Fellow (50401)

JOB TITLE: Fellow

PROGRAM: State Policy Research

LOCATION: Denver, CO -Hybrid

SALARY: $102,886 annually

STATUS: Full-time

ABOUT NCSL:

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL's mission is purposeful - strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation's most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four consecutive days every six (6) weeks. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office for four days every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

NCSL seeks a fellow with exceptional knowledge and experience in state-level policy related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and privacy, and other technology issues. The fellow is a national policy expert and part of NCSL's State Policy Research Division (SPR). SPR is NCSL's nonpartisan research and policy analysis arm and supports state legislatures across all 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia by providing objective research, technical assistance, and opportunities for learning and collaboration on a wide range of public policy issues.

The fellow independently conceives and conducts a broad research agenda of substantial importance and impact on state policymakers. Fellows are sought out by other nationally recognized experts, policymakers and media representatives for policy consultations and technical assistance. The fellow will also collaborate with colleagues across NCSL on technology's intersection with other policy topics and contributes to a range of related tasks and projects. This position has regular contact with state legislators, legislative staff, funders and other officials and stakeholders outside of NCSL.

The ideal candidate will be a nationally recognized subject matter expert on technology policy, including AI, cybersecurity, and data privacy and governance, and emerging technology issues. In addition, the fellow will possess substantial knowledge of state legislative processes and the ability to provide detailed technical assistance. Successful candidates bring natural curiosity, initiative and flexibility, and excellent communication skills. The position is non-partisan and non-advocacy, and the ideal candidate possesses a belief in NCSL's mission and the ability to remain neutral on politically charged topics. This position will report to the director of the Center for Results Driven-Governing program and work with other policy staff on tasks or projects.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Independently designs and leads research projects and fulfills a broad research agenda of substantial importance to and impact on state policymakers.
• Maintains subject matter expertise on multiple policy issues on technology and related topics and assists legislators and legislative staff with nonpartisan research needs both proactively and reactively.
• Provides complex policy and technical advice and consultation to state legislatures.
• Establishes productive relationships with the policy and academic research communities and ensures the state perspective is represented and understood.
• Positions NCSL as a trusted resource among public officials, national experts, foundation executives and national media representatives.
• Creates substantive, engaging and interactive nonpartisan presentations and educational sessions for legislators, legislative staff and others.
• Anticipates emerging issues of importance to state legislatures and responds by assisting with leading the program's research and analysis. Also helps to create a plan to disseminate that work, through means such as technical assistance, webinars, meetings, webpages, reports, and others.
• Writes skillfully and with minimal need for editing.
• Influences the research agenda of other organizations to incorporate the state perspective in policy development and analysis.
• Coordinates, manages and facilitates the work of an NCSL standing committee and task force and maintains effective relations with key legislators, legislative staff and other stakeholders as needed.
• May participate in ongoing communication with funders as a content expert and in coordination with directors.
• May assist in identifying new funding sources, as relevant. May initiate proposal research and writing in coordination with directors.
• Travels domestically for meetings, technical assistance and other activities as needed.
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:

• This position does not have program or staff management responsibilities, however a fellow may supervise interns at the discretion of the director.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT: This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office for four days every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plusseven years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field and a record of policy research and publications.

• Advanced degree in a related field of work preferred.

• Mastery of the major policy fields within the program and intergovernmental policy processes.

• Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills and the ability to clearly and credibly communicate with a variety of audiences.

• Effective at working both collaboratively and independently.

• Proficiency building and maintaining relationships with legislators, legislative staff and an establishednationalnetwork of professional contacts in policy arena.

• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.

• Competence in a wide range of policy and legislative analysis skills, including experience translating scientific research, analyzing policy data, writing publications and presenting policy overviews or summaries. Strong organizational skills, including the ability toplan meetings andmanage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.

• Exceptional knowledge of state legislative and political processesand the separation of power between the branches of government.

• Critically reviews own work and independently initiates improvements or refinements.

• Ability to travel by air up to 10 times per year, with most trips being 1-3 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel.

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:

NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days every six (6) weeks. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development. We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:

If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get - submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, April 3, 2026 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/ncsl-careers.aspx. We are looking forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.