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Policy Advisor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

goodr

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Los Angeles, CA

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goodr

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Inglewood, CA

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Los Angeles, CA · On-site

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Voltai, Inc

Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... and Senior Foreign-Policy Advisor to four US presidents. What we are Looking For * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS, EECS, math or physics programs.

Voltai, Inc

Machine Learning Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... Policy Advisor to four US presidents. What we're Looking For * Strong AI/ML engineering skills from top tier CS, EECS, Math and Physics programs. * Proven track record of delivering AI/ML projects ...

Voltai

Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... and Senior Foreign-Policy Advisor to four US presidents. What we are Looking For * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS, EECS, math or physics programs.

Voltai

Full Stack Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

... Advisor, and Senior Foreign-Policy Advisor to four US presidents. Key Responsibilities * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS, EECS, math or physics programs.

Voltai

System Architect

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$285K/yr

... Policy Advisor to four US presidents. About this Role You will define the architecture for advanced compute and hardware systems -- integrating AI co-design, performance modeling, and cross-domain ...

Voltai, Inc

Server Hardware Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

... Advisor, and Senior Foreign-Policy Advisor to four US presidents. About this Role You'll design, bring up, and validate the next generation of compute and storage platforms powering Voltai's AI ...

Voltai

Lab Automation Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... Policy Advisor to four US presidents. About this Role You'll design, implement, and maintain the automation infrastructure that powers Voltai's hardware validation labs. You'll build systems that ...

Voltai

Full Stack Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... Advisor, and Senior Foreign-Policy Advisor to four US presidents. Key Responsibilities * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS, EECS, math or physics programs.

Voltai, Inc

Full Stack Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... Advisor, and Senior Foreign-Policy Advisor to four US presidents. Key Responsibilities * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS, EECS, math or physics programs.

Voltai

Network Development Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... Policy Advisor to four US presidents. About this Role You'll design and deploy high-performance network architectures connecting Voltai's compute infrastructure and distributed simulation ...

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All JobsPolicy Advisor JobsPolicy Advisor Jobs in California

Policy Advisor information

See California salary details

$43.4K

$103.4K

$154.4K

How much do policy advisor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for policy advisor in California is $103,388.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $125,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a policy advisor?

Policy advisors research and analyze the policies in a specific field. As a policy advisor, your job duties involve reviewing current policies, developing more effective strategies, and communicating these changes to those in charge. Policy advisors often work for schools, medical facilities, and government agencies. Positions are also available as political policy analysts with the federal government, political think tanks, and private firms. Your exact job responsibilities as a policy advisor vary greatly depending on your field and specific employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a policy advisor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Policy Advisor, you need strong analytical skills, a solid understanding of public policy, and typically a relevant degree such as in political science, public administration, or law. Familiarity with data analysis tools, legislative tracking systems, and policy research databases is important to conduct thorough evaluations. Excellent written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and stakeholder management are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are vital for effectively shaping policy recommendations, influencing decision-makers, and ensuring policies are evidence-based and impactful.

How does a policy advisor typically collaborate with various stakeholders when developing new policies?

Policy Advisors frequently work with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, subject matter experts, advocacy groups, and community representatives. Effective collaboration involves conducting consultations, facilitating meetings, and synthesizing feedback to ensure policies are both practical and broadly supported. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential, as Policy Advisors must balance differing interests while maintaining alignment with organizational objectives. This collaborative approach is crucial for creating well-informed and implementable policy recommendations.

What is the difference between Policy Advisor vs Policy Analyst?

AspectPolicy AdvisorPolicy Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in public policy, political science, or related field; often advanced degrees preferredBachelor's or master's in public policy, political science, economics, or related areas
Work EnvironmentAdvises government officials or organizations, often in office settings, attending meetings and briefingsResearch-focused, analyzing data and policy options, working in offices or research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, NGOs, think tanks, consulting firmsGovernment departments, research organizations, think tanks, consulting firms

While both Policy Advisors and Policy Analysts work within the policy field, Policy Advisors primarily provide strategic advice and recommendations to decision-makers, whereas Policy Analysts focus on researching, analyzing, and evaluating policy options. The roles often overlap, but Advisors tend to have more direct influence on policy development and implementation.

What education is needed to be a policy advisor?

A policy advisor typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in political science, public administration, law, economics, or a related field. Many roles prefer or require a master's degree or higher, along with strong analytical, communication, and research skills. Relevant experience and knowledge of government processes or policy analysis are also important.

What is the typical policy advisor salary?

The salary for a policy advisor typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior policy advisors or those in specialized fields may earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000. Compensation can also include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
More about Policy Advisor jobs

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The most popular types of Policy Advisor jobs in California are:

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For Policy Advisor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Policy Advisor jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Policy Advisor jobs in California are:

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Policy Advisor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Policy Advisor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $103,388 per year, or $49.7 per hour.

Director of Policy (Washington, DC or Berkeley, CA)

Civic AI Security Program, a 501 (3) nonprofit

Berkeley, CA • On-site

$130 - $200/hr

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

CivAI is a non-profit that educates policymakers and the public about AI risks using live software demonstrations. To date, CivAI has delivered 100+ briefings to organizations across civil society (on AI-cyber risks, deepfakes, and elder fraud) and the US government (on biological risks, elections, and more). Its work has been featured on national television by ABC News and Scripps News , and in print by the New York Times, the Washington Post, TIME, CNN, and many others.

CivAI regularly meets with policymakers, their staffs, and other high-leverage audiences to present our software demonstrations. As a 501(c)(3), CivAI does not make specific policy recommendations. Instead, CivAI acts in an educational capacity to provide a visceral understanding of AI capabilities and risks.

About the role

As Director of Policy, you will lead our work engaging with key stakeholders across Congress and the U.S. government. You will be responsible for managing government and legislative relationships, toward the goal of presenting CivAI’s work to high-leverage audiences in order to educate them on AI capabilities and risks. Depending on fit, you may also present CivAI’s software demonstrations to these offices yourself, both virtually and in person.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions about this role, please email us at jobs@civai.org .

Refer someone you think would be a great fit for CivAI. If we hire them, you'll receive $2,500 once they've been employed for 6 months. Submit a referral here and learn more about the referral program here.

In this role, you will:
  • Coordinate and conduct meetings with policymakers to present software demos, sometimes in tandem with partners in the AI policy ecosystem
  • Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with policymakers and their staffs
  • Track and analyze developments in AI policy, including drafting brief internal and external reports to inform broader strategy
  • Hone CivAI’s strategy for engaging policymakers with compelling presentations, balancing timely policy opportunities with longer-term strategic goals
  • Identify emerging trends in AI development and AI safety that create new opportunities for demonstrations and presentations
  • Represent CivAI at meetings and conferences among high-leverage audiences
  • Maintain a significant DC presence regardless of where you’re based. If you’re based in the Bay Area, expect frequent travel to Washington for meetings, demos, and network building
You may be a good fit if you:
  • Have 2+ years of experience in government, nonprofit, think tank, or corporate policy or government affairs roles
  • Possess a strong network of existing relationships across government and policy
  • Have a record of experience meeting with, communicating to, and managing relationships with policymakers
  • Have relevant background in AI, technology, national security, or similar policy areas
  • Feel comfortable navigating complex political landscapes and evaluating where to build relationships
  • Want to help high-leverage audiences understand AI’s implications, so that future AI progress is deliberate and beneficial for humanity
Salary and benefits
  • The role is full-time, and is open to candidates working either in Washington, DC or at our office in Berkeley.
  • The salary range is $130,000 to $200,000.
  • We provide catered lunch and dinner at our Berkeley office every weekday.
  • We are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

CivAI is an equal opportunity workplace, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, socioeconomic status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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