Associate, Federal Data Policy

Why FAS? 

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join?  Is it aligned to your values?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community. 

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity. 

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world. 

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future where science, technology, ideas, and talent are deployed to solve the biggest challenges of our time—and we see government as the strongest enabler in that vision. We value equity, inclusion, and transparency.  As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Skills and Expertise:

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate?

Required

• Experience or course work related to data policy, data science, and/or public policy, to include working with public datasets.
• Passion for and general familiarity with government data, in a specific domain or broadly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including communicating compelling and creative data-informed narratives to diverse audiences (e.g., the public, data users, and decision makers).
• Comfort with social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, etc) and content creation (either personal or professional).
• Experience supporting the planning and execution of virtual and in-person events, including webinars, workshops, and convenings.
• Ability to support policy, research, advocacy, or programmatic efforts through research, analysis, and project execution.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including close attention to detail and synthesis of information from multiple sources.
• Ability to engage and support relationships with a range of stakeholders (data users, businesses, government data leaders, academic researchers, congressional staff, etc)
• Strong organization and prioritization, with the ability to handle time-sensitive efforts in a fast-moving environment.
• Comfort with an uncertain and rapidly evolving policy landscape; the ideal candidate is able to monitor and synthesize evolving policy dynamics to help FAS and partners adapt in real time to shifting conditions.

Preferred skills

• Understanding of one or more issues at the intersection of data and policy, like open data standards and infrastructure, federal statistical policy, data privacy, governance of federal data, or data equity.

To Sum It Up…

What’s the “elevator pitch” for the role?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) seeks a strategic and collaborative Associate of Data Policy to advance our mission at the intersection of data, policy, and governance. In this role at the newly launched Data Policy Institute, you will contribute to  FAS’s data strategy across the federal government, state and local government, civil society, industry, and academia to drive meaningful policy impact on critical government data issues.

As Associate of Data Policy, you will support coalition-building, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy efforts to build a more resilient national data infrastructure. You will work with the team to activate the community to be effective storytellers and respond to the changing public data landscape; and contribute to efforts to develop a pathway for the future of public data. You’ll work alongside subject matter experts, communications professionals, and strategists to mobilize support for federal data policies. This position offers the opportunity to learn and flex both analytical and policy entrepreneurship skills, identifying emerging issues in the public data landscape, advocating for public data, and communicating the value of public data.

The ideal candidate is an adept relationship-builder, an advocate who can adapt communication approaches to varied audiences, and someone eager to develop strategic instincts and contribute to a team working to rebuild public data capacity. If you’re passionate about data and policy and thrive in collaborative, mission-driven environments, this role offers meaningful impact during a critical moment.

The Associate, Federal Data Policy Executes On These Responsibilities By:

• Applying established policy-entrepreneurship tools to advance policies for identifying and protecting essential public data.
• Coordinating designated stakeholder and coalition-building activities with external data stakeholders across federal, state, and local government, industry, academia, and civil society organizations and identifying opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration.
• Supporting and managing assigned activities designed to build and engage a community of civic data professionals, deploying strategies to bring data talent back into the federal government, and rebuilding agency data capacity.
• Contributing to the team’s data monitoring strategy and activities, including tracking dataset changes and terminations, evaluating risks, and assessing policy impacts.
• Independently managing defined data-monitoring projects within established program goals, advancing innovation in data monitoring, including exploring and applying emerging uses of AI and automation.
• Planning and executing convenings and webinars to activate the civic data community around shared goals for building a future resilient national data ecosystem
• Developing narratives and stories to illustrate the benefits of federal data to everyday Americans.
• Adapting communication styles and methods (e.g., data, storytelling) to meet audiences where they are and advance progress around federal data policy goals, including social media and influencer campaigns.
• Managing assigned projects and workstreams across the portfolio, including tracking budgets, supporting contract and vendor management, monitoring project performance and recommending corrective action, helping ensure projects run on time and within scope, and content for grant proposals across a growing portfolio of public data monitoring and policy initiatives.
• In coordination with colleagues, establishing and continuously improving internal workflows and implementation processes to ensure the program operates efficiently, strategically, and at scale.

Work Environment

This position will be a hybrid role. Meaning that both remote and in-person work can be accommodated, generally two to three days per week on-site, and two to three days per week remote depending on the needs of the organization. 

This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to collective bargaining.

Salary Range

●      $60,000-$68,000

FAS offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees’ health, financial security, and overall well-being. Benefits include a competitive 403(b) retirement plan, medical, dental, and vision coverage, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, employee assistance support, pre-tax benefits such as healthcare and dependent care FSAs, and commuter benefits. 

Hiring Statement

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.