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Program director, able americans.

Washington, D.C.

About the National Center for Public Policy Research

The National Center for Public Policy Research was established in 1982 to address issues insufficiently addressed by the broader Freedom Movement. It is a nimble and dynamic organization dedicated to providing free market solutions to today’s public policy problems through innovative programs.

The National Center’s programs advance the principles of free markets, individual liberty, and personal responsibility.

Our newest program, Able Americans, was created to drive policy changes to help millions of Americans with disabilities – advocating solutions that harness the power of the free market, emphasize individual freedom and choice, and remove barriers to progress erected by big government.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to take the reigns in further establishing and leading Able Americans as THE conservative movement’s disabilities program – this would become their lasting legacy.

About the Program Director Position

The Able Americans Program Director will work directly with the president of the National Center for Public Policy Research to develop the strategic plan for Able Americans, marshal key resources for the program, and help oversee the implementation of the program. The Program Director will also assist the president in identifying necessary contractors and employees and serve as a key spokesperson.

This is a D.C.-based position only, located on Embassy Row near the Dupont Circle Metro station. The Program Director will work in the office a minimum of three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Work with the president to develop Able Americans programs and metrics for success
• Assist the development director in writing Able Americans grant proposals
• Meet with prospective Able Americans donors
• Recruit a core list of Able Americans spokespersons
• Assist or take the lead in the development of policy recommendations
• Solicit input from both the think tank and disabilities communities on working solutions to challenges facing those with disabilities
• Supervise senior researcher and affiliated research team to meet overall project goals, specific metrics, and deadlines
• Build a coalition to advance policy recommendations
• Help oversee implementation of core project deliverables
• Vet prospective contractors and employees
• Speak on behalf of Able Americans in the media and at conferences and events
• Testify before government bodies and brief members of Congress
• Draft public comments, editorials, and other content
• Other duties as identified

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in public policy or project management preferred; those with less experience and unique skills will also be considered
• Familiarity with disability issues and policies preferred but not required
• Alignment with National Center mission and mindset
• Crackerjack research, writing, and editing skills
• Outgoing personality and top-rate networking skills
• Self-starter who is willing to do what it takes
• Quick learner, detail-oriented, with dependable follow-through and ability to multi-task
• Advanced writing and public speaking skills
• Ability to travel at least 10%
• Willingness to work in an office environment

Compensation

The salary for this position is contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate.

Accessibility

The National Center will provide adaptive furniture and office equipment as needed, and is currently working with architects on plans for making its headquarters more accessible. Given that the building is located within two historical districts requiring special permitting, the date of completion of alterations to the building is currently unknown. An assistance animal will be welcome.

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position and the mission of the National Center,, as well as your salary requirements

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link .

Questions can be directed to Bailey Drouant, Outreach Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search:  [email protected]

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.

The National Center for Public Policy Research is a communications and research foundation supportive of a strong national defense and dedicated to providing free market solutions to today’s public policy problems. We believe that the principles of a free market, individual liberty and personal responsibility provide the greatest hope for meeting the challenges facing America in the 21st century. Learn More About Us Subscribe to Our Updates

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Republicans and Democrats have different top priorities for U.S. immigration policy

Republicans and Democrats differ over the most pressing priorities for the nation’s immigration system. Republicans place particular importance on border security and deportations of immigrants who are in the country illegally, while Democrats place greater importance on paths to legal status for those who entered the country illegally – especially those who entered as children, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Still, there are some areas of overlap between Republicans and Democrats, and there are sizable ideological differences in immigration goals within each partisan coalition, with conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats expressing more intense views than others in their parties.

As the number of people apprehended for illegally crossing the southern border has reached record annual levels, about three-quarters of Americans (73%) say increasing security along the U.S.-Mexico border to reduce illegal crossings should be a very (44%) or somewhat (29%) important goal of U.S. immigration policy. Nearly all Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (91%) say border security should be an important goal, while a smaller majority of Democrats and Democratic leaners (59%) say the same, according to the survey of 7,647 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 1 to 14.

Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand the public’s policy priorities and goals for the U.S. immigration system. For this analysis, we surveyed 7,647 adults from Aug. 1-14, 2022. The survey was primarily conducted on the Center’s nationally representative American Trends Panel, with an oversample of Hispanic adults from Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel.

Respondents on both panels are recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. See the Methodology section for additional details. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Here are the questions used for the report, along with responses, and its methodology .

Majorities of Americans also say taking in civilian refugees from countries where people are trying to escape violence and war (72%) and allowing immigrants who came to the country illegally as children to remain in the U.S. and apply for legal status (72%) should be important goals for the immigration system. Each of these priorities garners more support from Democrats than Republicans.

About two-thirds of the public (66%) wants the immigration system to make it easier for U.S. citizens and legal residents to sponsor family members to immigrate to the U.S., while six-in-ten say establishing a way for most immigrants currently in the country illegally to stay legally should be an important immigration policy goal. A similar share (57%) says that increasing deportations of immigrants currently in the country illegally should be a very or somewhat important goal of U.S. immigration policy.

Wide partisan and ideological differences on immigration policy

For every policy asked about in the survey, there are sizable partisan differences in perceived importance. Still, for many policies included in the survey, majorities in both parties say it should be at least a somewhat important goal.

About nine-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (91%) call increasing security along the U.S.-Mexico border an important goal, including 72% who say it should be a very important goal.

While a majority of Democrats and Democratic leaners (59%) say border security should be at least somewhat important, just 22% view this as very important – 50 percentage points less than the share of Republicans who say this.

About eight-in-ten Republicans (79%) say increasing deportations of immigrants currently in the country illegally is important, with nearly half (49%) calling it very important. By comparison, 39% of Democrats view increasing deportations as very or somewhat important, including just 12% who see it as very important.

Democrats are more likely than Republicans (80% vs. 37%) to say that establishing a way for most immigrants currently in the country illegally to stay in the U.S. legally is an important goal for the nation’s immigration system. About four-in-ten Democrats (38%) view this as a very important goal, compared with 10% of Republicans.

Majorities in both parties say that taking in refugees from countries where people are fleeing war and violence is an important goal. Nonetheless, more Democrats than Republicans view it as important (85% vs. 58%). Around four-in-ten Democrats (41%) say that taking in refugees is very important, while just 13% of Republicans say the same.

Conservative Republicans are the most likely to express strong support for more restrictive immigration goals such as increased border security and increased deportations, even when compared with others in their party. Liberal Democrats, by contrast, are the least supportive of these restrictive goals while being the most supportive of establishing a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants in the country.

Around eight-in-ten conservative Republicans (82%) say increased border security should be a very important goal for U.S. immigration policy; about half of moderates and liberals in the GOP (54%) say the same. Similarly, about six-in-ten conservative Republicans (58%) say increasing deportations of immigrants currently in the country illegally should be a very important goal, compared with about a third of moderate and liberal Republicans (34%). (Conservative Republicans account for about six-in-ten of those who identify with or lean toward the GOP.)

Among Democrats, conservatives and moderates are more likely than liberals to say more restrictive goals are very or somewhat important to U.S. immigration policy. Seven-in-ten conservative and moderate Democrats say increasing border security should be a very or somewhat important goal, compared with 44% of liberal Democrats. Conservative and moderate Democrats are also twice as likely as liberal Democrats (50% vs. 25%) to say increasing deportations should be an important goal.

Liberal Democrats are the most supportive of creating a way for most undocumented immigrants to stay in the country legally: 85% say this should be an important goal, including 44% who say it should very important. Three-quarters of conservative and moderate Democrats see this as an important goal, including 32% who see it as very important. Among Republicans, half of moderates and liberals say a path to legal status should be an important goal, while only about three-in-ten conservatives (28%) say the same.

Modest changes in views of U.S. immigration policy

Many of the public’s views about immigration policy goals have been largely stable over the past few years. For example, views on taking in refugees are roughly the same as in 2019, and views on allowing immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children to apply for legal status are largely unchanged from 2016. There has been a modest increase in the share of Americans who say increasing deportations of immigrations here illegally should be a very or somewhat important goal (57% today vs. 54% in 2019).

There has been a 5 percentage point increase in the share of the public who say increasing security along the U.S.-Mexico border to reduce illegal crossings should be an important goal (73% today vs. 68% three years ago). This increase is largely driven by a 10-point increase in the share of Democrats who say this (59% today vs. 49% then).

Support for a pathway to legal status for most immigrants currently in the country illegally has declined over the past three years. Today, six-in-ten adults say this should be an important goal, down from 67% in 2019 and similar to the share who said this in 2016 (62%). The decline reflects a decrease among Republicans – especially conservative Republicans. In 2019, about half of Republicans (48%) said this should be an important goal; today, just 37% say the same.

Note: Here are the questions used for the report, along with responses, and its methodology .

• Border Security & Enforcement
• Family Reunification
• Immigration Attitudes
• Immigration Issues
• Issue Priorities
• Refugees & Asylum Seekers
• Unauthorized Immigration

J. Baxter Oliphant is a senior researcher focusing on politics at Pew Research Center

Andy Cerda is a research assistant focusing on politics at Pew Research Center

Latinos’ Views on the Migrant Situation at the U.S.-Mexico Border

U.s. christians more likely than ‘nones’ to say situation at the border is a crisis, how americans view the situation at the u.s.-mexico border, its causes and consequences, migrant encounters at the u.s.-mexico border hit a record high at the end of 2023, americans remain critical of government’s handling of situation at u.s.-mexico border, most popular.

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Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) works in areas of research promotion, knowledge dissemination, capacity building, grass-roots initiatives, etc. It has a pool of talent from various parts of the country, who are experienced in handling socio-economic research projects. CPPR has always believed in engaging the right individuals for its initiatives and efforts in the area of public policy.

We welcome people who have a penchant for public policy and display unique skill sets and managerial capacities to work with CPPR!

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Science Advisor for Public Access (Program Director)

Application timeline, position summary.

The Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) within the Office of the Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces a nationwide search to fill the Science Advisor for Public Access position.  The position coordinates agency responses to federal public access mandates, oversees development of the NSF Public Access Repository, coordinates with other agencies via involvement in the NSTC and other cross-agency groups, and contributes to the NSF Knowledge Management activity.

Formal consideration of interested applications will begin immediately and continue until a selection is made.

OIA works across disciplinary boundaries to lead and coordinate strategic programs and opportunities that: advance research excellence and innovation; develop human and infrastructure capacity critical to the U.S. science and engineering enterprise; and promote engagement of scientists and engineers at all career stages and the personnel who support them.

For more information on the NSF Public Access Initiative, see: https://new.nsf.gov/public-access  

Position Description

Serves as the primary representative and point of contact for the NSF Public Access Initiative and Open Science matters, in consultation with other concerned entities within the Foundation (e.g., Office of the Director, Office of General Counsel, etc.) and the members of the cross-agency Public Access and Open Science Working Group (PAOSWG).  Creates and maintains linkages to other NSF units and other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission.

Works closely with the NSF Chief Information Officer staff on implementation and refinement of NSF's public access policies and systems (e.g., NSF-PAR, see: http://par.nsf.gov ).  Provides oversight and direction to system developers at NSF and DOE in the collaborative development and maintenance of the subsystems comprising NSF-PAR.

Contributes to the NSF Knowledge Management activity (e.g., change management) and its work with internal, enterprise-wide policies.

Assists the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) in communicating NSF’s Public Access and Open Science goals to the range of research communities served by NSF. 

Provides strategic and technical advice to the PAOSWG and the Office of the Director on policy development and implementation regarding public access to the outcomes of federally funded research, and other related science policy issues as they arise.

Analyzes and integrates scientific input and policy guidance from OMB, OSTP, Congress, the National Academy of Sciences, professional societies, the National Science Board, NSF policy groups, the Advisory Committee for Cyberinfrastructure, and other agencies and organizations into the Foundation’s plans for implementing public access and other science policy issues.

Advises OIA on advanced technology for knowledge management, including but not limited to taxonomy, ontology, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and semantic search.

Applies contemporary methods of organizing data, information, and knowledge to internal NSF information.

Provides leadership and support for the NSF Public Access Working Group. The NSF Public Access Working Group is charged with oversight of the implementation of the NSF Public Access Plan 2.0 (NSF 23-104, see: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23104/nsf23104.pdf ) and is comprised of senior leadership from across the Foundation. 

Serves on or leads NSF-wide groups addressing public access and other policy issues.  Serves on or leads teams of experts on interagency studies and, working with the Public Access working group and the Office of the Director, helps to coordinate NSF involvement in relevant interagency activities. 

Working with the Office of the Director and other NSF leadership, works to coordinate with the international science community on public access (and related policy issues as they arise) with the appropriate units within NSF, and to facilitate NSF interaction/participation in international science policy bodies.

Represents NSF as appropriate on internal committees, interagency committees, at meetings of other Federal agencies, professional organizations, and universities; participating, providing advice, and drafting recommendations and reports representing the outcome of such meetings.

Prepares background papers, presentations, and reports for use by senior NSF leadership in discussions with the National Science Board and for hearings and congressional testimony, as needed. Initiates, conducts, and manages studies and analyses to assess the scientific and technological contributions of public access to the achievement of national goals and objectives, as needed.

Serves as liaison with other Federal agencies, particularly in interagency programs involving public access policy development and implementation, and conducts other duties as assigned.

Appointment options

The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option(s):

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment: Individuals eligible for an IPA assignment with a Federal agency include employees of State and local government agencies or institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, and other eligible organizations in instances where such assignments would be of mutual benefit to the organizations involved. Initial assignments under IPA provisions may be made for a period up to two years, with a possible extension for up to an additional two-year period. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides the negotiated funding toward the assignee's salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended by mutual agreement. 

Eligibility information

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs.  Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. https://www.nsf.gov/careers/Definition-of-Foreign-Talent-HRM.pdf .

Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens. Recent changes in Federal Appropriations Law require Non-Citizens to meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-Citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered eligible. Non-Citizens are not eligible for positions requiring a security clearance.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master's degree in an appropriate field plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.

Knowledge of current and historical developments in federal public access policies and mandates is highly desirable, as is familiarity with scientific communication practices and research data practices. Candidates must be able to communicate and interact with senior science, engineering and managerial personnel throughout the Foundation, with other agencies, and the general science and engineering community, and are expected to know and diplomatically express the views and goals of the NSF on Public Access topics in many situations both within and outside of the National Science Foundation. Candidates must also be skilled and experienced in operating both independently and interdependently with others. Outstanding oral and writing skills and the capability to deal with a wide variety of materials, frequently changing venues, and tight deadlines is imperative.

How to apply

To apply, email the following (i) a cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position, and (ii) an up-to-date curriculum vitae, to [email protected] .

Brad Riley appointed to the Advisory Commission on Local Government for the Healey Administration

Post date: 

Brad Riley, MPPA ’22, was recently appointed as an advisor to the Advisory Commission on Local Government for the Healey Administration. He will represent the cities within Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Berkshire counties while on the commission. In addition to his new role, Brad is a Senior Research Associate with the Center for Intergovernmental Partnerships at the National Academy of Public Administration and serves as a City Councilor At-Large for the City of Easthampton, Massachusetts.

We caught up with Brad recently to learn more about his passion for and experience in local government, his work for the commission, and tips he has for students looking to make an impact in this area.

Firstly, congratulations on your appointment! Could you tell us a bit about your career working in local government and public administration?

Much of my career has been in the nonprofit sector in transitional housing organizations, focusing on alleviating poverty and structural violence. It wasn’t until the world went into lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic that I started on the path of public administration.

When I enrolled in the School of Public Policy, I served on Easthampton’s Affordable and Fair Housing Partnership, utilizing my career skills to advocate for equitable housing policy. My first internship was with the Office of State Senator Joanne Comerford, working on the Holyoke Soldier’s Home investigation.

My experiences and engagement with the City of Easthampton led to internal recruitment efforts to run for the City Council. I was elected in November 2021 and began my first term during my final semester of the MPPA program. Concurrently, I was doing an independent study on intergovernmental relations with Director Fountain. To supplement my studies, I did my second internship with the National Academy of Public Administration’s Center for Intergovernmental Partnerships, where I now work as a Senior Research Associate. One project I’m working on assesses the EPA’s direct implementation of environmental law in Indian Country, and another examines the intergovernmental dimensions of homelessness in the United States.

Finally, in January 2023, I was elected to the board of directors at the Massachusetts Municipal Association. I’ll always be a local government guy, but I’ve found myself working at all levels of government and across governments. It’s been one of the most enriching periods of my life.

What made you so passionate about the work done at the local level?

Each level of government has barriers and opportunities that can appeal to public administrators, and each provides achievable goals that give administrators meaning and purpose. For example, the Federal level drives significant long-term policy goals that impact the lives of nearly 400 million people. Still, achieving a monumental result like the Affordable Care Act can take your entire career.

Local government is the most difficult to work within because there’s nowhere to hide if you make mistakes. However, local government is where policy meets action and where elected officials are closest to the people. To thrive, you must give yourself permission to be human and embrace the collective humanity of your constituents.  The policy wins you can achieve on behalf of the public pale in magnitude to the federal level, but in my case, I get to enact policies that improve the lives of 16,000 people and connect with the people every day. I see the direct result of my efforts. What’s not to love about that?

What is the function of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Local Government?

Governor Michael Dukakis formed the Advisory Commission on Local Government in 1978. He recognized that state agencies should consider the impact of policy and regulatory mandates on local governments, notably the imposition of human capacity, equity, and financial burdens.

The United States has a federalist government with overlapping jurisdictional influences from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Maintaining governmental integrity and autonomy while solving complex societal challenges for the public creates intergovernmental complexities that can only be solved by working together.

This commission serves as an advisory board to the Governor of Massachusetts to inform policy decisions and their impacts on the local level. Massachusetts has seven million people across 351 municipalities, and no person can absorb the reality of all 351 governments, let alone seven million individual experiences. As a Western Massachusetts representative, I provide the Governor’s administration with my experiences and perspectives, which I hear directly from the people.

What are your roles and responsibilities as an appointed member of the Commission?

The commission reviews and analyzes proposed legislation and changes to the Code of Massachusetts Regulations concerning potential impacts on local governments. It also advocates for municipal government issues in their state and federal government relations.

Further, the commission can assist in mobilizing state and federal resources to address local government problems and provide coordinating support to agencies responsible for administering federal, state, and local programs. It can also establish study committees or task forces to consider issues related to local government and present its findings to the Governor, her secretaries, and the general court.

As a commissioner, I meet with the Governor’s administration once a month and with General Court leadership quarterly to discuss the policy landscape of Massachusetts.

Are there any issues that you hope to address in this position? Any challenges specific to local governments in Western Massachusetts that you would like to gain attention?

The policy challenges are endless, but if I had to identify a singular issue, it would be our water systems. Massachusetts has felt the impacts of more hurricanes and tropical storms in the last 20 years than the previous 100 years combined. Step outside, and you’ll see that Western Mass is quite wet. Our rivers maintain near flood level status all year, and our water systems, many of which are 50-100 years old, were not designed to handle this new climate reality. Few communities in New England have solved the water crisis.

An emerging issue all communities in the United States must contend with is the measurement, abatement, and prevention of PFAS entering our water systems. This month, the EPA created a new rule setting limits on PFAS in water, and just this morning, announced a new effort to classify PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, CERCLA. I am concerned that the communities I represent will not have the human capacity, funding, or technical assistance to manage this new issue on an already stressed water system. Expect this to become a major local government challenge.

As someone with a long history of working in local government, what advice would you give to students of public policy who are interested in pursuing a career in local government, or even to those who want to get involved at local level?

Local government requires far more than finding a policy area you’re interested in; you must know a little about everything to make an impact. The learning curve is steep, but you'll do fine if you open yourself to new opportunities and commit to life-long learning. Look at me, a housing advocate who wants to discuss public works infrastructure and environmental law implications. Also, you represent everyone in your community, not just those you agree with politically. Sometimes, you must suspend your values for the greater good. You must consider everyone’s voices, including the ones who aren’t in the room when decisions are made.

Lastly, I’ll share advice someone shared with me when I first got involved locally. Sometimes, a city will take more out of you than you get out of it, but if you can see the forest for the trees, you’ll find a net positive experience that gives your life meaning and purpose. You must always embrace the good and the bad because both will happen in perpetuity.

SPP congratulations Brad on his tremendous achievement!

For those interested in networking with Brad, please connect using LinkedIn .

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