Friends Committee on National Legislation
Program Assistant Fellowship 2026-2027
Friends Committee on National Legislation, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Program Assistant Fellowship 2026-2027
Join Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) as a Program Assistant Fellowship 2026-2027. Participants serve full‑time staff from September 2026 through July 2027, collaborating with experienced advocates to build expertise in lobbying and advocacy from a public‑interest perspective.
Through the Fellowship, participants will:
Work under the title “Program Assistant,” gaining first‑hand knowledge of the legislative process.
Engage in lobbying, grassroots campaigns, and organizing to support the FCNL mission.
Develop communication skills by drafting action alerts, letters, background reports, and other materials.
Attend congressional committee hearings and coalition meetings, analyzing documents and reports.
Live out Quaker values by advocating for peace and justice.
Serve weekly office front desk shifts, welcoming guests and handling phone calls.
Participants may work on one or more portfolios, including: Justice Reform, Sustainable Energy & Environment, Middle East Policy, Peacebuilding, Nuclear Disarmament & Pentagon Spending, Native American Advocacy, Economic Justice.
Requirements
11‑month commitment; eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship Sep 2026–Jul 2027.
Demonstrated research, analytical, and writing skills.
Strong interest in lobbying, public policy, or advocacy.
Highly motivated with proven ability to manage tasks and deadlines.
Readiness to take initiative and responsibility.
Comfortable working in an office reflecting Quaker testimonies.
Commitment to promote and respect diverse participants.
Preferred Qualifications
1–2 years of relevant public policy or community organization experience.
Proficiency with Quorum or similar software.
Familiarity with congressional procedures.
Collaborative, consultative problem‑solving approach.
Very well‑organized, detail‑oriented, responsive.
Strong organizational, problem‑solving, analytical skills.
Job Commitments
Live within commuting distance to Washington, DC; hybrid office base.
Commit to Fellowship until July 2027; make own housing arrangements.
Attend Annual Meeting/QPPI conference Nov 12–14, 2026 and Friends Changemaker Weekend Mar 2027.
Compensation & Benefits
Hourly $24.85, 37.5‑hour work week.
Relocation reimbursement.
Employer‑paid health, dental, vision insurance.
Generous paid time off.
Commuter benefits (WMATA, Capital Bikeshare).
Monthly internet & telephone stipend.
Wellness initiatives.
Professional development fund.
Application Materials
Cover letter describing yourself, why you want to work at FCNL, and relevant experiences. Include answers to application questions.
Resume (education, work, extracurricular, volunteer experience).
Deadline: January 5, 2026, 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Zone. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
FCNL is an Equal Opportunity Workplace. All Qualified Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Non‑U.S. applicants with a completed U.S. university education are eligible using Optional Practical Training (OPT).
As part of our AJEDI commitment, FCNL strives to make market job offers that are market competitive while maintaining the equilibrium with internal equity of the team. For this reason, all FCNL job offers are final.
Non‑U.S. applicants with a completed university education in the United States are eligible for this fellowship using Optional Practical Training (OPT).
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Through the Fellowship, participants will:
Work under the title “Program Assistant,” gaining first‑hand knowledge of the legislative process.
Engage in lobbying, grassroots campaigns, and organizing to support the FCNL mission.
Develop communication skills by drafting action alerts, letters, background reports, and other materials.
Attend congressional committee hearings and coalition meetings, analyzing documents and reports.
Live out Quaker values by advocating for peace and justice.
Serve weekly office front desk shifts, welcoming guests and handling phone calls.
Participants may work on one or more portfolios, including: Justice Reform, Sustainable Energy & Environment, Middle East Policy, Peacebuilding, Nuclear Disarmament & Pentagon Spending, Native American Advocacy, Economic Justice.
Requirements
11‑month commitment; eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship Sep 2026–Jul 2027.
Demonstrated research, analytical, and writing skills.
Strong interest in lobbying, public policy, or advocacy.
Highly motivated with proven ability to manage tasks and deadlines.
Readiness to take initiative and responsibility.
Comfortable working in an office reflecting Quaker testimonies.
Commitment to promote and respect diverse participants.
Preferred Qualifications
1–2 years of relevant public policy or community organization experience.
Proficiency with Quorum or similar software.
Familiarity with congressional procedures.
Collaborative, consultative problem‑solving approach.
Very well‑organized, detail‑oriented, responsive.
Strong organizational, problem‑solving, analytical skills.
Job Commitments
Live within commuting distance to Washington, DC; hybrid office base.
Commit to Fellowship until July 2027; make own housing arrangements.
Attend Annual Meeting/QPPI conference Nov 12–14, 2026 and Friends Changemaker Weekend Mar 2027.
Compensation & Benefits
Hourly $24.85, 37.5‑hour work week.
Relocation reimbursement.
Employer‑paid health, dental, vision insurance.
Generous paid time off.
Commuter benefits (WMATA, Capital Bikeshare).
Monthly internet & telephone stipend.
Wellness initiatives.
Professional development fund.
Application Materials
Cover letter describing yourself, why you want to work at FCNL, and relevant experiences. Include answers to application questions.
Resume (education, work, extracurricular, volunteer experience).
Deadline: January 5, 2026, 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Zone. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
FCNL is an Equal Opportunity Workplace. All Qualified Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Non‑U.S. applicants with a completed U.S. university education are eligible using Optional Practical Training (OPT).
As part of our AJEDI commitment, FCNL strives to make market job offers that are market competitive while maintaining the equilibrium with internal equity of the team. For this reason, all FCNL job offers are final.
Non‑U.S. applicants with a completed university education in the United States are eligible for this fellowship using Optional Practical Training (OPT).
#J-18808-Ljbffr