Job Description

Research And IE Associate

Fund for States (FFS) compensates employees competitively and provides a very generous benefits package. We believe in work-life balance and understand that every employee has unique circumstances at home. We offer employees significant amounts of time off as well as flexible work options. We're dedicated to treating one another with respect in the workplace and prioritize racial, equity, and inclusion (REI) in our work with one another as well as with our stakeholders.

The forces working to undermine our democracy are not backing down. From efforts by the losing Supreme Court candidate in North Carolina to throw out 60,000 votes to billionaires like Elon Musk pouring money to tip the scales for their chosen candidates, they continue to find new ways to threaten our democracy. Election deniers are doubling down—pushing conspiracy theories, eroding trust in our elections, and even threatening the very people who make our democracy function. We've seen the consequences: restrictive voting laws, confusion at the polls, and a growing number of Americans questioning the legitimacy of our elections. And here's the kicker: while the threats are getting bigger, national investment is shrinking. All this, at a time when state and local races in 2026 will determine who administers our elections in 2028 and who controls the census process in 2030. This is a defining moment for our democracy, and Fund for States is stepping up with bold and innovative approaches so every voter has the facts they need—when and where they need them. Fund for States is dedicated to building a democracy that works for every voter. We work with state and local election officials and community organizations to educate the public, combat disinformation, and restore trust in the electoral process—while holding anti-democracy actors accountable.

Fund for States has an affiliated Political Action Committee, State + Local Election Alliance (SLEA), that is dedicated to supporting and winning state and hyper-local elections. As an employee of Fund for States, you will also conduct work for State + Local Election Alliance. The future of our democracy hinges on the integrity and accessibility of our elections. While national attention often focuses on presidential races, the true battleground for fair elections lies at the state and local levels. That's because the winners of the 2025, 2026, and 2027 elections will determine how elections are conducted in 2028 - where and when we vote, how ballots are counted, the legal fights, and the entire certification process. This means the race for the White House (and every other election) starts today. So, in order to preserve our elections, we have to protect the people who run them in states and localities around the country – from attorneys general to secretaries of state; from city councils to mayors – and the thousands of races in between. Republicans have been investing at the state and local level for decades through centralized entities. But there hasn't been the same concerted effort for Democrats. That's why State + Local Election Alliance is laser-focused on the state and local races that will decide the future of our elections, and our democracy – in the states that will matter most for the 2028 election.

Fund for States is seeking a full-time Research + IE Associate. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to vital work at the intersection of local governance, elections, and democratic integrity. The Research + IE Associate will report to the Research Director and play a key role in identifying, tracking, and analyzing local officials and political candidates nationwide. The Research + IE Associate will focus on research through July, then spend much of August through November supporting the Independent Expenditure programs run by Fund for States and its affiliated organization, SLEA, by supporting the program and operations team as they track and manage paid communication efforts across multiple states and dozens of races. The Research + IE Associate should be able to effectively project-manage simultaneous projects across multiple vendor teams. This position is fully remote and can be conducted from anywhere inside the United States, although work must be performed primarily from a single, consistent U.S. location for legal and tax compliance purposes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently research and document the structure, responsibilities, and authority of local and state-level offices across the U.S., particularly those involved in election administration and policy.
• Analyze and synthesize information on terms of office, election timelines, and methods of selection for priority positions, identifying patterns, trends, and implications for strategic planning.
• Evaluate and conduct background research and initial vetting of incumbents and candidates for key local offices, including professional history, political affiliations, policy positions, and any controversies or notable actions, applying sound judgment and discretion in the vetting process.
• Manage and contribute to internal databases and tracking tools for research outputs, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and utility across projects.
• Draft high-quality written summaries, memos, or briefing materials for internal and external use, tailored to various audiences and organizational needs.
• Collaborate closely with the Research Director and team to scope and execute special projects and organizational priorities as needed, exercising discretion in determining research direction, methodologies, and key findings.

Paid Communications/Program Management:

• Produce memos and communications materials for dozens of targeted races.
• Track organizational efforts to produce paid communications for dozens of digital and mail campaigns. Coordinate the internal production, approval and invoice process for team members and consultants to get approval and legal clearance.
• Managing calls and communications with vendors to create program plans and hold teams accountable to deadlines
• Participate in calls with key stakeholders and in-state partners, and keep state partner database updated with key contact information

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in research, political science, public policy, government, journalism, or a related field
• 1–2 years of relevant experience, which may include internships or volunteer roles related to research, campaigns, advocacy, or public service
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail
• Ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely
• Comfortable working independently, exercising independent judgment, managing multiple tasks with minimal supervision, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong commitment to democratic values and nonpartisan principles

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with U.S. local and state government structures, elections, or political campaigns
• Experience with vetting or background research
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Airtable, Chat GPT, or other research and project management tools
• Basic knowledge of public records and campaign finance resources
• Experience with project management and legal approval processes

Physical Requirements:

Fund for States is committed to supporting employees of varying abilities and to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to thrive at Fund for States. The requirements of this role, related to its physical demands, described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Essential functions of the role include: working from a computer for long periods of time; frequent communication with internal and external stakeholders via phone, video conferencing, email, and in-person interactions; occasional travel (less than 10%); use of standard office equipment, including a computer and phone is required. This position is eligible for flexible work hour arrangements, subject to organizational needs. If you have questions about accessibility or would like to request a reasonable accommodation during the application process or in the role itself, please reach out to the hiring manager directly.

Pay & Benefits:

Salary for the Research + IE Associate position is $60,000 - $80,000 on an annualized basis, commensurate with experience and qualifications. We anticipate this role will end on December 31, 2026.

Fund for States offers a generous benefit package, including:

• More than 25 days of paid time off, including for Federal holidays, time off around Federal holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year, vacation, sick, and personal days;
• Fully paid health/vision/dental insurance for the employee;
• Employer-Sponsored 401k plan;
• Employer-Sponsored short-term and long-term disability insurance;
• Access to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Monthly $100 mobile phone reimbursement

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please email a resume and brief cover letter to abbey@fundforstates.org. Fund for States may review applications after this deadline in limited circumstances, however this is not a guarantee that your application will be considered if it is not submitted by the deadline.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs