Government Jobs for OPT Students

Title: Government Affairs Associate, Judiciary & Democracy

Department: Government Affairs

Status: Non-exempt

Duration: 1 Year from Start Date, extension dependent upon funding

Reports To: Senior Judiciary and Democracy Director

Positions Reporting to this Position: None

Location: Washington, DC

Remote Work Eligibility: Yes; Occasional Office Work (average of two days per week in person in Washington, DC outside of LCV office)

Travel Requirements: Up to 5%

Union: Yes

Job Classification Level: A

Salary Range (depending on qualified experience): $60,343 - $75,949 (effective April 1, 2026)

General Description:

The League of Conservation Voters, Inc. (“LCV”), a non-profit organization, builds political power to protect people and the planet. We envision a world in which tackling the climate crisis, confronting environmental injustice, and strengthening our democracy lead to cleaner and healthier communities, good, well-paying jobs, and a more just, equitable, and sustainable planet for all.

For more than 50 years, LCV has fought for solutions to the interconnected threats our environment and democracy face. We do so by working with and holding elected officials accountable, mobilizing, organizing, and building grassroots power in communities, electing candidates who share our values, and partnering with and supporting our 30+ state affiliates across the country.

LCV is hiring a Government Affairs Associate, Judiciary & Democracy who assist the Senior Judiciary and Democracy Director in leading LCV’s federal advocacy and public education on democracy issues, including combating threats to democracy across all three branches of government; advocating for Supreme Court reform, D.C. statehood, pro-environment and pro-democracy judicial nominees, and national voting rights legislation such as the Freedom to Vote Act and John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act; as well as issues regarding the rule of law, money in politics, government ethics, and civil rights. This position will work closely with members of the Government Affairs department, the cross-departmental democracy team, elected officials and staff, coalition partners and state affiliates, as needed. The ideal candidate has experience with issue advocacy, government affairs, and/or policymaking around democracy and judiciary issues. They should also be highly organized, have strong attention to detail, the ability to represent the organization with elected officials and coalition partners, build and maintain professional relationships, and have a commitment to advancing racial justice and equity as part of all of our efforts.

This position is classified as “Occasional Office Work”, which means the position does not have a regular schedule for working in an office but sometimes they will need to work from the office on a schedule that has no day(s) per week commitment. This position is expected to conduct in-person work in Washington, DC outside of the LCV office an average of two days per week.

This job operates in a professional office or home office environment, and routinely uses standard office equipment including, but not limited to, computers, phones, photocopiers, and audiovisual systems. This position is largely sedentary, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. The person in this position frequently communicates with internal and external stakeholders using electronic platforms.

Applicants must be located in and legally authorized to work in the United States. Applicants must reside in the location listed above.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Senior Judiciary and Democracy Director in educating decision-makers, allies, and the public on the following issue areas:
• The impact of the courts on the environment, public health, environmental justice, voting rights, campaign finance, civil rights, and access to democracy, and on the need for judges who reflect our country’s diversity and have experience working for the public interest;
• The importance of reforming, expanding, and rebalancing the United States Supreme Court so that it protects our environment, democracy, and civil rights;
• The importance of protecting and advancing the democratic rights of the people of Washington, D.C., including statehood and home rule; and,
• The importance of expanding access to the ballot, protecting voting rights for all people in this country, and opposing racially discriminatory voting restrictions, such as the SAVE Act.
• Directly lobby or advocate for judiciary and democracy priorities, centered in racial justice and equity, with Members of Congress and staff.
• Work closely with key staff across departments to engage LCV’s members, state affiliates, Congressional champions, coalition allies, and donors on democracy and judiciary issues, and generate earned media coverage about judicial nominees and democracy issues.
• Research, track, and analyze nominees, legislation, and judicial actions, and the impact of them on environmental, democracy, and racial justice issues for a variety of audiences, including the broader public, LCV membership, earned media, paid media, social media, policy-makers and donors.
• Participate in federal democracy and judicial nominations coalitions and support environmental partners in their judiciary and democracy work.
• Conduct in-person work in Washington, DC on average two days per week for meetings, events, and hearings on Capitol Hill and other partners’ office locations, and other responsibilities, as needed.
• Travel up to 5% for in-person work outside of Washington, DC, including for events, staff retreats, meetings, conferences, and professional development opportunities, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Work Experience: Required - At least one year of experience working in judiciary or democracy policy, issue advocacy, political campaigns, government, or related work. Preferred - JD degree from an accredited law school.

• Skills: Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills. Well-organized; hard-working; thorough and detail-oriented; strong research and critical thinking skills; able to manage multiple tasks at once and work across departments to achieve shared goals; thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment; exhibits a professional demeanor and able to maintain confidentiality; demonstrated relationship building skills. Experience working with teams representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspectives. A sense of teamwork and community, collaborative with an ability to work closely with a diverse set of allies. Commitment to environmental protection, democracy, fair courts, civil rights, and the mission of LCV.

• Racial Justice and Equity Competencies: Demonstrated awareness of how one’s life experiences influence one’s personal attitudes, biases, and assumptions. Demonstrated commitment to continual learning and ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Understands how environmental issues intersect with racism, economic and social inequality in the U.S. and has a passion for working to dismantle these systems.

LCV offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes vacation, sick and parental leave, personal days, paid holidays, health insurance (two plan options for staff to choose from), dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance (short- and long-term), Flexible Spending Account, 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contribution, commuter benefits program, sabbatical, and student loan assistance.

Apply by April 6, 2026. No phone calls please.

All applicants must include the month and year for the experience provided on their uploaded resume. Final resumes must be completed and submitted at the time of application, and should include all relevant experience to meet the minimum requirements and for salary considerations. Applications are reviewed by humans; we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the hiring process.

Pre-employment Screening

All employment is contingent upon the completion of a background check, employment verifications and reference checks.

LCV is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected status. LCV is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the employee selection process, including, completing the application, interviewing, or pre-employment testing, please contact hr@lcv.org.