Policy Research Assistant

The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is a public policy research think tank that is focused on creating a stronger and more equitable economy in NYC. Our research methods combine journalism with traditional policy analysis to publish accessible, fact-based reports. We elevate critical and often overlooked issues onto the radar of public officials and spur policy changes to expand economic opportunity for all New Yorkers.

Over the years, CUF has put forth concrete ideas for city and state policymakers that have influenced policies on helping New York’s college students achieve college and career success, supporting immigrant entrepreneurs, preparing for the green economy, bolstering public libraries, expanding apprenticeships and tech training programs, scaling up small businesses, strengthening human services organizations, sustaining artists, closing racial disparities in the city’s economy, improving services for older New Yorkers, and more.

In the months ahead, CUF will step up our work outlining innovative and achievable ideas for building more equitable boroughs, keeping NYC competitive, supporting city parks and open spaces, centering CUNY as part of the city's economic development plan, and preparing New Yorkers for jobs in the green economy.

The Center seeks Policy Research Assistants with experience or degrees in public policy, journalism, urban planning, economics, government, social science, or related fields. During this internship, interns will contribute to and learn about the research and editorial processes of a think tank and how research can help guide, inspire, and spark policy change. 

CUF interns have gone on to work in city council and the mayor’s office, news publications, urban planning firms, non-profit organizations, research institutions, and philanthropy groups. Examples include: National League of Cities, Mayor’s Office of the Chief Climate Officer, The Atlantic, NYS Office of the Inspector General, Bloomberg News, NYC Office of Management and Budget, The World Bank, and The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute. 

We encourage people with a passion for building a stronger city to apply. Applicants should have some of the following experience and skills.

Responsibilities include:  

• Conducting background research to guide new and existing projects.
• Writing policy memos and drafting report text.
• Conducting phone/video interviews, and submitting memos based on findings and key themes.
• Pulling, cleaning, and analyzing data from sources such as the US Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and American Community Survey.
• Contributing to the report production process by proof-reading, fact-checking, and editing.
• Developing source lists for research outreach.
• Keeping up to date on local city and state policy, including attending hearings and presentations.

Skills and attributes we seek are:​

• Strong writing skills.
• Strong oral communications skills.
• Ability to synthesize ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to conduct effective interviews over the phone and in person.
• High level of competency in Microsoft Office, with proficiency in Excel.
• Attention to detail.
• Time management and multi-tasking. This role will require managing several tasks, prioritizing them based on a variety of timelines, and pivoting to different tasks as deadlines are modified.
• Willingness to learn. They must be willing to learn new skills, approaches, and tactics, and openness to working on a variety of assignments.
• Goal-oriented perspective. They must be able to grasp the broader organizational goals and think strategically about how to accomplish them through individual assignments.
• An interest in economic development, journalism, urban planning, workforce development, and higher education issues.
• PLUS: Some experience with public data sources like the US Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Requirements:  

• Must be able to commit to working at least 20 hours a week, within the operating hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.
• Must be able to come into the office at least twice a week during open office hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

This is an hourly paid internship. In order to apply, please send a resume and cover letter to intern @ nycfuture.org with "Policy Research Internship (cohort)" in the subject line. We are currently hiring for our Summer (May to August) cohort. Applications will close on May 5—early applications are highly encouraged.

Only applications received via email will be considered.

We maintain a friendly and open working environment and encourage people of all backgrounds: age, race, ethnicity, gender, creed, and sexual orientation to apply.