Associate Fellow

OVERVIEW

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is hiring an Associate Fellow to support FGA's Senior Fellows in advancing winning policy reforms in states across the country. In this role, you’ll draft and review legislation, write policy memos and public comments, and deliver testimony before lawmakers.

This is a role for a curious, team-first person who wants to be in the room where policy gets made. You'll work alongside FGA's Senior Fellows on live legislation, travel to states to brief and testify, and build the expertise to become their trusted backup. The pace is fast and the reforms you help shape become law.

The ideal candidate brings 2–4 years in public policy, legislative work, or related political roles, with a track record of analyzing reforms and explaining them clearly in writing and out loud. This role reports to FGA's Policy Director and works closely with Senior Fellows across every issue area.

CULTURE AND FIT

The people who consistently succeed at FGA are those whose actions and behavior reflect our five Core Values. If you adhere to these values and answer "yes" to each of the following questions, you may be a fit.

1) Candid to Solve: Being willing to have tough conversations in order to solve issues and build trust.

• Do you seek out constructive feedback—and provide it to others—to solve issues and build trust with coworkers?

2) Grow or Die: We don't have a neutral gear; we must consistently challenge ourselves and each other to grow in our talents and skills.

• Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and do you seek out complementary skills and growth in order to mitigate your weaknesses?

3) Politically Savvy: Policy doesn't change in a vacuum, but in a political reality that we must understand and account for.

• Do you agree that embracing the realities of politics is necessary to change public policy?

4) Partnership-Oriented: Internal and external relationships are not transactional. That starts with our team members and the perspective that we need the rest of the team to succeed in order to win personally.

• Are you comfortable creating your own structure for work, such as setting work hours, your own priorities, and creating clarity and a work plan from a broad goal?

5) Bought in to Win: We're at FGA because we want to change policy. No one is counting hours or widgets. We are here to get results, and sometimes, that will require going the extra mile or doing a job that isn't technically ours.

• Do you fully support FGA's mission and believe that lives are improved through work, not welfare, and that free markets create more freedom and opportunity than government control?

Most people who don't get hired—or don't last—at FGA come up short on these values, not on the job itself. Be prepared to have very candid conversations about them in our interview process.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As an Associate Fellow, you will have three primary areas of responsibility:

1) Draft and Review Legislation

• Grow into a capable backup for Senior Fellows on model and active legislation, developing the judgment to see what strengthens a bill and what weakens it.
• Draft, review, and mark up model and active legislation across FGA's policy reforms, turning around bill drafts and reviews on a weekly cadence.

2) Write and Develop Policy

• Develop and pitch new policy reform concepts to the Policy Director, and build toward issue-area expertise across FGA's reforms.
• Write policy memos, public comments, op-eds, and research products, both as a co-author with Senior Fellows and as primary author on your own pieces.

3) Deliver Testimony and Technical Assistance

• Travel to states to deliver legislative testimony and policy briefings, taking a leading role in presentations and supporting State Affairs in building lawmaker relationships.
• Provide internal and external policy technical assistance, including timely policy checks on FGA products as a backup for Senior Fellows.

REQUIREMENTS

🔹2–4 years of experience in public policy, legislative work, or related political roles.

🔹A legal background is preferred. A J.D. and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction are a plus, but not required.

🔹Open to remote candidates based anywhere in the U.S., with frequent travel to states for testimony and briefings.

🔹Demonstrated ability to analyze public policy and articulate complex concepts clearly, in writing and in person.

🔹Sharp attention to detail and the ability to stay organized and deliver quality work under pressure.

🔹Comfort using AI tools to speed up research, drafting, and policy analysis.

🔹Team-first and accountable. You own your work, and trust your teammates to own theirs.

🔹Match FGA’s Core Values (described above).

TIMING, LOCATION, AND COMPENSATION

FGA is seeking to fill this position as soon as possible. This role is remote and open to candidates based anywhere in the U.S. Expect frequent travel to states to deliver testimony, brief lawmakers, and support FGA's State Affairs team.

FGA’s headquarters are in Naples, FL, but nearly all of our staff work remotely from across the country. Our systems and culture are built for clarity, flexibility, and great communication. Key elements of our environment include:

• Quarterly in-person team meetings at which you'll build deeper relationships, set clear goals aligned with FGA's big vision, and brainstorm how to seize new opportunities
• An intensive 90-day orientation to familiarize you with the FGA team, our policies, and how we operate
• Home office setup, including equipment and communication tools you need to hit the ground running

FGA offers a competitive salary between $75,000–$90,000, depending on experience and qualifications, along with a benefits package that includes a six percent retirement match, health benefits, and generous paid leave.