Policy Research Intern

The Participatory Budgeting Project, Inc. (PBP), a nonprofit organization based in New York City and Oakland, is seeking a part-time policy research intern for winter/spring 2019, with opportunity to extend for part- or full-time in the summer.

About PBP

For 10 years, the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) has empowered people to participate in democracy through revolutionary civics in action. Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. It gives people real power over the money that affects their lives. We create and support PB processes in cities, schools, and public agencies across the United States and Canada to address deep community needs, develop new community leaders, and make public budgets more equitable and effective. Through our work with partners in over 30 cities, we have engaged over 400,000 people in deciding how to spend $300 million.

The internship is ideal for individuals interested in exploring the potential of participatory democracy and gaining experience in the internal operations of a growing nonprofit while furthering their skills in stakeholder outreach and writing for policymakers. The position will be based in our Brooklyn location, with option for partial remote work from NJ.

Interns may be current or recently graduated students in any relevant degree- or certificate-granting program (2-year or 4-year college, graduate level), or professionals in transition (of any educational level) who are looking to develop new skills.

Responsibilities:

• Through interviews, online research and networking, assist project team in assessing opportunities for more equitable budget and policy engagement in New Jersey.
• Support research analysis, writing and design of a policy report and supplemental materials
• Provide logistical support for interviews and educational events, including scheduling, note-taking/transcription, contact management, and event coordination.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Project coordination experience (in or out of the classroom, including volunteer and extracurricular activities)
• Research experience (in or out of the classroom), preferably on issues related to public policy, municipal finances, local politics, participatory democracy, infrastructure
• Lived experience or work/school history in New Jersey a huge plus
• Experience with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems or database management a plus
• Graphic design experience a plus

PBP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, strongly committed to building a staff that represents the diversity of communities we work in.  Interns will be paid $15/hr. For more information, visit our website at www.participatorybudgeting.org.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and a short (1-3 page) work sample that illustrates your skill in conveying policy concepts to a non-technical audience through writing and/or visual design (e.g. a brochure, flyer, powerpoint presentation, info sheet, website, report/paper excerpt, etc.) to jobs@participatorybudgeting.org by March 11.

Please combine application materials into a single PDF if possible, and indicate in the subject line NJ/NY 2019 Internship . Early applications are encouraged — applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis.

Director of Partnerships

Full-time | New York, NY or Oakland, CA

The Director of Partnerships will lead our work to build demand and support for participatory democracy practices that enable people to make decisions in government, centering equity. You are perfect for this role if you are a master at building organizational partnerships and relationships, navigating complex political dynamics, and driving forward collaborative work that results in major policy changes. Primary responsibilities include driving a new collaborative campaign focused on democracy beyond elections, building relationships with national organizing, policy, and civic engagement partners and funders to increase the adoption of participatory budgeting and broader participatory democracy policies. You will lead strategic campaign development, activate partners to step up as leaders, and ensure day to day campaign deliverables. This position reports to one of PBP’s Co-Executive Directors, works closely with our staff and boards, and is based in either New York City or Oakland.

About PBP

For 10 years, the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) has empowered people to participate in democracy through revolutionary civics in action. Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budgeting. It gives people real power over the money that affects their lives. We create and support PB processes in cities, schools, and public agencies across the United States and Canada to address deep community needs, develop new community leaders, and make public budgets more equitable and effective. Through our work with partners in over 30 cities, we have engaged over 400,000 people in deciding how to spend $300 million.

Key responsibilities

• Partnerships: Build and maintain partnerships and collaborative decision-making with key national and regional organizations. Support and inspire partners to contribute to campaign goals.
• Campaign Planning and Management: Lead PBP’s work on a multi-year national campaign focused on democracy and civic engagement beyond elections, collaboratively shaped by a coalition of national and regional partners. Develop, monitor, and report on campaign goals and outcomes, for internal and external stakeholders
• Public Communications: Represent the organization in public communications – including networking, published media, videos, and blogging – alongside other staff, board members, volunteers, and stakeholders. Amplify the voices of partners.
• Event Planning: Manage support staff in planning convenings with partners and broader audiences.
• Content Development: Develop content aimed at expanding participatory democracy, for marketing and program materials, blog posts, social media, and our website, alongside other PBP staff.

• Fundraising Support: Cultivate relationships with institutional funders and individual donors through outreach, networking, and special events, to help secure grants, sponsorships, contracts, and donations that support the programmatic work.
• Organizational Leadership & Management: Help to actively engage, inspire, and lead the organization’s staff, boards, volunteers, and partners, and develop their leadership, as part of the organization’s leadership team.

Qualifications

• Passion for participatory democracy, community empowerment, and equity.
• At least two years experience running a national multi-channel and multi-stakeholder campaign or coalition for a national organization.
• Excellent relationship-building and motivational skills.
• An understanding and proven experience engaging with and motivating key audiences, such as elected officials and national organizing and policy organizations.
• Excellent verbal, written, visual communications, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex information in clear, compelling, and accessible ways.
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to organize, prioritize, and effectively delegate large volumes of work.
• Experience supervising staff and ability to support staff development.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills; ability to exercise discretion.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team; demonstrated ability to work on challenging, dynamic, and multifaceted projects.
• Creative with an eye for design and an understanding of the power of storytelling.
• Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency with G Suite, social media, and CRM systems.
• Proficiency in English. Proficiency is an additional language is a plus, but is not required.
• Experience working with elected officials, government institutions, and organizing and advocacy organizations
• Flexibility and adaptability to shifting organizational and strategic directions

We understand that there are a wide variety of paths towards the skills necessary for any position. As such, PBP positions have no formal educational requirements, as long as the applicant can demonstrate mastery of the desired skills. We do, however, value experience gained through educational programs, including credits completed in related subjects.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting. This position requires some travel to attend meetings and events. Approximately 15% of time may be spent traveling in North America and beyond.

Values, Compensation, and Location

Our organizational practices embody our values of community, equity, learning, participatory democracy, and transparency. All staff are deeply engaged in the organization’s planning and decision-making. Our office culture is friendly and supportive, with regular potlucks and celebrations, and an emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We invest in the professional growth and personal care of our people, including strong benefits:

• 4 weeks annual paid vacation and a slew of paid holidays
• Full coverage for health insurance (and dental, vision), flexible spending account
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Generous sick day and family leave policy
• Professional development resources, including semi-annual staff retreats
• Schedule and work site flexibility to accommodate your life, including families, continuing education, and community leadership
• Flex time to accommodate the requirement of non-traditional hours.

This position is based out of our Oakland or New York office. Salary range, depending on relevant experience: $60,000-$80,000

How to Apply

Please email applications to jobs@participatorybudgeting.org, with xxx in the subject line.

Applications should include the following, compiled in a single pdf:

1. Cover letter explaining your relevant experience and interest in the position
2. Resume
3. List of three professional references with contact information
4. Writing sample (e.g., a proposal, article, or blog post)

PBP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, strongly committed to building a staff that represents the diversity of communities we work in. We encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and indigenous people. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received before March 11, 2019.

For more information, visit www.participatorybudgeting.org.

Communications Manager

Full-time | New York, NY or Oakland, CA

The Director of Partnerships will lead our work to build demand and support for participatory democracy practices that enable people to make decisions in government, centering equity. You are perfect for this role if you are a master at building organizational partnerships and relationships, navigating complex political dynamics, and driving forward collaborative work that results in major policy changes. Primary responsibilities include driving a new collaborative campaign focused on democracy beyond elections, building relationships with national organizing, policy, and civic engagement partners and funders to increase the adoption of participatory budgeting and broader participatory democracy policies. You will lead strategic campaign development, activate partners to step up as leaders, and ensure day to day campaign deliverables. This position reports to one of PBP’s Co-Executive Directors, works closely with our staff and boards, and is based in either New York City or Oakland.

About PBP

For 10 years, the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) has empowered people to participate in democracy through revolutionary civics in action. Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budgeting. It gives people real power over the money that affects their lives. We create and support PB processes in cities, schools, and public agencies across the United States and Canada to address deep community needs, develop new community leaders, and make public budgets more equitable and effective. Through our work with partners in over 30 cities, we have engaged over 400,000 people in deciding how to spend $300 million.

Key responsibilities

• Partnerships: Build and maintain partnerships and collaborative decision-making with key national and regional organizations. Support and inspire partners to contribute to campaign goals.
• Campaign Planning and Management: Lead PBP’s work on a multi-year national campaign focused on democracy and civic engagement beyond elections, collaboratively shaped by a coalition of national and regional partners. Develop, monitor, and report on campaign goals and outcomes, for internal and external stakeholders
• Public Communications: Represent the organization in public communications – including networking, published media, videos, and blogging – alongside other staff, board members, volunteers, and stakeholders. Amplify the voices of partners.
• Event Planning: Manage support staff in planning convenings with partners and broader audiences.
• Content Development: Develop content aimed at expanding participatory democracy, for marketing and program materials, blog posts, social media, and our website, alongside other PBP staff.

• Fundraising Support: Cultivate relationships with institutional funders and individual donors through outreach, networking, and special events, to help secure grants, sponsorships, contracts, and donations that support the programmatic work.
• Organizational Leadership & Management: Help to actively engage, inspire, and lead the organization’s staff, boards, volunteers, and partners, and develop their leadership, as part of the organization’s leadership team.

Qualifications

• Passion for participatory democracy, community empowerment, and equity.
• At least two years experience running a national multi-channel and multi-stakeholder campaign or coalition for a national organization.
• Excellent relationship-building and motivational skills.
• An understanding and proven experience engaging with and motivating key audiences, such as elected officials and national organizing and policy organizations.
• Excellent verbal, written, visual communications, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex information in clear, compelling, and accessible ways.
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to organize, prioritize, and effectively delegate large volumes of work.
• Experience supervising staff and ability to support staff development.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills; ability to exercise discretion.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team; demonstrated ability to work on challenging, dynamic, and multifaceted projects.
• Creative with an eye for design and an understanding of the power of storytelling.
• Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency with G Suite, social media, and CRM systems.
• Proficiency in English. Proficiency is an additional language is a plus, but is not required.
• Experience working with elected officials, government institutions, and organizing and advocacy organizations
• Flexibility and adaptability to shifting organizational and strategic directions

We understand that there are a wide variety of paths towards the skills necessary for any position. As such, PBP positions have no formal educational requirements, as long as the applicant can demonstrate mastery of the desired skills. We do, however, value experience gained through educational programs, including credits completed in related subjects.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting. This position requires some travel to attend meetings and events. Approximately 15% of time may be spent traveling in North America and beyond.

Values, Compensation, and Location

Our organizational practices embody our values of community, equity, learning, participatory democracy, and transparency. All staff are deeply engaged in the organization’s planning and decision-making. Our office culture is friendly and supportive, with regular potlucks and celebrations, and an emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We invest in the professional growth and personal care of our people, including strong benefits:

• 4 weeks annual paid vacation and a slew of paid holidays
• Full coverage for health insurance (and dental, vision), flexible spending account
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Generous sick day and family leave policy
• Professional development resources, including semi-annual staff retreats
• Schedule and work site flexibility to accommodate your life, including families, continuing education, and community leadership
• Flex time to accommodate the requirement of non-traditional hours.

This position is based out of our Oakland or New York office. Salary range, depending on relevant experience: $60,000-$80,000

How to Apply

Please email applications to jobs@participatorybudgeting.org, with xxx in the subject line.

Applications should include the following, compiled in a single pdf:

1. Cover letter explaining your relevant experience and interest in the position
2. Resume
3. List of three professional references with contact information
4. Writing sample (e.g., a proposal, article, or blog post)

PBP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, strongly committed to building a staff that represents the diversity of communities we work in. We encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and indigenous people. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received before March 11, 2019.

For more information, visit www.participatorybudgeting.org.