Social Policy Fellow, Social Policy, Education, & Politics Program (2026-2027)

Third Way•Washington, DC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Third Way’s Social Policy, Education & Politics Program is seeking a Social Policy fellow to join our team and find ways to make progress on often divisive social issues like immigration, crime, LGBT equality, abortion, and guns. The fellow will report to the Director of Social Policy. The Third Way Fellows Program is a full-time, 12-month program that comes with a $60,000 annual stipend, two weeks of paid vacation, comprehensive health care and benefits, and five paid Career Development Days dedicated to job searching, networking, and interviews. The program also offers the opportunity to meet with top Washington policy leaders; co-author papers and collaborate with our policy teams to produce new ideas, research, and insights; and learn Third Way’s methodology. Third Way places a strong emphasis on supporting fellows as they take the next step in their careers. Fellows gain access to a robust alumni network for mentorship and connections, along with regular check-ins and guidance from Learning & Organizational Development (LOD) staff. The program is designed to help fellows leverage Third Way’s wide-ranging D.C. network into meaningful future career opportunities.

Requirements

A graduate degree (Master’s, J.D., or other)
Experience in public policy, including internships and coursework
Fellows must be able to explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to the general public while engaging and exciting the audience.
An interest in center-left politics and commitment to Third Way’s mission;
An advanced degree (master’s or law) in a related field;
The ability to take initiative on individual projects, but willingness to work collaboratively on a team;
Strong research and technical skills, with a talent for knowing and telling the story a dataset demands;
Knowledge of or familiarity with relevant policy issues, particularly immigration and/or crime;
Knowledge of the legislative process and the ability to explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to policymakers;
Diplomacy and discretion when dealing with external groups.
A willingness to work collaboratively on a team while taking the initiative on individual projects, an aptitude to multi-task on various assignments in distinct issue areas, and a penchant for solving problems creatively and thinking outside the box are integral to the job.
Fellows must have a deep commitment to Third Way’s mission of representing Americans in the “vital center.”
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Conducting in-depth research and quantitative analysis of a variety of sources, including online databases, media, and reports from the government, NGOs, and academia;
Producing high-impact written products by distilling complex issues, often under tight deadlines, into succinct and accessible formats, including policy briefings, memos, and presentations;
Organizing and participating in high-level external meetings, briefings on Capitol Hill, professional networking events, and other activities to promote Third Way policies and approaches;
Sharing our research and policy ideas with Hill staff, advocates, think tanks, and academics both through individual and coalition meetings and in other events around D.C.; and,
Supporting other members of the team with research and minor administrative tasks as needed.