LOCATION: Remote, based in the United States

REPORTS TO:  Director of Policy

COMPENSATION: $80,000 - $95,000

The crisis in local news poses a severe threat to democracy and the health of communities. Rebuild Local News believes that in addition to improved business models and increased philanthropy, public policy plays a crucial role.

Rebuild Local News develops public policies to strengthen local news and works on the state and national level to pass effective legislation. We are the leaders in our field: Our path-breaking set of policy initiatives, which we advocate for alongside partners, has helped advance First Amendment-friendly legislation in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Utah. Together, U.S. states have established new public policies directing more than $350 million to local news organizations. We also were involved in the passage of a targeted digital advertising tax in Utah, shaped a “data extraction mitigation fee” in California and have been a leading voice assessing the risks of AI to community news.

Rebuild Local News also runs the Rebuild Local News Coalition, which unites newsrooms, labor unions, and civic organizations committed to revitalizing local journalism. Collectively, the groups in the Coalition represent over 3,000 newsrooms and thousands of journalists, working together to safeguard the future of local news.

We focus on public policies that are nonpartisan, platform agnostic, future-friendly, and content neutral.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a skilled and adaptable policy manager with expertise in AI and tech policy, including understanding of its potential impacts on local news. This role will engage in policy development, analysis, education, bill writing, and advocacy. This role reports to the Director of Policy and will work closely with other members of the team to advance these priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop subject-matter expertise on how AI and tech platforms impact local news providers, including regarding uncompensated usage and as competing consumer products

• Identify public policy options and their relevant tradeoffs for mitigating AI’s negative impacts on the availability of local news, especially at the state level

• Track relevant public policies at the federal and state level (including those related to data centers, intellectual property, antitrust, zoning and tech taxation)

• Coordinate with RLN’s Director of Policy to identify jurisdictions where AI- and tech-focused policies related to local news are likely to be introduced, advanced, or implemented

• Identify, educate, and engage key stakeholders, including local news leaders, lawmakers, civic organizations, and more

• Contribute to RLN resources like model bills, policy guidance, and explainers as well as coalition communications, like newsletters and coalition meetings

• Identify and coordinate with related creative and knowledge sectors for collective action and information sharing

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant education or experience in tech policy analysis or policy creation; training in public policy, economics or the law are a strong plus

• Experience analyzing legislation or working with state legislatures to pass policy

• Comfort working in a fully remote or hybrid work environment

QUALITIES

• Passion for the cause of reviving community news and a pragmatic attitude toward making real-life progress happen

• A strong self-starter, with a reporter-like love for researching new ideas and tracking down strangers to pick their brains

• Collaborative team player with the ability to take initiative, manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, and adapt to changing circumstances

• Ability to learn and grasp the complexities of policy in the local news sector

• Ability to navigate conflict with professionalism

• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate issues and ideas into policy proposals and model bill language 

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy and the ability to meet deadlines

• Comfortable working independently on a fully remote team

• Willingness to travel as necessary for conferences or events

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and professional references via our hiring portal here. Please provide all requested information to be considered. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Rebuild Local News’ benefits package includes generous time off, employer-paid medical, vision, and dental insurance plan options, and a 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution. Employees are also offered voluntary enrollment in a full suite of other health coverage options, including disability insurance, life insurance, Health FSA / Dependent Care FSA, and more.

Rebuild Local News values diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing that a variety of backgrounds and experiences strengthens our ability to create positive change. We are committed to fostering a supportive environment. Rebuild Local News is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

Rebuild Local News believes in fair, transparent, and equitable compensation. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location.