Description:
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeks a passionate and creative advocate to join our team and help us secure our democracy and build a better Washington.Project 2025 set out a wildly unpopular vision to gut the federal government, tear down checks and balances and democratic protections, and push the bounds of presidential authority beyond long-recognized constitutional and legal limits. Rebuilding American democracy after this assault will require a comprehensive long-term plan. To respond to this need, CREW has launched a multi-year project to work with policy experts, academics, grassroots leaders, as well as local, state, and federal legislators to develop a blueprint to rebuild our democracy.
As a leading nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog committed to innovative policy work, CREW is dedicated to defending our democratic institutions, rooting out government corruption, building an ethical and accountable judiciary, and fighting the influence of money in politics through legal action and communications grounded by in-depth research. CREW is looking for a creative, results-driven colleague who is committed to our mission and cares deeply about protecting our democracy to assist this project. We welcome diverse skills and experiences.
Responsibilities:
The Policy Counsel/Policy Advisor will support the Director of Democracy Reform in our efforts to envision how we rebuild American democracy and will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Vice President for Policy, Director of Democracy Reform, and Policy Director. This position will report to the Director of Democracy Reform.
- Policy Research and Development: Support the Director of Democracy Reform to develop CREW's long-term policy agenda to reimagine and rebuild American democracy. Engage in legal and policy research on potential reforms and engage in analysis on how adoption of reforms will affect the American legal and political system. Support the creation of a blueprint that can be shared widely with concrete policy recommendations for how to reconceive and rebuild American democracy;
- Tracking: Implement and manage systems to track policy reform suggestions and stakeholders views on different reforms;
- Convening: Assist the Director of Democracy Reform in planning and holding a series of convenings with democracy experts, academics, and lawmakers to gain insights into potential democracy reforms and incorporate these insights into the project's policy recommendations. Help manage convening logistics.
- Writing and communications: Write reports, articles, and memos about American democracy and possible avenues of reform.
- Collaboration: Represent CREW with outside partners as part of the Project for Democratic Accountability's work. Coordinate with CREW's litigation, research, and communications teams as appropriate to ensure a consistent policy message.
Qualifications:
- J.D. (preferred).
- A minimum of 3 years policy experience in non-profit, executive branch, Capitol Hill, or comparable setting
- Familiarity with and interest in democracy reform and political corruption.
- Knowledge of or interest in domestic and international efforts to advance democracy reform and fight corruption.
- Experience working with academics and grassroots organizations and organizing convenings or similar events.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks.
- The ability to work collaboratively.
- Outstanding research and analytical skills.
- Great writing and communication skills.
- Initiative to identify needs, take charge of tasks, and get things done in an exciting, fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work effectively with outside partners.
- This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining.
- The position is based in Washington, D.C. with hybrid work options potentially available.
Compensation/Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $68,000-$98,000 based on experience and qualifications. CREW offers a compensation and benefits program that creates a supportive, respectful, sustainable environment that allows our employees to show up as their authentic selves and perform at their best. We're in this work for the long-haul, and that means investing in our most important asset: our staff. Our benefits include:
- Generous paid time off
- Platinum medical insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 55% of premium covered for dependents)
- Dental and vision insurance (99.9% of premium covered for employees and 55% of premium covered for dependents)
- 10 weeks paid family leave for non-birthing parent and 16 weeks paid family leave for birthing parent
- Family planning benefits that includes a $10k annual employer contribution with up to $30k over the term of your employment for employees AND their partners
- Option to enroll in FSA and dependent care FSA accounts with a $2,500 employer contribution to dependent care FSAs
- Option to enroll in commuter benefits with $50/month employer contribution
- Flexible, hybrid work environment
- Fully vested 401k with 3% employer contribution
- One week of organization-wide paid holiday closures between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, as well as major national holidays
- Employee assistance program
- Summer Fridays all year long
- Free in-office lunches weekly
- Free virtual yoga classes