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Public Policy Advisor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Policy Advisor

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$144K - $177K/yr

Lead regional public policy strategy, legislative advocacy, and regulatory engagement across the San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco, North Bay, East Bay, and Silicon Valley/San Jose). * Serve as ...

Public Policy Manager

Estherville, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Cresco, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Le Mars, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Sibley, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Spencer, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Rock Rapids, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Rock Valley, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Hawarden, IA · On-site

$70K - $106K/yr

The Public Policy Manager serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, aligning advocacy efforts with organizational goals that improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. What you will do

Public Policy Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$148K - $174K/yr

As a trusted advisor to U.S. Bank leadership, you will prepare them to engage on public policy issues on the company's behalf. You will foster and develop U.S. Bank leadership in trade associations ...

Posted today

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Public Policy Advisor information

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$44K

$104.8K

$156.5K

How much do public policy advisor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for public policy advisor in the United States is $104,760.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $127,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public policy advisor?

Public Policy Advisors are professionals who analyze, develop, and recommend policies to address societal issues for governments, organizations, or advocacy groups. They research current laws and regulations, assess the impact of proposed policies, and provide expert guidance to decision-makers. Their work often involves engaging with stakeholders, preparing reports, and advising on the potential consequences of policy changes. Public Policy Advisors play a crucial role in shaping legislation and programs that affect the public.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public policy advisor?

To thrive as a Public Policy Advisor, you need strong analytical skills, policy research expertise, and a background in political science, law, or public administration. Familiarity with legislative databases, policy analysis tools, and often a relevant advanced degree or certification is common. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills help you effectively advocate and collaborate with stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for shaping impactful policies, influencing decision-makers, and navigating complex governmental environments.

What are some common challenges public policy advisors face when balancing stakeholder interests?

Public Policy Advisors often navigate complex situations where diverse stakeholders—such as government agencies, community groups, and private organizations—have competing interests. One key challenge is mediating these interests to develop policies that are practical, equitable, and aligned with broader organizational goals. Advisors must use strong communication and negotiation skills to build consensus and ensure policies are both effective and widely supported. This requires staying informed about current events, regulatory changes, and stakeholder perspectives, as well as maintaining transparency throughout the policy development process.

What is the difference between Public Policy Advisor vs Policy Analyst?

AspectPublic Policy AdvisorPolicy Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Public Policy, Political Science, or related fields; experience in policy developmentBachelor's or Master's in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, or related fields; research skills
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, think tanks, advocacy groups; strategic planning and stakeholder engagementResearch institutions, government, NGOs; data analysis and report writing
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in government, non-profits, consulting firms for policy development and advocacyCommon in research organizations, government departments, and consulting for policy evaluation

While both roles focus on policy work, Public Policy Advisors typically engage in strategic planning, stakeholder communication, and advocacy, whereas Policy Analysts concentrate on research, data analysis, and policy evaluation. The roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope and focus within the policy development process.

Is public policy a high paying job?

Public policy advisors typically earn salaries that are competitive within government and nonprofit sectors, with pay varying based on experience, education, and location. While some positions offer high salaries, especially in senior or specialized roles, many entry-level positions have moderate pay compared to private sector roles. Advanced degrees and strong analytical skills can lead to higher compensation in this field.

What does a public policy advisor do?

A public policy advisor analyzes, develops, and promotes policies to influence government decisions and public affairs. They conduct research, prepare reports, and communicate with stakeholders to support policy goals, often working with government agencies, advocacy groups, or private organizations. Strong analytical, communication, and understanding of legislative processes are essential skills for this role.
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Infographic showing various Public Policy Advisor job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 78% In-person, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,760 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Policy Advisor

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Waymo
Internet and IT • 1 - 5K employees

$144K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver-The World's Most Experienced Driver™-to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.
The Waymo Policy and Government Affairs team has a front seat in this exciting moment in the evolution of autonomous driving technology, transportation and tech policy. Successful navigation of the policy landscape is critically important to deploying and scaling our business. Our team works directly with policymakers and third party groups at the national, state and local levels to help advance transportation policy, educate on the safety benefits of the technology, and advance consumer awareness and acceptance. Internally, our efforts support the innovative work of engineering, product, strategy, and partnerships teams, and we work closely with highly-skilled legal and safety experts.
This role is based in the SF Bay Area and will be based in either the SF or Mountain View offices and reports to the Regional Head of the West
You will:
  • Lead regional public policy strategy, legislative advocacy, and regulatory engagement across the San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco, North Bay, East Bay, and Silicon Valley/San Jose).
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for city councils, county boards of supervisors, regional transit authorities, and local Departments of Transportation (DOTs).
  • Partner cross-functionally with Public Affairs, the First Responder Ambassador team, and Regional Policy leads to ensure aligned messaging and operational continuity.
  • Track, analyze and develop policy positions on relevant municipal ordinances and regional policy initiatives.
  • Represent the company at public hearings, council meetings, community roundtables, and industry coalition working groups.
  • Build coalitions with local business associations, civic leaders, and community groups to advance key policy priorities.

You have:
  • 5+ years of experience in local government affairs, municipal public policy, or legislative advocacy in the SF Bay Area
  • Demonstrated track record of building effective relationships with elected officials, agency staff, and community stakeholders.
  • Deep knowledge of Bay Area municipal governance, local legislative processes, and regional transportation/infrastructure agencies.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience aligning policy goals alongside operations, comms, and safety team
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and public-speaking skills with the ability to distill complex technical issues for civic audiences.

We prefer:
  • Background in mobility, autonomous vehicles, micromobility, logistics, or emerging technology policy.

Travel:
  • 40% local travel across the greater San Francisco Bay Area for municipal meetings, stakeholder engagement, and community events, with occasional trips to corporate headquarters.

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.
Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo's discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.
Salary Range
$144,000-$177,000 USD