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Equity in Civic Technology Fellow

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is seeking a Fellow with policy, research, and/or legal expertise relevant to engage on federal and state agencies’ use of AI to deliver government services. The Fellow will contribute to the work of CDT’s Equity in Civic Technology team, which focuses on ensuring government uses of data and technology that affirm individual privacy, respect civil rights, foster inclusive participatory systems, promote transparent and accountable oversight, and advance just social structures within the broader community.

As part of CDT’s Equity in Civic Technology team, the Fellow will have the opportunity to shape cutting-edge efforts to incorporate responsible AI into the delivery of public benefits and other government services, while mitigating risks of bias and inequities. The Civic Tech team does this by providing balanced advocacy that promotes the responsible use of data and technology while protecting people’s privacy and civil rights. We engage with these issues from both technical and policy-minded perspectives, creating solutions-oriented policy resources and actionable technical guidance.

The Fellow will contribute by conducting original research, writing, and issuing recommendations on questions that are core to the 2023 AI Executive Order, which presents a significant opportunity to ensure the government’s use of AI sets a high bar. The Fellow will contribute to CDT’s robust body of work on AI policy and governance, with a particular focus on how federal agencies and the Office of Management Budget support agencies’ responsible use of AI, and how state governments may draw on the AI Executive Order in their own jurisdictions. The work will include:

  • Researching, drafting, and filing comments in federal agency proceedings along with mobilizing and supporting other experts in civic technology and groups representing impacted communities to do the same.
  • Conducting public writing, press commentary and other engagement on ways to support federal and state agencies establishing guardrails and best practices for AI procurement, development, and use. 
  • Serving as a resource to federal and state governments as they enact new policies and practices to incorporate AI into the delivery of public benefits and other government services.
  • Leading and coordinating advocacy efforts with other civil society organizations that have a shared interest in modernizing the delivery of public services while protecting people’s privacy and civil rights.
  • Strategizing, planning, and advising on how federal efforts to support government’s responsible AI use can and should be adopted by state and local agencies that are grappling with similar issues.

This is a one-year full-time Fellowship, with the possibility of extending or transitioning to a permanent role at CDT after the fellowship based on performance, the organization’s needs, and availability of funds.

About CDT

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that fights to advance civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. We champion policies, laws, and technical designs that empower people to use technology for good, while protecting against invasive, discriminatory, and exploitative uses. CDT was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1994 and has operated a second office, in Brussels, since 2014.

CDT works to protect people’s rights across a range of technology uses and applications, with a strong focus on privacy and data governance (including specific projects on health privacy, student privacy, worker privacy, and disability rights & tech), as well as projects on government surveillance, elections & democracy and free expression / platform governance. We engage policymakers in the U.S. and the European Union, advocate for companies to adopt best practices, represent the public interest in multistakeholder processes and standards bodies, file amicus briefs in court, conduct original research, and raise public awareness about how technology design and governance impact our democracy and social inequality.

CDT is a leading voice in AI policy debates. We testify before Congress, advocate to the White House, and engage closely with agencies about AI governance in their regulated sectors and government’s own use of AI. We participate in AI measurement and governance work led by NIST; are long-time participants in the FAccT conference; and participate in numerous multistakeholder fora including the Partnership on AI, World Economic Forum, and other groups. We also collaborate with a wide range of civil society partners and academic researchers. 

Required Qualifications

  • A graduate degree (e.g., Masters or J.D.) in a relevant discipline such as public policy, or similar research qualification and experience (e.g., work on technology procurement or grantmaking by public agencies).
  • Demonstrated research and/or applied experience in the form of publications, government documents, presentations, frameworks, or other outputs.
  • A critical understanding of how technology, policy, and law may have a disparate impact on individuals and communities based on race, gender, disability, income, immigration status, or other circumstances or characteristics.
  • Excellent writing skills for communicating with technical, policy, and lay audiences.

Compensation and Location

The compensation for this position ranges from $70K-$115K. Compensation is determined on a tiered pay scale based on years of experience and the responsibilities of the role. Candidates may request guidance on where they would fall within the salary range prior to their first interview, or any time thereafter. CDT provides a generous benefits package that includes health care and dental coverage for employees and dependents, a retirement plan, paid vacation, sick days, and parental leave. 

This position is based in CDT’s Washington, D.C. office, with the possibility of remote work.

To Apply

Please send the following to [email protected]: 

  1. Cover letter, describing the issues you would most like to work on during the fellowship and your experience / qualifications for such work — in particular, please highlight any relevant experience developing, analyzing, and/or implementing practical guidance for public agencies on responsible AI use.
  2. Full CV
  3. A relevant writing sample (e.g., a report or published paper)

The Center for Democracy & Technology is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in any of its activities or operations. We believe that a diverse staff enables us to do better and more impactful work. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA+ and other historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.