State Policy Fellow

California Budget & Policy Center•Sacramento, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The State Policy Fellow will be a full-time member of the Budget Center’s policy team, with a primary focus on tax policy and the need for revenues to support investments in vital public supports, including health care, child care, housing, and economic security. The State Policy Fellow will contribute to analyzing the impact of state budget and tax policy choices on Californians with low-incomes and communities of color as well as analyses exploring positive reforms. The State Policy Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity to develop in-depth policy expertise. Fellowship responsibilities include tracking and analyzing state budget and legislative proposals as well as conducting research and analysis on state budget, tax, and other issues to improve the lives of families from all backgrounds. Fellows will also produce reports, fact sheets, and other materials for use by policymakers, journalists, advocacy groups, and other community organizations. The State Policy Fellow will also collaborate with community-based advocates to provide public education on the state budget and priority issue areas. Additionally, Fellows will participate in coordinated trainings and career development opportunities, work with mentors, and have access to a network of current and former fellows as well as ongoing opportunities for professional growth.

Requirements

Strong demonstrated commitment to racial, gender, and economic equity, and to advancing policies that improve outcomes for historically marginalized communities.
Experience or demonstrated interest in public policy research or analysis, particularly related to state budgets and tax policy.
Strong analytical skills, including comfort working with numbers and spreadsheets.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex policy issues to non-technical audiences.
Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively.
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree must have at least two years of relevant experience in policy, research, or a related field (time spent in a relevant master’s program may count toward this experience).
A two-year commitment, and the ability and willingness to relocate to Sacramento, CA.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with administrative datasets and Stata statistical software is a plus.
Candidates with a master’s degree in public policy, economics, or a related field are encouraged to apply; prior relevant experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Develop and deepen subject-matter expertise in California budget and tax policy.
Conduct policy and budget analysis to inform state-level debates, including analysis of the Governor’s Budget, May Revision, and enacted budget.
Use quantitative and qualitative data to conduct rigorous and timely analyses, with attention to equity outcomes.
Monitor state policy developments and identify emerging issues and opportunities related to tax policy and other issues.
Support policy strategy development by participating in and contributing to team conversations on the policy landscape and Budget Center priorities.
Build familiarity with the Budget Center’s advocacy strategies and policy-change pathways.
Translate complex policy and budget issues into clear, accessible written materials, presentations, and data visualizations.
Participate in public education efforts, which may include public speaking, legislative testimony, media briefings, or interviews.
Provide technical assistance to advocates, policymakers, journalists, and coalition partners.
Work collaboratively with colleagues to review and strengthen policy analyses for accuracy, clarity, and accessibility.
Contribute to cross-team initiatives, including organizational strategic planning and the Budget Center’s annual policy conference.
Participate in internal equity-focused efforts and professional development activities.

Benefits

Excellent health insurance and dental and vision coverage (100% coverage of premiums for the employee; 90% coverage of premiums for dependents)
Retirement benefits include a 403b plan and an annual SEP-IRA retirement contribution of at least 5% of salary (most recently set at 10% of salary); participation in the 403b plan is not required to receive an employer retirement contribution.
12 vacation days
12 sick days
11 holidays
4 personal days
Yearly evaluation of additional time off benefits during summer (half-day Fridays) and winter (late December office closure)
Flexible work arrangements that support alternative schedules and both in-person and remote work.
16 weeks of family leave for parents or caregivers.
FSAs for health, childcare, and transportation costs
Annual stipends to cover home office, transportation, and well-being expenses
Annual allocations for professional development.