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Political Fellow Jobs (NOW HIRING)

New York Reporting Fellow

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$54K - $73K/yr

New York Reporting Fellow We are seeking an energetic, curious early-career journalist to join our ... Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in journalism, communications, political science ...

New York Reporting Fellow

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$54K - $73K/yr

New York Reporting Fellow We are seeking an energetic, curious early-career journalist to join our ... Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in journalism, communications, political science ...

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$47K - $65K/yr

D. in an area such as Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, or Sociology with a focus on ... The focus of this postdoctoral fellowship will be on International Policy. Examples of topical ...

Showing results 21-40

Political Fellow information

See salary details

$25K

$59K

$83.5K

How much do political fellow jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for political fellow in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a political fellow?

Political Fellows are individuals who participate in fellowship programs designed to provide hands-on experience in politics, policy, or government. These fellowships often involve working closely with elected officials, political organizations, or advocacy groups, and may include responsibilities like policy research, event planning, communications, and constituent outreach. Political Fellows typically gain valuable insights into the political process, expand their professional networks, and develop skills relevant to public service or political careers. Programs may vary in length, focus, and eligibility requirements, but they generally aim to prepare participants for future leadership roles in the political sphere.

What are some common challenges political fellows face when transitioning from academic studies to hands-on policy work?

Political Fellows often experience a shift from theoretical learning to the fast-paced, practical demands of policy and advocacy work. Adapting to tight deadlines, managing multiple projects, and navigating the complexities of stakeholder engagement can be challenging. Fellows typically work closely with seasoned professionals, which provides valuable mentorship but also requires strong communication and collaboration skills. Embracing feedback and remaining flexible are key to thriving in this dynamic environment.

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

To thrive as a Political Fellow, you need a solid understanding of political science, public policy, and current affairs, often supported by a relevant degree or prior policy experience. Familiarity with data analysis tools, legislative tracking software, and research databases is typically required. Strong written and verbal communication, analytical thinking, and networking abilities are crucial soft skills for this role. These qualities enable Political Fellows to effectively support policy initiatives, contribute to research, and build relationships with stakeholders.

What is the difference between Political Fellow vs Policy Analyst?

AspectPolitical FellowPolicy Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree, often in political science, public policy, or related fieldsUsually a bachelor's or master's degree in public policy, political science, or economics
Work EnvironmentInternship or temporary position within government, nonprofit, or political organizationsResearch-focused role in think tanks, government agencies, or consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by political campaigns, government offices, and advocacy groupsCommon in policy research organizations, government departments, and consulting firms

While both roles involve engagement with public policy and politics, a Political Fellow typically participates in internships or temporary programs to gain experience, whereas a Policy Analyst conducts research and analysis to inform policy decisions. The roles often overlap in skills and industry usage, but differ mainly in scope and career stage.

More about Political Fellow jobs
Infographic showing various Political Fellow job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Advocacy Fellow (#DegreesNYC)

GODDARD RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$17/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Collaborate on advocacy campaigns, workshops, and events to promote #DegreesNYC's policy priorities.

  • Use storytelling tools such as testimonies, panel discussions, and op-eds to elevate youth voices and influence change.

  • Engage with elected officials, institutional leaders, and youth organizations to advocate for educational equity and build partnerships.


Job description

Intro/Program Description: #DegreesNYC is a data-informed collective impact movement co-led with young people for fair education pathways in NYC. #DegreesNYC works to reimagine education and promote student-ready schools. The Advocacy Fellows participate in the Advocacy Fellowship. The Fellows collaborate on advocacy campaigns, workshops, and events to educate and advance #DegreesNYC's policy priorities.
The Advocacy Fellows also participate in the Youth Council. The #DegreesNYC Youth Council draws upon the lived experiences of young people to educate, advocate, and create positive change in their communities. They seek to enhance #DegreesNYC's work toward a more just, equitable and student-ready education system. They do this by elevating youth voice, promoting civic engagement and developing youth leadership.
Position Description: #DegreesNYC is the primary driver of Goddard Riverside's educational advocacy agenda. Working under the Youth Council Co-Coordinator for Advocacy, Fellows lead and support advocacy campaigns aligned with #DegreesNYC's policy priorities. They use storytelling tools such as testimonies, panel discussions, and op-eds to elevate youth voices and influence change. Fellows also engage directly with elected officials and institutional leaders to advocate for student-ready schools and campuses that support young people holistically throughout their academic journeys.
In addition to advocacy work, Fellows help build lasting partnerships with other youth-led and youth-centered organizations focused on educational justice. They identify opportunities for collaboration that strengthen the collective impact of the movement. Advocacy Fellows also work closely with Data Fellows on the Youth Council to inform and support #DegreesNYC's data-driven goals. They will also work with the Data Co-Op and Learning Network, a collective of stakeholder organizations focused on data issues, especially public data systems in New York City and State.
Position Summary: The Advocacy Fellows ground #DegreesNYC's advocacy and policy efforts in youth voice. As our campaigns aim to advance educational equity, the Advocacy Fellows play a key role in sharing their lived experiences and amplifying those of their peers through storytelling, public testimony, and youth-centered events.
The Advocacy Fellows have the responsibility and power to shape the direction of our advocacy work by identifying priorities that matter most to young people and pushing for change through direct engagement with decision-makers.
Schedule: December 2025 - June 2026 (Up to 10 hours a week)
Hourly Rate: $17.00/hr
Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties
  • Create media toolkits that promote #DegreesNYC events and Youth Council priorities
  • Engage parents and family members of students to collect testimonies, participate in workshops, and recruit for focus groups
  • Establish strategic partnerships with students and youth-centered organizations
  • Connect with other youth advocacy groups and youth-led organizations whose values align with #DegreesNYC and encourage collaborative initiatives
  • Collaborate with the Data Fellows to support the priorities of the #DegreesNYC Youth Council
  • Attend and participate in events, meetings, and hearings that support #DegreesNYC's Policy Agenda
  • Attend weekly check-in meetings with the Youth Council Co-Coordinator for Advocacy
  • Attend the #DegreesNYC team meeting at least once a month and weekly meetings with the Youth Council

Qualifications/Educational Requirements
  • Must be a current NYC high school junior or senior, a current college student, or taking a gap year

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Interested in youth advocacy/empowerment
  • Able to commit to working 10 hours a week and join regular, recurrent meetings
  • Able to attend the in-person strategy meetings once a month at the Options Center
  • Access to Wi-Fi and a computer
  • Community organizing and political activism experience is a plus

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
  • Hybrid

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.
Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.