Policy Fellow

February 2026

SUMMARY

NextGen Policy (NGP) is currently seeking a full-time Policy Fellow to work through the end of 2026, with the possibility of an extension into 2027. College graduates and graduate students are encouraged to apply.

HOW YOU WILL BENEFIT 

  • Paid: Policy Fellow will receive compensation to support living expenses.
  • Location: this position is based in downtown Sacramento and on a hybrid schedule of in-office and remote work.
  • Training and Development: The Policy Fellow will work alongside NGP team members with years of experience in the policy, budgetary, programmatic, political, and advocacy fields at the local, state, and national levels of government. Fellows will have an opportunity to work across various policy areas and with legislative and executive branch officials as well as community organizations.
  • Education: Policy Fellow will attend meetings, hearings and events in and around the State Capitol and will develop a proficiency in bill and budget analysis, legislative processes, and nonprofit operations.
  • Networking: Policy Fellow will build relationships with legislative offices, state agency staff, and community-based organizations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Assist with core day-to-day activities of the California policy team including but not limited to: bill and budget tracking, policy analysis, and coalition partner communications.
  • Assist with the monitoring of policy and program issues, state legislation, and media/press.
  • Assist with special events organized by NGP (ability to travel when required).
  • Assist with drafting and editing internal and external communication materials.
  • Conduct necessary research.
  • Perform administrative support and other duties as needed.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to review and strengthen policy analyses for accuracy, clarity and accessibility.
  • Draft and build out initial drafts of one pagers, presentation slides, memos, legislative letters, and more.

WHAT WE REQUIRE

  • Recent college graduates, or graduates from accredited Universities preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Drive applications.
  • Passion for advancing policies and programs focused on equity and justice for all Californians. Interested in diagnosing policy challenges and pulling the right levers to create real change across key policy areas: climate, higher education, workforce development, food insecurity, and digital inclusion.
  • Strong desire to obtain new skills and exposure to working in a professional environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Detail-oriented with the ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines.
  • Creative and flexible.
  • Resourceful and technical.
  • Excellent team player.

COMPENSATION

NextGen Policy offers a full-time fellowship with annual compensation of $65,000–$75,000 plus benefits, based on experience.

TO APPLY

Provide a resume, short cover letter, and relevant social media links by Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. Send all documents as one PDF attachment to: mike.debellis@nextgenpolicy.org. Please name your saved PDF with the title: LastName.FirstName.pdf (Example: Smith.John.pdf).

ABOUT NEXTGEN POLICY

NextGen Policy is a California-based nonprofit organization fighting to advance policies and programs that focus on equity and justice for all Californians. Among other things, our work: protects communities from the impacts of climate change; addresses college access, affordability, and time to completion; develops and implements programs to upskill and train workers seeking good paying jobs; combats hunger and food insecurity, especially among California’s school age kids; and expands access to high quality, affordable broadband services.

 

NextGen Policy is an Equal Opportunity Employer