Policy Fellow

Position Description

CJC POLICY FELLOW

2025/2026

Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is a workforce development intermediary that keeps jobseekers at the center of all we do. CJC advocates for jobseekers, by researching current pressing matters for the field, develop recommendations and share them broadly to create systemic change. CJC builds capacity for the workforce development field, by developing curriculum thats offered through trainings, cohort learning and leadership academies based on our research of best practices. CJC influences City, State and Federal Policies related to increasing funding for our public workforce system, creating equitable pathways and eliminating barriers to employment. Our Mission: Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re-imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment. Our Vision is to create an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity so that everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty.

Policy Fellow Responsibilities:

The Policy Fellow supports CJCs policy advocacy work focused on creating better access to family-sustaining employment and decreasing economic disparities experienced by people of color. The Policy Fellow is a valued member of CJCs policy team that helps us advance our strategic goals, including creating equitable career pathways and skill-building opportunities through the public workforce development system, reducing systemic barriers to employment, and ensuring that public investments in job creation and economic development benefit people who are the most marginalized in the labor market. The Policy Fellow also provides administrative support to coalition tables convened by CJC.

Project activities include:

• Compiling, synthesizing, and distilling information to create advocacy materials and internal research memos and to move projects forward;
• Providing administrative support to CJC stakeholder engagement activities such as meetings, focus groups, and surveys;
• Providing administrative support to coalition tables convened by CJC;
• Participating in meetings with key city and state-level administrative entities related to a particular area of policy work;
• Tracking the status of state and federal legislation that is relevant to our policy work;
• Working with colleagues to develop agendas for and facilitate meetings/events with stakeholders;
• Providing technical assistance to service providers and other practitioners, including responding to information requests and helping practitioners connect;
• Providing technical assistance to the director and advocacy manager while the Illinois General Assembly is in session;
• Developing expertise on a particular workforce development policy, program model, and/or population served;
• Assist in developing reports, blog posts, memos, policy white papers, and research-based policy papers.
• Conducting research and data collection to support workforce development policy initiatives, programs, and funding analysis. Reading, summarizing, and synthesizing reports to provide insights relevant to CJCs work.
• Drafting content such as blog posts, social media posts, and infographics to support the policy team's social media and communications.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Commitment to the advancement of CJCs organizational mission.
• Clear, concise, and persuasive written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical ability.
• Possess self-starting work habits that demonstrate a clear understanding of CJCs priorities and responsibilities while being open to receiving direction.
• Participates well in a team, including listening to and respecting team members ideas, being willing to assist with other team members projects, displaying adaptability when a change is made, and being open to incorporating team feedback on written communications.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills allow for the handling of multiple and competing priorities while meeting shortand long-term deadlines.
• Ability to think systematically and make recommendations based on thorough research.
• Proficiency with computer applications in Windows environment and Google Suite; proficiency with (or ability to learn quickly) web-based survey tools and internal database applications.

Other Information

CJC has a hybrid work culture. This position is ideal for a Graduate student willing to commit 20-24 hours/week (3 days/week) with some scheduling flexibility. The role will start in September and end in May/June of the following year. We plan fellowship start and end dates that align closely with our Policy work calendar from September to May. This position includes a stipend of $3,000 when the fellowship is completed.

Applications timeline: March 1-March 31st

Interview timeline: April 1st-April 18th

Anticipated start date: September 8th

Application Process

To apply to this position, please submit a resume and cover letter via our BambooHR system.

The Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is committed to building an inclusive staff. It strongly encourages applications from individuals of color, people with disabilities, individuals with diverse backgrounds, and those whose life experience is underrepresented in employment programs and policies.

CJC recognizes that systemic, institutional, and individual racism creates disparities in the way people of color fare in the labor market. We are continuously working to review and update our practices, policies, and procedures using a racial equity lens to achieve more equitable outcomes for all.