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Common Sense (commonsense.org) is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Every day, millions of families turn to Common Sense for trusted advice and unbiased ratings. We offer the largest library of independent, age-based, and educational ratings and reviews for everything your kids want to watch, play, read, and learn. Our movie and TV ratings are available on Target.com, Xfinity, Apple TV, and many other partner platforms helping families make smart media choices. Through our schools program, we provide educators with a curriculum that teaches the essential digital citizenship and literacy skills every student needs to succeed. We also work with policymakers, industry leaders, and concerned parents, caregivers, and teachers to improve the media and education landscape for kids, families, and schools.

Job overview: The Tech Policy Counsel supports Common Sense's digital equity, connectivity, and tech accountability policy agendas at the state and federal level.

TYPE: Full-time, 40 hours/week, exempt REPORTS TO: Head of Tech Policy Advocacy LOCATION: Washington, D.C., or San Francisco SALARY RANGE: $90,000–$115,000

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with the Head of Tech Policy Advocacy to play a leading role in advocating for connectivity policy and the digital inclusion needs of children and families. Advocacy targets will include state and federal broadband policymakers.
• Develop a state legislative advocacy strategy to further our connectivity policy agenda. Track and analyze relevant state broadband legislation, develop Common Sense's positions, and prepare recommendations for engagement, working with external partners and key internal state-based staff.
• Track and advise the Advocacy team on other telecommunications and tech policy relevant to our mission, including cybersecurity, AI, other emerging technologies, and other relevant policy areas.
• Develop and publish analyses on connectivity and other relevant tech issues, and track and compile relevant data, research, and information from published reports in support of our connectivity policy agenda.
• Participate in relevant regulatory proceedings on connectivity issues to support our priorities at the state and federal levels.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with government, advocates, industry, researchers, and academics engaged on connectivity and emerging tech issues.
• Play a leading role in relevant state and federal connectivity stakeholder coalitions that further Common Sense's connectivity priorities, including public speaking, speaking with the news media, holding private meetings, and writing for technical and general audiences.
• Support Common Sense's Communications, Marketing, Product, and other internal teams to promote our point of views on connectivity, inclusion, and emerging technologies.
• Carry out other duties as needed that are appropriate to this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4+ years of previous experience in advocacy, tech, telecom, and/or state or federal government.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in broadband, AI, and other tech and telecom policy issues.
• Familiarity with the state and federal policy process.
• Graduate, law, public policy, or engineering degree preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Creative approach to problem solving and new issues, and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to Common Sense's mission to improve the well-being of children and families in an increasingly digital world.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Work with passionate professionals.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits: medical, dental, vision, and fitness.
• Matching 401(k).
• Work-life balance.
• The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids and families.

Common Sense values the diversity of its employees and is an equal-opportunity employer. For more information on our values, please visit our statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Common Sense will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. However, job offers are made on the condition that the applicant subsequently passes a criminal background check. If the background check indicates a prior criminal conviction, we will conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether the conviction should result in denial of employment.