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Jobs /Director of Policy

Director of Policy (Washington, DC or Berkeley, CA)

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About CivAI

CivAI is a non-profit that educates policymakers and the public about AI risks using live software demonstrations. To date, CivAI has delivered 200+ briefings to organizations across civil society (on AI-cyber risks, deepfakes, and elder fraud) and the US government (on biological risks, elections, and more). Its work has been featured on national television by ABC News and Scripps News, and in print by the New York Times, the Washington Post, TIME, CNN, and many others.

CivAI regularly meets with policymakers, their staffs, and other high-leverage audiences to present our software demonstrations. As a 501(c)(3), CivAI does not make specific policy recommendations. Instead, CivAI acts in an educational capacity to provide a visceral understanding of AI capabilities and risks.

About the role

As Director of Policy, you will lead our work engaging with key stakeholders across Congress and the U.S. government. You will be responsible for managing government and legislative relationships, toward the goal of presenting CivAI’s work to high-leverage audiences in order to educate them on AI capabilities and risks. Depending on fit, you may also present CivAI’s software demonstrations to these offices yourself, both virtually and in person.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions about this role, please email us at [email protected].

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In this role, you will:

  • Coordinate and conduct meetings with policymakers to present software demos, sometimes in tandem with partners in the AI policy ecosystem
  • Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with policymakers and their staffs
  • Track and analyze developments in AI policy, including drafting brief internal and external reports to inform broader strategy
  • Hone CivAI’s strategy for engaging policymakers with compelling presentations, balancing timely policy opportunities with longer-term strategic goals
  • Identify emerging trends in AI development and AI safety that create new opportunities for demonstrations and presentations
  • Represent CivAI at meetings and conferences among high-leverage audiences
  • Maintain a significant DC presence regardless of where you’re based. If you’re based in the Bay Area, expect frequent travel to Washington for meetings, demos, and network building

You may be a good fit if you:

  • Have 2+ years of experience in government, nonprofit, think tank, or corporate policy or government affairs roles
  • Possess a strong network of existing relationships across government and policy
  • Have a record of experience meeting with, communicating to, and managing relationships with policymakers
  • Have relevant background in AI, technology, national security, or similar policy areas
  • Feel comfortable navigating complex political landscapes and evaluating where to build relationships
  • Want to help high-leverage audiences understand AI’s implications, so that future AI progress is deliberate and beneficial for humanity

Salary and benefits

  • The role is full-time, and is open to candidates working either in Washington, DC or at our office in Berkeley.
  • The salary range is $130,000 to $200,000.
  • Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
  • Catered lunch and dinner at our office every weekday.
  • We are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Application process

  • Initial application (1.5 hrs) — Resume and short answer questions.
  • Hiring manager interview (1 hr) — We’ll work through a problem together and discuss current priorities at CivAI.
  • Team interview (45 min) — You’ll have a conversation with another member of our team.
  • Written take-home test (3 hrs) — You’ll be given a take-home challenge.
  • Reference checks — We’ll reach out to the references you provide.
  • Final round interview (4 hrs) — You’ll meet with our team in person in Berkeley, CA.

CivAI is an equal opportunity workplace, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, socioeconomic status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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