Call for Applications: The Pew Leadership Year

Having recently played softball with the Pew Environment Group's team on the National Mall, I can tell you that these are some very cool and intelligent people - and they're fun to boot! The Pew Leadership Year sounds like an amazing opportunity to join the Pew Charitable Trust's (non-athletic) team and work towards their mission to improve public policy, inform the public, and stimulate civic life, all while developing your own leadership skills and career!

The Pew Leadership Year offers hands-on experience in public policy advocacy, research and communications to individuals who are dedicated to building a leadership career in the public or nonprofit sectors and have recently completed an undergraduate or advanced degree. The first Pew Leadership Year will begin in September 2010 and conclude in August 2011.

These year-long, paid positions – all based in our Washington, DC, office – will provide 22 exceptionally talented graduates the chance to work alongside Pew professionals, gaining valuable skills while making important contributions to our work. Pew Leadership Fellows will learn and hone essential skills that will help them thrive not only during their tenure at Pew, but in any chosen career.

Participants will work with a diverse group of Pew staff in specific departments. Through observation and involvement, each fellow will have the opportunity to work on critical issues, which may include: global conservation; U.S. land conservation; marine environmental advocacy; global warming and energy policy; federal banking regulations; financial reform; state fiscal issues; election initiatives; public safety; the healthy development of young children; and early childhood education.

Each program participant will focus on one discipline – advocacy/policy, research or communications – within one department – Pew Environment Group, Pew
Economic Policy Group, Pew Center on the States, or Pew Health Group. While immersed in one area, participants will have ample exposure to other program areas and attend professional and leadership development seminars.

During their Pew Leadership Year, Fellows will have a wide range of responsibilities, which may include:

• Conduct original research and writing projects.
• Collect, compile and analyze data.
• Provide financial assistance to advocates and other leaders to educate policy makers and the public about the benefits of various programs.
• Become immersed in the research, planning, strategy formulation and execution of a multi-state advocacy campaign.
• Help prepare for press and other events and attend seminars, briefings or congressional hearings.
• Assist in efforts to educate policy makers, coordinate work with coalition partners and create fact sheets and other materials.
• Help create effective online presentations that promote various issues and campaigns.
• Track legislation and relevant press coverage and research public officials’ records and statements.
• Support a broad range of advocacy activities.

Eligibility

The Pew Leadership Year is open to individuals graduating with a bachelor or advanced degree between December 2009 and August 2010. Individuals who studied the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply: economics, political science, environmental science, health science, communications, journalism or public policy. An applicant must have the legal right to work in the United States at the time of applying to the program.

The criteria for assessment of applicants will include:

• Evidence of superior academic achievement.
• Demonstrated analytical skills through academic studies and/or work experience, including an ability to synthesize large amounts of information and focus quickly on the essence of an issue.
• A strong commitment to producing measurable results.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including an ease in communicating complex concepts in a clear, effective manner for a general audience.
• Demonstrated interest through academic study and/or prior full-time or part-time work experience in building a leadership career.
• Demonstrated understanding of policy, research and organizational issues.
• Ability to perform substantive research.
• Results-oriented style with a focus on process and achievement.
• Recognized ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and manage productive relationships with colleagues.

Information Sessions

We invite you to learn more about The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Pew Leadership Year by attending one of our 35-minute informational webinars.

• Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 4:00 pm EDT
• Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 4:00 pm EDT
• Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 3:30 pm EDT

We are an equal opportunity employer.