Policy Researcher (Poverty and Opportunity)

Policy Researcher (focus on poverty and opportunity)

About Illinois Policy Institute
The Illinois Policy Institute is the strongest voice for taxpayers in the state. We stand up for regular Illinoisans who deserve a voice in their government but have been ignored in favor of special interests for too long. We educate and engage Illinoisans from all walks of life to ensure our state is a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Illinois is a place we should all be proud to call home.

The Illinois Policy Institute is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) research organization. Our partner organization, Illinois Policy, is an independent, nonpartisan 501(c)(4) advocacy organization.

About the role

Illinois Policy Institute is seeking a Policy Researcher with outstanding organizational and research skills to join our team of policy and legal researchers. Responsibilities will include providing research and other support for policy team projects on free-market approaches to poverty, housing, jobs and opportunity, crime, education and other issues.

Applicants should thrive in an entrepreneurial, creative, and fast-paced environment and have a clear commitment to free-market principles.

Responsibilities

• Gather important data and facts necessary for analyzing policy issues and responding to the news cycle quickly.

• Gather and analyze articles, legal documents and other data to aid the policy team in research projects.

• Fact check research and other policy team work, as well as materials from marketing and development teams.

• Draft research briefs, web articles or other policy-related content.

• Data collection and cleaning to support research and web article production.

• Organize and maintain research databases and tracking systems.

• Organize and file documents in electronic form.

• Send, track the status of and store replies to Freedom of Information Act requests.

• Assist with other IPI projects as requested by the vice president of policy and litigation.

Qualifications and requirements

• Bachelor's degree required, majors in political science, economics, public policy or similar field/concentration preferred.

• Demonstrated commitment to the free-market, limited government policies and mission of Illinois Policy Institute.

• Demonstrated research and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated spoken and written communication skills.

• Basic knowledge of the governmental / policy landscape in Illinois.

• Proficient in Microsoft office, including Word and Excel.

Compensation

Range of $50,000 to $60,000 base salary, commensurate with experience. Opportunity for performance-based bonuses on top of base salary. Compensation package includes health (medical and dental plans with employer-paid share), 401(k), flexible spending benefits and vacation and sick days.

Location

The Policy Researcher will work in our Chicago office. Illinois Policy Institute has a hybrid work policy where employees can work from home up to two days each week.

How to Apply

To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials.

• Cover letter including:

  • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to the institute's mission and how you came to those beliefs. Be sure to include at least one specific issue, case or policy area that resonates with you.

  • Salary requirements.

• Resume

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.