, and strategic direction for CPA.
  • Collaborate with CPA development staff to identify new funding sources and maintain relationships with existing funders.
  • Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with advocacy and other partnering organizations at the national, regional and state level.
  • Manage the budget for the State Action Department and implement administrative and financial procedures for the department.
Qualifications:
  • 5+ years experience dealing with politics and public policy at a senior level.
  • Ability to interact very effectively with elected officials.
  • A successful track record in promoting progressive policy, with some experience at the state level.
  • Strong planning, budgeting and strategic skills.
  • Ability to work independently, under pressure, in a fast-paced environment.
  • Commitment to progressive public policy.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Compensation:

This full-time position is available immediately. Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include a fully vested pension plan, health, dental, life and disability insurance.

How to Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter. No calls please!
When to Apply: Now-February 25, 2005
Where to Apply: Email, mail, or fax complete application to

State Action Network Director Search
Center for Policy Alternatives
1875 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20009
Fax: (202) 387-8529
[email protected]




Title: Social Justice / Fundraising Intern – Spring 2005
Openings: 1
Start Date: February-April 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Hours:A commitment of at least 20 hours/week is preferred.
Salary: Unpaid internship

Job Description
An intern is responsible for carrying out assignment integral to the work and activities of the Development Department. Primary assignments include researching potential supporters of social justice, drafting and proofreading reports and proposals to these supporters and organizing materials and information.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct social justice-based prospect research for the CPA’s fundraising activities.
  • Assist with all aspects of foundation stewardship, including providing timely proposals and reports, as well as other needed information to funders.
  • Maintain computer databases and paper files.
  • Prepare materials for meetings with funders.
  • Assist with general administrative duties as they arise.

Job Qualifications

  • Commitment to social justice.
  • Excellent research skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Detail oriented and self-directed.
  • Competence with Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Preferred familiarity with database maintenance.
  • Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
  • General administrative skills.

How to Apply: Submit a resume, cover letter and writing sample.
When to Apply: Now-February 25, 2005
Where to Apply: Email, mail, or fax complete application to
Chris Rutledge
Center for Policy Alternatives
1875 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 956-5151
Fax: (202) 387-8529
[email protected]




Title: Leadership Department Intern
Openings: 1
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Washington, DC
Hours:A commitment of at least 20 hours/week is preferred.
Salary: Unpaid internship

Job Description
The Flemming Leadership Institute and other CPA sponsored conferences (Summit on the States, Leadership Circles, Georgia Legislator Workforce Strategies Retreat) identify emerging leaders from the ranks of the nation’s state legislators and provides them with a unique program of values-based leadership training and sustaining support. These CPA programs help state legislators sharpen their understanding of their own values and how those values drive their decisions as elected leaders. They also provide an opportunity for legislators to step back from their daily challenges and gain new perspective into how they and their state governments can better serve people. CPA Leadership programs engage in experiential learning focused on the fundamentals of governing – leadership styles, decision making processes and consensus building techniques. The Intern is responsible for carrying out assignments integral to the program work and continuing development of CPA’s Leadership Development programs and conferences. Primary assignments include preparing resource materials; maintaining databases and files; organizing materials; and providing logistical support for meetings and conferences.

Responsibilities

  • Assist with planning the Flemming Leadership Institute retreat in June 2005. (e.g., travel, correspondence with the Fellows and printed retreat materials)
  • Maintain and update Flemming Alumni listserv, database and press files.
  • Assist with recruiting candidates for the Flemming 2006 class.
  • Assist with general administrative duties as they arise.

Job Qualifications

  • Excellent research skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Detail oriented, self-directed and resourceful.
  • Competence with Windows XP and familiarity with database maintenance.
  • Commitment to goals of the program.
  • Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
  • General administrative skills.
  • All majors are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply: Submit a resume, cover letter and writing sample
When to Apply: Immediately
Where to Apply: Email, mail, or fax complete application to
Quinta Martin
Center for Policy Alternatives
1875 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 956-5132
Fax: (202) 387-8529
[email protected]




Title: Policy & Communications Internship – Summer 2005
Openings: 1-2
Start Date: May 2005-August 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Hours:A commitment of at least 20 hours/week is preferred.
Salary: Unpaid internship

Job Description
The summer 2005 Policy & Communications Intern will support the Policy & Communications Departments by providing research, editorial and production assistance for the organization’s policy publications. The intern will also assist in work related to CPA’s events and outreach activities. The internship encompasses a combination of information collection, research, writing, and media tracking responsibilities. Administrative work related directly to these projects should be expected. In carrying out these duties, the intern will have the opportunity to work closely with, and learn from, department staff, learn more about issue organizing and strategic communications and contribute to the growth of an organization that is making real progressive change.

Job Qualifications

  • Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Writing & research skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical, organizational and general office skills
  • Undergraduate/graduate – political science, public policy, communications, journalism, and English majors strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Commitment to progressive public policy.
  • Familiarity with state policy issues and the legislative process also helpful.

How to Apply: Submit a resume and cover letter.
When to Apply: Now-March 1, 2005
Where to Apply: Email, mail, or fax complete application to
Sarada Peri
Center for Policy Alternatives
1875 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 956-5133
Fax: (202) 387-8529
[email protected]