J-1 Visa Policy Jobs
Policy positions in the United States span government agencies, think tanks, advocacy organizations, and intergovernmental bodies. Most exchange visitors pursue these roles under the Research Scholar, Specialist, or Government Visitor J-1 program category, each requiring a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and provide sponsorship throughout your placement.
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Get Access To All JobsAt Aircapture, we’re creating and scaling a circular carbon economy to solve what we believe to be our lifetime's most pressing challenge: the climate crisis. We supply commercial and industrial customers with clean CO2 captured from our atmosphere to radically improve the environment, our economy, and our lives. We value building a team of people who represent diverse backgrounds - be it thought, education, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation - to reach our goals. Thank you for considering us.
As a Climate Policy & Carbon Markets Intern, you will play a key role in analyzing carbon dioxide removal (CDR) policy landscapes and carbon market mechanisms, helping inform our policy, business development, and strategic priorities. If you are looking for a research-oriented summer internship where your analysis will contribute to real-world policy and market insights, this role is for you.
This is a full time, Summer opportunity at our research and development facility in Berkeley, California.
Pay rate: $25 per hour, plus up to $400 in travel reimbursement for those relocating from outside of the Bay Area.
What You’ll Do Here
- Conduct research on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) organizations, coalitions, and industry groups to understand the broader policy and ecosystem landscape
- Analyze carbon credit mechanisms and registries across voluntary and compliance markets to evaluate how different approaches apply to emerging CDR and CCU solutions
- Support internal efforts to translate carbon market insights into clear, actionable guidance for the company
- Research global climate forums, including key stakeholders, participation structures, and areas of focus
- Explore pathways for organizational participation in international climate events and working groups
- Review evolving climate policy frameworks and draft texts to identify relevant themes and opportunities for engagement
- Synthesize research into concise memos, briefings, and presentations for internal teams
Your Skills and Abilities Include
- Completed Junior year or equivalent studying Environmental Policy, Public Policy, Economics, Environmental Science, or Political Science
- Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex policy and market information
- Interest in carbon markets, climate policy, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR)
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently on structured, project-based work
Aircapture strives to create a safe, inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace. Every teammate adds to who we are, diversifying our ideas, experiences and viewpoints and makes us stronger. We hope you feel welcome here.
At Aircapture, we’re creating and scaling a circular carbon economy to solve what we believe to be our lifetime's most pressing challenge: the climate crisis. We supply commercial and industrial customers with clean CO2 captured from our atmosphere to radically improve the environment, our economy, and our lives. We value building a team of people who represent diverse backgrounds - be it thought, education, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation - to reach our goals. Thank you for considering us.
As a Climate Policy & Carbon Markets Intern, you will play a key role in analyzing carbon dioxide removal (CDR) policy landscapes and carbon market mechanisms, helping inform our policy, business development, and strategic priorities. If you are looking for a research-oriented summer internship where your analysis will contribute to real-world policy and market insights, this role is for you.
This is a full time, Summer opportunity at our research and development facility in Berkeley, California.
Pay rate: $25 per hour, plus up to $400 in travel reimbursement for those relocating from outside of the Bay Area.
What You’ll Do Here
- Conduct research on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) organizations, coalitions, and industry groups to understand the broader policy and ecosystem landscape
- Analyze carbon credit mechanisms and registries across voluntary and compliance markets to evaluate how different approaches apply to emerging CDR and CCU solutions
- Support internal efforts to translate carbon market insights into clear, actionable guidance for the company
- Research global climate forums, including key stakeholders, participation structures, and areas of focus
- Explore pathways for organizational participation in international climate events and working groups
- Review evolving climate policy frameworks and draft texts to identify relevant themes and opportunities for engagement
- Synthesize research into concise memos, briefings, and presentations for internal teams
Your Skills and Abilities Include
- Completed Junior year or equivalent studying Environmental Policy, Public Policy, Economics, Environmental Science, or Political Science
- Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex policy and market information
- Interest in carbon markets, climate policy, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR)
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently on structured, project-based work
Aircapture strives to create a safe, inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace. Every teammate adds to who we are, diversifying our ideas, experiences and viewpoints and makes us stronger. We hope you feel welcome here.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Policy
Frame your credentials for policy audiences
Policy roles attracting J-1 sponsorship typically require demonstrated subject-matter expertise, not just academic credentials. Build a portfolio of policy memos, legislative analyses, or published briefings before applying, so host organizations can assess your substantive contribution.
Match your program category to your career stage
The J-1 category you qualify for shapes which host organizations will consider you. Current graduate students typically qualify as Interns, early-career professionals as Trainees, and mid-career policy experts with advanced degrees as Specialists or Research Scholars. Applying under the wrong category delays placement.
Search Migrate Mate for J-1-aligned policy employers
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. policy organizations that have hosted international exchange visitors. Filtering by role and sector surfaces host employers already familiar with the DS-2019 process, reducing the education burden you'd carry with a first-time host.
Audit the two-year home residency requirement early
Government Visitor and some Specialist J-1 participants are subject to the two-year home residency requirement, which bars H-1B or green card applications until fulfilled or waived. Determine your status before accepting a placement so your longer-term U.S. work plans stay intact.
Prepare a detailed training plan before the offer stage
Designated sponsors such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE require a signed Training or Program Plan (DS-7002 for Trainees) before issuing your DS-2019. Draft this document collaboratively with your prospective host organization so approval isn't delayed after you've received an offer.
Confirm the host organization understands its compliance role
Policy host organizations are responsible for supervising your exchange activities, maintaining contact with your designated sponsor, and reporting any material changes to your program. Raise this during offer negotiations so both sides understand the administrative obligations before you begin.
Policy jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Policy JobsPolicy J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a policy professional?
It depends on your career stage and the nature of the engagement. Graduate students in policy programs typically qualify as Interns. Early-career professionals with a degree and relevant work experience usually fall under the Trainee category. Mid-career experts placed with research institutions or think tanks commonly use Research Scholar or Specialist. Government officials on diplomatic exchanges may qualify under the Government Visitor category.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a policy role?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the policy employer hosting you. Designated sponsors such as Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or IIE issue your DS-2019 form, oversee compliance with J-1 regulations, and serve as the official point of contact with the State Department. The host organization where you work is legally the host, not the sponsor.
How do I find policy employers willing to host a J-1 exchange visitor?
Migrate Mate lets you search for U.S. policy roles and organizations that have experience hosting international exchange visitors. Many policy employers, particularly think tanks, advocacy groups, and government contractors, have worked with J-1 participants before and understand the DS-2019 and training plan requirements. Starting your search with employers already familiar with the process saves significant time.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to policy J-1 participants?
It can, and it's one of the most consequential details to clarify before accepting a placement. The requirement commonly applies to participants funded by their home government, nationals of countries identified on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List, and those in the Government Visitor category. If it applies to you, you must return home for two years or obtain a waiver before changing to H-1B or permanent resident status.
Can a J-1 policy placement lead to full-time U.S. employment?
A J-1 placement is not a direct path to employment authorization, but it can build the professional relationships and U.S. work history that support a future H-1B or O-1 petition. Some policy host organizations do convert exchange visitors into full-time hires once the J-1 period ends, provided the individual obtains a different work visa. The two-year home residency requirement, if applicable, must be resolved before that transition is possible.
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