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Policy Writer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

AURRERA HEALTH GROUP LLC

Policy Consultant

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Strong writing, research, and organizational skills. * Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision. * Clear and professional communication skills, both written ...

Asian Law Caucus

Policy Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$143K - $170K/yr

ALC is looking for a strategic movement leader who produces rigorous policy analysis, writes compellingly for multiple audiences, leads coalitions effectively, and builds the policy capacity of ...

Asian Law Caucus

Policy Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$143K - $170K/yr

ALC is looking for a strategic movement leader who produces rigorous policy analysis, writes compellingly for multiple audiences, leads coalitions effectively, and builds the policy capacity of ...

Anthropic

Policy Communications Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$139K - $170K/yr

Write blog posts, statements, talking points, and other communications materials that explain our ... Experience in policy communications, including managing communications around complex security or ...

Anthropic

Policy Communications Manager

San Francisco, CA

$139K - $170K/yr

You should be able to move quickly under pressure and tight deadlines, write crisply, and distill ... Experience in policy communications, including managing communications around complex security or ...

UC Davis Health

Project Policy Analyst 3 RP

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$73K - $130K/yr

The Project Policy Analyst 3 will support the Gift Agreement and Endowment Coordinator, who is the ... Experience in a non-profit or fund-raising environment in writing gift agreements, contracts, or ...

CHIRLA

Grant Writer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Experience in social justice and policy and advocacy work * Strong writing skills and grant ... experience for private and public funders * Must be highly organized with the ability to work ...

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

Technical Writer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$22.70 - $30/hr

Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training. * Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures ...

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Policy Writer information

See California salary details

$43.4K

$103.4K

$154.4K

How much do policy writer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for policy writer 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 writer?

A Policy Writer is responsible for researching, drafting, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines for an organization. They ensure policies comply with legal standards, industry regulations, and organizational goals. Policy Writers collaborate with stakeholders to clarify objectives and create clear, concise, and effective documents. They may also update policies based on regulatory changes and best practices.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a policy writer?

To thrive as a Policy Writer, you need excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, usually paired with a degree in public policy, communications, law, or a related field. Familiarity with document management systems, legislative databases, and sometimes certifications like Certified Professional in Policy Management (CPPM) can be valuable. Attention to detail, organization, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly to various audiences are standout soft skills. These abilities are crucial for producing clear, accurate, and actionable policies that meet regulatory standards and organizational needs.

What are some common challenges faced by policy writers on the job?

Policy Writers often encounter the challenge of translating complex legal or regulatory requirements into clear, concise, and actionable policy documents. They may need to balance the priorities and expectations of different stakeholders, such as legal teams, management, and operational staff, while ensuring consistency and compliance. Tight deadlines and frequent revisions are also common, requiring adaptability and strong organizational skills. Successfully navigating these challenges is key to creating effective policies that support organizational goals and meet compliance standards.

How much do policy writers get paid?

Policy writers typically earn a median annual salary of around $65,000 to $85,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior or specialized policy writers with advanced skills can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually. Compensation may also include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

What degree do you need to be a policy writer?

Policy writers typically hold a bachelor's degree in fields such as political science, public administration, communications, or related areas. Advanced positions may require a master's degree or specialized knowledge in policy analysis or law. Strong writing skills and understanding of policy issues are essential for success in this role.

What are popular job titles related to Policy Writer jobs in California?

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Policy Writer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Policy Writer job openings:

Policy Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Policy Writer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,388 per year, or $49.7 per hour.

Technical Writer

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

Part-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a Policy and Technical Writer/Editor to support the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory-level policies, procedures, forms, templates, guidance documents, and related technical content. Working closely with policy owners, subject matter experts, operational teams, and management across the laboratory, this position will help create clear, accurate, accessible, and user-centered documentation that supports compliance, consistency, and effective operations.
Reporting to the designated manager and collaborating with stakeholders throughout SLAC, the part-time, on-call Policy and Technical Writer/Editor will draft, edit, organize, and coordinate the development of policies and related documentation while helping establish consistent standards and practices for institutional content. Work will be performed on an on-call basis as assigned.
Note: This is a non-benefits eligible casual nonexempt position (work less than 50% full-time equivalent), not to exceed 980 hours in a calendar year.
SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park.
Your specific responsibilities include:
  • Draft, edit, and maintain laboratory-level policies, procedures, guidance documents, forms, templates, standards, and related technical content.

  • Partner with policy owners, subject matter experts, requirements experts, and management to develop clear, accurate, and actionable documentation.

  • Coordinate document development, review, approval, revision, and publication of activities with stakeholders across the laboratory.

  • Create and maintain templates, forms, style guidance, editorial standards, and supporting tools that promote consistency, clarity, accessibility, and ease of use.

  • Apply plain-language principles, technical editing expertise, and content organization with best practices to improve the readability, usability, and effectiveness of policy and technical documentation.

  • Develop and maintain a consistent institutional voice, structure, and user experience across policies, procedures, forms, templates, and related documentation.

  • Review content for consistency, accuracy, compliance, terminology, formatting, and alignment with established documentation standards.

  • Analyze business and operational processes to understand requirements, identify documentation needs, and recommend improvements to documentation, workflows, and content governance practices.

  • Support continuous improvement of SLAC's policy processes, content standards, document governance practices, and publishing workflows.

  • Communicate and reinforce the value of standards, templates, editorial practices, and consistent policy-development processes to stakeholders across the organization.

  • Manage multiple writing, editing, and policy-development projects simultaneously, coordinating contributors, reviews, approvals, and publication schedules.

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure documentation is accurate, useful, accessible, and appropriate for intended audiences.

  • Coordinate document submission, publication, maintenance, version control, and archival activities consistent with documentation and records-management standards.

  • Keep controlled documents up to date as requirements, processes, regulations, and organizational needs evolve .

To be successful in this position you will bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Technical Writing, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, or a combination of education and experience performing responsibilities similar to those listed above.

  • Minimum five years of experience in policy writing, technical writing, technical editing, communications, process documentation, or related discipline.

  • Demonstrated ability to write, edit, and organize policies, procedures, standards, guidance documents, forms, templates, and technical documentation.

  • Ability to translate complex requirements, processes, technical information, and operational decisions into clear, concise, and actionable content for diverse audiences.

  • Strong technical editing skills, including plain-language editing, content organization, terminology consistency, formatting consistency, proofreading, and quality review.

  • Ability to create and improve forms, templates, style guidance, and reusable content structures that support consistent policy development.

  • Ability to review and understand end-to-end work processes and recommend improvements to documentation, workflows, and content governance.

  • Strong collaboration and customer service skills, including the ability to work effectively with policy owners, subject matter experts, requirements experts, management, and stakeholders across technical, operational, and administrative functions.

  • Ability to communicate the purpose and value of standards, templates, consistent documentation practices, and policy processes to stakeholders across the organization.

  • Strong project coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments, contributors, deadlines, review cycles, approvals, and document updates simultaneously.

  • Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to identify interdependencies across organizational functions, processes, and documentation sets.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in both in-person and remote environments.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and document development tools.

In addition, preferred requirements include:
  • Experience writing and editing institutional policies, procedures, standards, guidance, compliance-related documents, or technical documentation.

  • Experience developing forms, templates, style guides, editorial standards, and reusable documentation frameworks.

  • Experience applying plain-language principles and user-centered content practices to make policy and technical information easier to find, understand, and use.

  • Experience with SharePoint, content management systems, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, or similar tools used to develop, publish, and maintain documentation.

  • Experience supporting policy process improvement, publishing workflows, documentation governance, or organizational content standards.

  • Experience coordinating document review, approval, publication, revision, and maintenance processes.

  • Experience working in research, higher education, government, scientific, technical, operational, or highly regulated environments.

  • Experience producing documentation that supports quality, compliance, accessibility, consistency, and employee usability.

Physical requirements and working conditions:
  • Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Standards:
  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

  • Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1, General Policy and Responsibilities.

  • Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in Stanford University's Administrative Guide.

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