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Public Policy Research Entry Level Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NABCA

Public Policy Research Intern

Arlington, VA · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

Job Announcement Public Policy Research Intern National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), located in Arlington, VA, was founded in 1938 and is the national trade association representing ...

A Better Way PAC

Public Policy Development Intern

Largo, FL · On-site

$12.75 - $17/hr

Public Policy Development Intern Department: Public Policy Organization : A Better Way Political ... Mental Health Policy Research: Gather data on mass shootings, addiction, domestic violence, and ...

HISPANIC FEDERATION, INC.

Policy Analyst

Washington, DC

$60K - $65K/yr

Carry out policy and data analysis and related research: Monitor and evaluate New York State policies and legislation. Develop a plan for evaluating and analyzing relevant public and social policies ...

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Public Policy Research Entry Level information

What does a public policy research entry level professional do?

A Public Policy Research Entry Level professional assists in analyzing and evaluating policies, programs, and proposals that affect the public. They typically gather and interpret data, prepare reports, and support senior researchers in policy analysis projects. Their work helps inform policymakers, organizations, and the public about the potential impacts of government actions or legislative changes. These professionals may work for think tanks, government agencies, advocacy groups, or research institutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry-level public policy researcher?

To thrive as an Entry-Level Public Policy Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, research methodology knowledge, and a relevant bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools like Excel, SPSS, or Stata and experience with literature review databases are commonly required. Excellent written communication, critical thinking, and attention to detail help you effectively interpret data and convey findings. These skills are crucial for producing accurate, credible research that informs policy decisions and supports organizational objectives.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry-level public policy researchers, and how can they overcome them?

Entry-level public policy researchers often encounter challenges such as synthesizing large volumes of complex information, meeting tight deadlines, and communicating findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. To overcome these, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, proactively seek mentorship from senior researchers, and practice clear, concise writing. Additionally, collaborating closely with team members and staying updated on relevant policy trends can help new researchers produce impactful work and grow their professional skills.

What is the difference between Public Policy Research Entry Level vs Policy Analyst?

AspectPublic Policy Research Entry LevelPolicy Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in public policy, political science, or related fieldBachelor's or master's degree in public policy, political science, or related field
Work EnvironmentInternships, research projects, government agencies, think tanksGovernment agencies, advocacy groups, research organizations
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level research roles in public policy organizationsMid-level roles analyzing policy impacts and recommendations

Public Policy Research Entry Level positions focus on conducting research, data collection, and supporting policy projects. Policy Analysts build on this foundation, analyzing policies in depth, providing recommendations, and often holding more responsibility. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but Policy Analysts typically have more experience and a broader scope of work.

What cities are hiring for Public Policy Research Entry Level jobs?

Cities with the most Public Policy Research Entry Level job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Policy Research jobs?

The most popular types of Public Policy Research jobs are:

What states have the most Public Policy Research Entry Level jobs?

States with the most job openings for Public Policy Research Entry Level jobs include:

Public Policy Research Entry Level jobs near you

Public Policy Research Intern

Arlington, VA

National Alcohol Beverage Control Association
11 - 50 employees
Learn more about National Alcohol Beverage Control Associationexternal

Internship

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Announcement

Public Policy Research Intern

National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), located in Arlington, VA, was founded in 1938 and is the national trade association representing the jurisdictions that control the distribution and sale of beverage alcohol within their borders. The mission of NABCA is to support member jurisdictions in their efforts to protect public health and safety and ensure responsible and efficient systems for beverage alcohol distribution and sales.

NABCA has an immediate vacancy for a temporary Public Policy Research Intern. The Public Policy team is responsible for policy research and analysis on public policy, public health and public safety issues that are foundational to NABCA's mission. The intern will perform research, data mining, data cleaning, visualization, and other assigned tasks to support the Public Policy data analysis. The intern will assist the Public Policy Team's work to promote public health and safety with control jurisdictions, nonprofit organizations, members, and communities. The Public Policy Research Intern reports to the Director, Public Policy.

NABCA is a Great Place to Work Certified Workplace for 2024/25! Click Here to Learn More! NABCA offers complimentary parking, and offices in a beautiful building conveniently located in the Shirlington area, one block from popular shops and restaurants. The individual selected for this role will have opportunities to meet exceptionally talented managers and colleagues throughout the organization.

Duties: The Public Policy Intern performs the following duties:

  • Completes assignments to support the department's accomplishment of NABCA's strategic public policy and research goals.
  • Assists in identifying meaningful data sources that expand the department's existing portfolio of policy datasets.
  • Performs research and data mining tasks to support statistical reporting projects; collects, transforms, cleans, and validates data from multiple sources as assigned.
  • Prepares basic syntheses and regular updates of research, data and statistical analyses.
  • Uses data and statistical tools and apps to develop basic data models and statistical reports to provide insights for the Public Policy Team as requested; assists with updating public policy dashboards and impact reports as assigned.
  • Participates in meetings; perform special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Pursuit of a bachelor's or master's degree in public policy, public health, or related discipline at an accredited college or university is required. Data science, analytics, statistics, economics, or directly related coursework are highly preferred.
  • Prior internships or employment in public health, public safety, or public policy roles in non-profit or government settings is strongly preferred.
  • An understanding of the research and data needs of the public health, safety or policy fields is a plus.
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills are required.
  • Recent experience using statistical or analytical tools and apps to analyze data is required. Recent experience using Power BI, Tableau, SPSS, SAS, R, etc.is essential.
  • Strong analytical skills and recent experience with data mining, cleaning, and visualization tools are required.
  • Recent experience conducting data mining tasks, to include collecting, transforming, cleaning, and validating data from multiple sources, etc.-is essential.
  • An intermediate level of proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams, and Outlook is required.
  • Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify and resolve data errors are essential.
  • Must possess initiative and be a fast learner who can produce work that is accurate and complete. Strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to meet assignment deadlines is essential.
  • Must be a reliable, professional, flexible, team player with a positive attitude,
  • A strong desire to understand how research and data intersect to advance the public policy, public health or public safety fields is essential.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

EOE/M/F/D

Please note that this is a temporary 10-12-week Intern assignment.

The Public Policy Research Intern selected for this role will generally work 16-24 hours per week.

To Apply: Interested individuals should send resume and cover letter to hradmin@nabca.org by August 25, 2026. Learn more about NABCA at www.nabca.org.

NABCA is a Great Place to Work Certified Workplace for 2024/25! Click Here to Learn More!

NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE!

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