Program Associate

JOB TITLE: Program Associate

PROGRAM: Leaders & International

LOCATION: Denver, CO -Hybrid

SALARY: $58,380 annually

STATUS: Full-time

ABOUT NCSL:

Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four consecutive days every six (6) weeks. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office for four days every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Program Associate is a position within the NCSL Leaders’ Center that requires demonstrated competence in legislative research, analysis, and customer relations. The Program Associate contributes to a range of tasks and projects, both in service of legislative leaders and to further the study of legislative leadership at the state level. The employee must be capable of operating with a high level of organizational expertise, confidentiality, and political acumen. This position will have contact with legislators, legislative staff, and other officials outside of NCSL, including face-to-face discussions or presentations at meetings. Work may be performed independently or as a member of a team. Employees operate largely in support of and at the direction of other staff but may have responsibility for assigned tasks.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Collects and monitors data on the people in leadership positions and the leadership structures in place in state legislatures, using a variety of resources, including available state legislative databases, public and private organizations, direct office contacts and others.
• Prepares concise, accurate, and nonpartisan responses to legislative research requests related to leadership. Responses must demonstrate a high degree of responsiveness to constituents and an understanding of sensitive political contexts.
• Tracks changes in legislative leadership across the country and assists division leadership with analyzing and communicating those changes both internally and publicly.
• Maintains and updates webpages with new research, data, policy, and legislative leadership information. Will create and populate new webpages based on emerging issues, or as assigned.
• Contributes to meeting planning tasks, such as research, background information, and speaker identification, as well as agenda development and pre-planning and on-site support.
• Plans, researches and writes for newsletters, issue briefs, short research reports or articles, though most written products are subject to close review and editing by more senior staff.
• Assists division leadership with communicating to legislative leaders and their staff, and cultivates relationships as opportunities to do so arise through these outreach efforts.
• Coordinates with NCSL staff in other issue areas that overlap with the assigned program.
• May travel to assist with NCSL meetings and other professional development opportunities.
• Performs other responsibilities as needed.

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:

N/A

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT: This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office for four days every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, plus two years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field.
• Subject-specific knowledge is preferred, but not necessary.
• Ability to communicate information, in writing and verbally, in a clear and credible way to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others and to work independently.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Demonstrated competence in research skills and tasks requiring attention to detail, including skill with internet searches; accessing and analyzing government documents, academic reports, white papers, and other resources; and analyzing and synthesizing research and legislation.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously. Ability to work under deadline pressure and adapt to changes in workload.
• Knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of power between the branches of government.
• Ability to travel by air up to 4-6 times per year, with most trips being 3-5 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel.

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:

NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days every six (6) weeks. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office every six (6) weeks for team meetings and professional development. We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:

If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, May 21, 2026 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/about-us/careers. We look forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.