The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) seeks a Research Assistant to work with CLASP’s Legislative Affairs Director. Founded 50 years ago in Washington, D.C., CLASP is a national, nonpartisan, anti-poverty 501(c)3 non – profit organization advancing policy solutions that work for people with low incomes. Our mission is to advocate for public policies and programs at the federal, state, and local levels that reduce poverty, enhance stability, and create ladders to economic security for all. Our solutions directly address the barriers that individuals and families face because of race, ethnicity, low income, and immigration status.

Within our broad anti-poverty mission, CLASP is organized around six policy teams: Child Care and Early Education, Youth Policy, Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development, Income and Work Supports, Immigration and Immigrant Families, and Job Quality. Over the past several years, we have integrated our work more extensively across teams, providing depth on crosscutting issues such as criminal justice reform and mental health.

CLASP’s Legislative Affairs team engages federal policymakers and their staffs on behalf of all of CLASP’s policy teams. The Legislative Affairs team works across the organization to identify federal priorities and opportunities; helps prepare resources, talking points, and testimony, tracks; monitors internal legislative activity; manages lobbying compliance requirements; and creates the overall legislative strategy for the organization. In addition to support for the Legislative Affairs team, the Research Assistant will provide support to CLASP’s broader policy and advocacy agenda working with CLASP’s Deputy Executive Director for Policy and policy teams, as needed.  

Requirements

Specific responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Synthesizing research for internal use;
• Monitoring legislative and political news; 
• Working with the policy teams to develop and implement outreach strategies;
• Identifying and developing opportunities for legislative action, sign-on letters, press statements, and other Congressional engagement;
• In conjunction with the Legislative Affairs Director, creating and managing the processes and communications for Hill meetings, including agenda development, meeting facilitation, and organizing legislative communications with the staffers; 
• Attending Capitol Hill meetings, following up with staffers, and building relationships with key offices;
• Representing CLASP at various coalitions, events, hearings, and briefings;
• Assisting the Communications team in developing resources for Capitol Hill including fact sheets, e-blasts, CLASP quotes for press releases from Members of Congress, and social media posts; 
• Supporting staff members in their preparation for testifying/presenting at Congressional committees and Hill briefings;
• Providing support to policy teams in hosting and partnering on Hill briefings; 
• Assisting policy teams in gathering federal, state, and local policy information and conducting web-based research; 
• Writing short commentaries and blogs, with a focus on summarizing research and policy information so it is understandable to a broad audience; and
• Assisting in production of CLASP reports and presentations.

Duties will also include spending a portion of time on substantive organization-wide support including, but not limited to:

• Preparing for and taking notes at special events, hearings, and external and internal meetings;
• Providing direct support for the Legislative Affairs Director and Deputy Executive Director for Policy; 
• Assisting in developing social media content; 
• Coordinating schedules for meetings, calls, and events;
• Tracking lobbying hours for federal disclosure; and
• Communicating with external groups about CLASP’s work.

Candidates for this position must have strong research, analytical, communication, and writing/editing skills. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to work on multiple detail-oriented tasks, often on a time-sensitive basis. Candidates must be able to work independently and as part of a team. CLASP will consider applicants with a bachelor’s degree and demonstrated commitment to improving the circumstances of people with low incomes, immigrants, and communities of color. Position requires attention to detail, prioritizing multiple tasks, meeting tight deadlines, and the ability to demonstrate professionalism and discretion at all times. Ideal candidates are recent college graduates with 1-2 years’ experience working, volunteering, or interning for a federal, state, or local elected official and/or campaign.

Salary 

Salary is commensurate with experience; excellent benefits, including two health insurance options, life and long-term disability insurance, a 403(b) retirement program, flexible spending accounts, and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot respond to every applicant. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

The Center for Law and Social Policy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

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