POSITION TITLE: Policy Fellow
REPORTS TO: Federal Policy Director
LOCATION: This position is Oregon-based. Currently, most staff work virtually from home; however, they are required to occasionally attend in-person meetings at our offices in Kiln Coworking Space, located at 1120 SE Madison Street, Portland, OR 97214. Employees may use the office space if desired. OCJ's standard work schedule is between 8 AM and 5 PM Pacific, with flexibility possible. Willingness and ability to occasionally work evenings and/or weekends are required.
SALARY RANGE: $50,000 - $60,000
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ) is a statewide organization dedicated to expanding and protecting the rights of consumers, advancing justice for every Oregonian. We strengthen and safeguard Oregon consumers' rights through advocacy, community engagement, and the law. Together, we're stopping unfair and predatory practices that strip wealth and resources from our families and communities. Learn more at ocj.org.
In addition to the role responsibilities, staff are expected to model our organizational values in service of our mission to advance a justice movement that puts people first. Our values are equity, abundance, interconnection, integrity, trust, and courage. Learn more at ocj.org/about/who-we-are.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY
OCJ sits at the intersection of law, policy, coalition, and community advocates, and Oregon consumers, with a particular commitment to those consumers and communities most harmed by predatory and fraudulent practices. All roles at OCJ will require a willingness to share power, collaboration and teamwork, empathy, radical listening, adaptive communications skills, openness to learning and failure and growth, a capacity to embrace discomfort and resolve conflicts, racial awareness, and experience recognizing intersectionality and identity, and personal reflection. All employees at OCJ will be asked to participate in ongoing work to develop strong internal and external systems that support movement towards equity and justice.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ) Policy Fellow is a one-year program designed to provide emerging professionals with in-depth experience in policy research, analysis, and advocacy in the field of consumer justice. The limited-duration (12-month) full-time position is open to individuals who have completed a graduate program in the last two years. The Policy Fellow is a key member of the policy team, supporting policy development and legislative work through research, analysis, and development of written materials on consumer justice topics within a supportive, learning environment.
Essential functions of this position include:
Professional Development
- Participate in training and development opportunities, including receiving mentorship from OCJ team members, to enhance knowledge and skills in consumer policy, advocacy, and public service.
- Attend webinars, workshops, and conferences related to consumer justice topics.
- In collaboration with the Federal Policy Director, serve as a mentor for OCJ Policy Interns.
- Serve as a project lead for a policy-related project jointly determined by the Fellow and the Federal Policy Director.
Support OCJ's policy work
- Track outside research on priority policy areas.
- Prepare Issue briefs in collaboration with communications staff to support OCJ issue campaigns.
- Analyze social, economic, court, and other data to identify the impact of public policies on populations most often targeted by predatory practices, including communities of color, older adults, and people living with disabilities.
- Research and develop materials for co-learning opportunities with community-based organizational partners.
Support OCJ's Legislative Agenda
- Draft and present testimony with guidance from the Federal Policy Director.
- Research and draft talking points and one-pagers.
- Support and collaborate with partners on joint projects.
- Schedule and participate in legislative meetings.
Support OCJ's Regulatory Agenda
- Track state regulatory actions and support OCJ's participation in rules advisory committees.
- Track regulatory actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, and other relevant federal agencies, and draft OCJ comments for proposed rules.
ABOUT YOU:
Qualifications:
- BA in a relevant topic is preferred. Recent graduate degree, including but not limited to JD, MSW, MPP.
- Prior experience in policy research, analysis, advocacy, or related fields is preferred, but not required.
- Familiarity with legislative and regulatory processes and how they impact consumers is a plus.
The following are attributes that will contribute to success in this role:
- The ability to communicate in languages in addition to English is a plus
- Strong interest in consumer rights, policy research, and social justice
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The initial application review will take place on July 11, 2025. The phases we anticipate in this process include: 1) reviewing your application materials, 2)an initial phone interview, and 3) up to two panel interviews. If you are asked to interview onsite, which we do not expect, we strive to provide maximum flexibility in scheduling and will provide as much notice as possible.
OCJ values a diverse team and encourages people of color, women, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from historically underrepresented groups to apply.
OCJ is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, and all other employment decisions are conducted in a manner that does not discriminate based on race, national origin, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, military status, or marital or family status.
We want to ensure all interested candidates can be considered for this opportunity. To request an accommodation, please contact our Human Resources Consultant, Workplace Change, at HR@workplacechanges.com.
JOB EFFORT AND CONDITIONS
The following capabilities are required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the organization are available to address the following requirements:
- Prolonged periods sitting (or standing) at a desk and working on a computer
- Ability to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands; lift, carry, and place items of up to 15 pounds
- Ability to use keyboards and a variety of peripherals
- Willingness and ability to travel occasionally within Oregon and nationally for meetings, events, and conferences are required.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
- Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000. OCJ will review finalist qualifications to determine the most competitive and equitable offer possible within this range
- 120 hours of paid vacation time
- 12 paid floating holidays, and 3 paid fixed holidays
- 120 hours of paid sick/personal time annually
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees. HSA plan available if desired
- $600 annual Health and Wellness Stipend
- $250 remote work/home office set-up stipend and $50 per month internet stipend.
- Flexible Spending Account
- Flexible, inclusive hybrid-work environment
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are due by July 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM. The initial review of applications will happen continuously as applications are received.
Please apply at this link https://ocj.bamboohr.com/careers/30
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE HIRING PROCESS
OCJ is committed to a human-centered approach, and that begins in our hiring process. The following gives you an idea of what to anticipate in our hiring process to support a transparent, consistent, and considerate experience for all candidates.
Our hiring process is set up to move quickly; however, it can span from just a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the organization's work and the availability of staff to support our robust process. We will communicate our timing expectations throughout.
Candidates who advance to interview rounds can anticipate a brief phone screen and up to three conversations with various OCJ staff members and stakeholders. OCJ will send interview questions to each candidate a day in advance.
We encourage candidates to interview us as well throughout the process, ask questions, and ensure that the role, culture, and values at OCJ align with your goals.
Hiring Timeline
We anticipate the hiring process to follow the schedule below:
- Job Posted: June 9, 2025
- Applications Due: July 10, 2025
- Phone screening scheduled and held by July 23, 2025
- Interviews scheduled and held: By August 8, 2025
- Optional Final interviews scheduled and held: By August 12, 2025
- Decision: By August 18, 2025
- Anticipated start date: September 8, 2025