Description

Protect Democracy is seeking a highly motivated Wisconsin-based State Impact Specialist to advance democracy across the state. This role requires exceptional analytical skills, strong coalition-building capabilities, and a nuanced understanding of Wisconsin state government. This is a remote position based in Wisconsin. The priority application deadline for this role is March 8, 2026.

The Impact Specialist will build on Protect Democracy’s recent related advocacy efforts across states, ranging from educating the public and legal audiences as well as legislative advocacy to improve Wisconsin elections. The Impact Specialist will drive integrated advocacy campaigns to prevent the abuse of power and to protect free and fair elections, working in national coordination with other state policy advocates. The Impact Specialist will be responsible for executing policy initiatives, maintaining and expanding relationships with key stakeholders, and serving as an expert representative of the organization to diverse audiences. 

Protect Democracy was formed in late 2016 with an urgent and explicit mission: to prevent our democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. We have since assembled a team of 130+ experts who have served under Democrats and Republicans, and in the senior ranks of other nonprofit, political, or media organizations. Our team includes lawyers, policy experts, legislative advocates, media strategists, writers, data analysts, software developers, and more.

Joining our organization as a Wisconsin State Impact Specialist is an excellent opportunity to make an indelible impact on our democracy. In this position, you’ll ensure fair administration of elections, hold those who abuse their power or the public trust to account, and protect the rights of Wisconsinites to have their voices heard from the public square to the ballot box.

At Protect Democracy, we believe that diversity isn’t just a strength—it’s a necessity for tackling the complex challenges facing our country today. A broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthen our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply.

The State Impact Specialist will:

• Implement multi-pronged strategic campaigns aimed at influencing key political and civic leaders in Wisconsin to rebuild our democratic norms and institutions that are under threat;
• Help maintain and strengthen cross-partisan coalitions of leaders, organizations, and activists in support of strategic campaigns to protect, rebuild, and perfect our democracy;
• Strengthen and expand core strategic partnerships with other organizations, including grassroots groups and advocacy organizations from across the political spectrum;
• Help develop concrete legislative or regulatory advocacy plans, including the preparation of model policy documents and proposed bill language for state-level adoption;
• Work with state agency leaders, lawmakers, experts, and coalitions to advance policy reforms into law;
• Represent the organization on state-based issues as needed, either briefing reporters and providing expert commentary on complex policy issues and solutions or preparing others to do so;
• Proactively monitor, track, and analyze relevant legal or policy updates and trends;
• Support the entire team working on our state-based integrated advocacy approach across the country. 
  
  

Requirements

The ideal candidate brings:

• At least 3-5 years of relevant professional experience, including:
  • Capacity to meet new constituencies, identify emerging partners, and build durable relationships with partners across the political spectrum and advocacy ecosystem;
  • Capacity to design and lead policy development, campaigns, or advocacy initiatives at the federal or state level at a high level of excellence;
• Experience executing complex projects and teams from start to finish, including excellent collaborative organizational skills and results-oriented approach;
• Flexibility and resilience in a fast paced and dynamic environment;
• Ability to support the drafting of concrete legislative or regulatory proposals,
• Excellent judgment about political activism, including what levers can make change happen with limited resources;
• A growth mindset, comfort for giving feedback in all directions, and enthusiasm to work across lines of difference;
• Strong working knowledge with Wisconsin’s political environment and/or the pro-democracy organizational ecosystem in Wisconsin;
• A commitment to the nonpartisan mission of Protect Democracy and to building a more resilient, inclusive democracy.

Preferred, but not required:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree is preferred but not required — the ideal candidate will have a strong, demonstrable legal background, including legislative drafting and statutory/regulatory analysis;
• Familiarity with Wisconsin election law and administration;
• Experience working with the Wisconsin legislature, state and local election officials, and/or other executive branch officials.