Researcher

Washington, DC
Full Time
Congress Watch
Experienced
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION: The Researcher will develop and implement investigative research projects. The work will include collaborating with advocates and the Research Director and writing reports in support of Congress Watch’s public education and advocacy campaigns.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Investigate policy issues, individuals, corporations, political fundraising and lobbying issues by using traditional investigative methods such as data analysis and FOIA requests.
  • Conceive and produce written materials in collaboration with the Congress Watch Research Director and other team members, including reports, editorial board memos, op-eds, fact sheets, and blog posts.
  • Clearly articulate investigative findings and Public Citizen policy positions in radio interviews, TV interviews, podcasts, and in print interviews.
  • Prepare in-depth presentations and publicly present the findings to congressional staff, the press, our staff, and the public.
  • Create data visualizations to present complex findings to various stakeholders, including for use as social media shareable graphics.
  • Display the ability to work on and understand different and complex issues from one week to the next. This work will include some amount of research support to other Public Citizen divisions as well.
  • Maintain familiarity with a range of current policy issues, debates, and proposals, primarily in the areas of money-in-politics, financial reform, regulations, workplace safety, healthcare, privacy, antitrust, product safety and access to justice. (Researcher may specialize in one or more areas.)
  • Other duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS: Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of research experience preferred. Outstanding analytical thinking and oral and written communication skills. Strong sense of how to use research to affect public policy debates and how it fits into public interest advocacy campaigns. Creative and collaborative spirit. High energy, enthusiasm, persistence, and attention to detail. Ability to work independently and balance multiple priorities under pressure to produce compelling and factually correct material in a deadline-driven advocacy environment. Experience doing research and writing as an investigative reporter, opposition researcher, or for legislative or electoral campaigns. Ability to utilize large data sets. Knowledge of public records, especially regarding campaign finance and lobbying.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Competitive salary and generous benefit package. Below is a list of some of our benefits (please note that some benefits have eligibility requirements).
Salary range: $56,477-$94,384
Benefits include:
  • Great medical and dental coverage, 100% paid by PC, including full coverage for children
  • Three weeks of paid vacation for new employees, plus five personal days
  • 401K plan with a 5% contribution from PC after one year of employment
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
  • Sabbatical after 10 years of employment
  • Student loan reimbursement program
TO APPLY: Send cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample to Mike Tanglis at [email protected]. Please include your last name and the position for which you are applying in the subject line of your email and in the file names of attachments.

 
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