Research Assistant/Research Analyst, Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research

Position Summary:

Are you a mission-driven researcher with a passion for regulatory advocacy? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is looking for a Research Assistant or Research Analyst to join its Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research team.

We are seeking a highly collaborative and analytically rigorous researcher to help Democracy Forward engage in the federal regulatory process and to support its litigation and advocacy efforts. The Research Assistant or Research Analyst will help the Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research team monitor and analyze proposed regulatory actions, research policy and regulatory issues in connection with the drafting of public comments, and track legal and policy developments. The Research Assistant or Research Analyst will also help develop and maintain the Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research team’s data systems and support the team’s collaboration with key stakeholders and partners outside the organization. 

This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week). Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1–2 times per quarter.

Key Responsibilities:

Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department.

• Monitor and track federal regulatory activity, including proposed rules, executive actions, and other administrative actions.


• Help analyze proposed rulemakings and administrative actions to identify opportunities for engagement.


• Conduct policy, regulatory, and social science research to support the Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research team’s work in connection with public comments and other regulatory submissions.


• Analyze and synthesize data related to federal regulatory actions.


• Assist in coordinating timely responses to regulatory actions, including client and partner engagement.


• Support the Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research team’s efforts to build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, policy experts, and external stakeholders.


• Prepare briefings on legal and regulatory developments.


• Help prepare comments, reports and other written work product for submission and publication.

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

Required:

• For Research Assistant: 0-2 years of experience working in research, policy, regulatory, or legal environments and/or organizations that work at the intersection of government, regulation, law, and policy.


• For Research Analyst: 3+ years of experience working in research, policy, regulatory, or legal environments and/or organizations that work at the intersection of government, regulation, law, and policy.


• Demonstrated experience with legal, regulatory, policy, and media databases and tools, including, for instance, Westlaw, HeinOnline, PACER, AirTable, and Google News.


• Experience managing data projects and research functions.


• Experience working on teams in a collaborative structure.


• Demonstrated excellence in organizational and communication skills.


• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail.


• Ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and priorities.


• Commitment to democracy and social progress.


• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.


• This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.

The salary for the Research Assistant position is $72,100 plus excellent benefits. The salary range for the Research Analyst position is $75,000 - $90,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. 

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement.  If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar.  Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying. 

Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected] or 833-391-4732.