Job Description
The Cato Institute seeks an associate to join its Government Affairs team. The State Government Affairs Associate will work with the Director of State Relations to establish the Cato Institute as a primary source for objective analysis and free-market policy options for state policymakers and their staffs. The associate will also coordinate joint efforts with state-based think tanks. This position will ideally allow someone to enter and develop a career in state government affairs.
This is a hybrid position in Washington, DC.
About Cato The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization - a think tank - dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.
Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato's Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution - individual liberty, limited government, and free markets - turn out to be even more powerful in today's world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people, it is the indispensable framework for the future.
Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Responsibilities - Monitor trends in state policy debates to determine the greatest opportunities for Cato research projects and scholars to have maximum impact.
- Assist with developing specific initiatives around select issues to proactively influence those debates.
- Support the Director of State Relations with administrative tasks, including scheduling, record-keeping, and travel.
- Track legislation and state relations efforts on targeted issues.
- Develop an understanding of Cato's policy approaches and strategies.
- Work independently on state-based policy engagements with legislative and executive-level staff
- Assist with coordination with the Cato Federal Affairs team.
- Meet regularly with research assistants to discuss the schedule for research projects.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Economics, History, or a similar field.
- 1 to 3 years of work or internship experience with state or local government, an association representing state legislators, or other state-level policy group; or equivalent experience at a national-level non-profit entity such as an association, think tank, or government agency.
- Working knowledge of libertarian philosophy and free market principles is required.
- Strategic, innovative, and creative outreach style.
- A passion for state and local government and its impacts on the lives of citizens.
- Ability to communicate complex concepts in concise written form.
- Must have strong writing and communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills, keen attention to detail, quality, and accuracy.
- Reliability, a strong work ethic, and a positive, professional mindset.
Benefits All Cato employees are provided with:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Generous vacation and sick days
- Paid parental leave
- Employer-provided life and disability insurance
- 401(k) employer match
- Transit/ Parking benefits
- Pet discount plan
Job Tags
Internship, Local area,