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State Fiscal Policy Research Intern

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits working on public policy issues affecting low-income families and individuals. It has a national reputation for conducting rigorous research and analysis, developing policy ideas and strategies, shaping a broad array of policy debates at the federal and state levels, and influencing policy outcomes. It works on budget and tax policy, health care, and a range of other policies and programs important to low- and moderate-income people. The Center’s funding comes from private foundations and individuals.

The State Fiscal Policy (SFP) department at the Center conducts research and analysis of tax and budget developments in the states, with a particular focus on how they affect low-income people, and builds antiracist, equitable, and inclusive communities and economies. Areas of research include state budget and tax policies, taxes and state economies, anti-poverty programs and tax policies, criminal justice, higher education, K-12 education, and immigration. The team’s recent research work can be found here. SFP also coordinates and provides in-depth assistance to the State Priorities Partnership, a nationwide network of state-level policy organizations.

Interns are an integral part of the research team and work closely with CBPP’s state policy analysts. Intern tasks may include: tracking budget and tax developments in states, summarizing research on tax and budget issues, performing data analysis in Excel using government and other datasets, drafting policy memos and other research materials, and attending briefings and events on topics of interest. Interns will have the opportunity to take on a significant role in a research project that aligns with team goals.

Qualifications:

  • Experience in policy analysis, data analysis, or public finance. Previous work focusing on public policies that reduce poverty and build antiracist, equitable, and inclusive communities and economies is a plus.
  • Strong interest in CBPP’s mission and state fiscal policy in particular
  • Prior personal, professional, or community experience that demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Strong quantitative skills and experience working with Excel. Experience with Stata or R is a plus but not required.
  • Strong writing skills
  • Education: preference for recent graduates or graduate students with major/coursework in public policy, public administration, public health, political science, or economics

Successful interns will have a commitment to the Center’s mission to improve the well-being of low- and moderate-income people and advance racial equity as part of the Center’s work.

To expand the diversity of voices that speak with authority in federal and state policy debates, the Center’s internship program identifies highly motivated candidates — particularly candidates who have experience with communities that are underrepresented in policy debates — with a demonstrated interest in working on public policies that affect low-income or historically excluded communities and have implications for advancing racial equity.

International students are welcome to apply. The Center does not provide financial sponsorship for visas or work permits. You must have documentation of work authorization for the United States AND a U.S. Social Security number to be employed by the Center. (Please indicate that you are an international student on the application form.)

Application Deadline: October 1, 2021, 11:59 p.m. EST
Spring 2022 Internship Start Date: January 10, 2022
Internship End Date: Mid-May 2022

The spring 2022 internship will be remote. Intern work hours are generally expected to be during core Eastern time business hours.

Compensation:

  • Undergraduate students receive $15.20 per hour.
  • Students with a bachelor's degree receive $16.20 per hour.
  • Graduate students receive $17.20 per hour.
  • Students with a master’s or law degree receive $18.20 per hour.
  • Doctoral students may receive between $17.20 and $20.00 per hour, depending on progress toward completion of degree requirements, relevant coursework, and research.

Required application materials:

  • Cover letter (please include a discussion of what draws you to the mission of the Center and state fiscal policy in particular)
  • Résumé
  • Transcript(s)
  • Contact information for two references

Only complete applications submitted electronically through our system will be considered. Once you submit your application, you will receive an electronic confirmation. Applications submitted by mail or email will not be accepted. Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. We are unable to respond to individual inquiries about the status of an application. Visit https://www.cbpp.org/careers/intern for more information about the Center’s internship program. No phone calls, please.

If you have read all of the information on the website about internships at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and still have an inquiry about the application process, please email: [email protected].

Please submit your application here.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.