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.

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.
  
  

Compensation
The starting salary range for this role is $84,000–$94,000, commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities and skills and in alignment with internal equity.

About Protect Democracy

• Flexible location. We are a remote-first organization based exclusively in the United States, meaning our staff work within the US and primarily virtually. We also offer shared workspaces for those who enjoy working in an office environment. All staff are also required to travel at least two times per year to team retreats, and this role also requires periodic travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.)

• Commitment to an inclusive workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthens our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

• Phenomenal benefits. Our benefits package includes generous sick leave and a flexible vacation policy where we encourage team members to take 4-5 weeks every year, along with 12 paid holidays, 6 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately. Additionally, we cover employee medical premiums at 100% (with up to 95% coverage for dependents depending on plan selection), and employee and dependent’s dental/vision at 100%. All employees have access to long-term disability and life insurance, fertility benefits, a home office stipend, and bonuses at the discretion of the Executive Director.

• Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth.

The priority application deadline for this role is March 8, 2026. To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. You will be asked to upload a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please address your interest in Protect Democracy’s mission and how you see the work of this role advancing it. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. We plan to begin interviews when we reach the application deadline.

Important notes

• Contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require specific accommodations at any point in the hiring process.

• Keep an eye on your promotions/spam folders to avoid missed communication.

• We are unable to provide status updates for each application we receive. If you reach out and do not hear back, please know it is not for lack of appreciation or interest, but simply for lack of staff capacity to respond to individual inquiries.

• The application will include a voluntary EEO survey so that we can monitor the applicant pool as a whole for representation and equal employment opportunities, and to evaluate our progress as an organization toward a diverse and inclusive workforce, which we believe is a pillar of a thriving democracy. The categories used by the EEO survey are limited and may not reflect your lived experience; please feel free to opt out of any of the questions. Your responses to this survey are entirely separate from your application materials, are not accessible to those responsible for hiring decisions, and will not affect your candidacy in any way.