The American Physical Society (APS) is seeking a Senior Associate, Grassroots Advocacy & Science Policy to work for the Government Affairs (GA) team. Are you looking for hybrid work for a cause you are passionate about? Then this is the role for you! Come play an integral role with the Government Affairs team and lead a variety of projects central to advancing the Society’s advocacy goals. Working with APS GA leadership, the Senior Associate, Grassroots Advocacy & Science Policy is responsible for developing and implementing APS member-focused advocacy strategies and campaigns to advance APS’s science policy priorities. This includes growing APS’s member advocacy network, managing APS’s grassroots and grasstops advocacy efforts, conducting advocacy training sessions for APS members, participating in in-district/in-state meetings between APS members and Congressional offices, developing new science-policy-related communications for APS members and external stakeholders, and representing APS GA at selected meetings, including APS national meetings. The Senior Associate, Grassroots Advocacy & Science Policy may also work with Government Affairs and Office of External Affairs leadership on special projects for APS that involve member engagement and mobilization. Apply today!

This position will require that you spend time in-office, as well as at various geographically dispersed events and meeting attendance as instructed by your Supervisor. The APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. APS values diversity and welcomes candidates from a variety of backgrounds. APS offers a dynamic work environment with an outstanding total compensation package including salary, outstanding benefits, and excellent paid time off.

• Manage all APS member advocacy efforts, including Congressional Visit Days, letter-writing campaigns, in-district/in-state meetings (in-person or virtual) with Congressional offices, and GA’s presence at APS meetings.
• Develop strategies, in consultation with GA leadership, for member advocacy activities both nationally and locally to further specific pieces of legislation and APS science policy priorities.
• Work with GA staff to integrate APS member advocacy into overall issue advocacy and legislative priorities for APS; identify opportunities for APS member involvement in federal legislation development on APS priority areas.
• Participate in discussions of all office projects within the member advocacy portfolio; remain up-to-date on APS GA policy priorities, positions, and activities to the extent required to independently complete daily responsibilities.
• Provide training to Congressional Visit Day participants and to member advocacy volunteers.
• Join in-district/in-state meetings with APS member advocates as advised by GA leadership.
• Attend Congressional meetings with APS member advocates on legislative priorities as determined by GA leadership.
• Develop, manage and promote activities that recruit APS grassroots volunteers and sustain the grassroots network.
• Develop, manage and promote activities that recruit APS grasstops volunteers and sustain the grasstops network.
• Monitor best practices in grassroots and grasstops advocacy and make corresponding refinements in consultation with GA leadership.
• Participate in the development of special projects at APS as determined by GA and OEA leadership.
• Supervise science policy intern, when one is serving at GA, as management deems fit.
• Deliver lectures on science policy advocacy at universities, national laboratories, APS unit meetings, and other appropriate venues.
• Represent APS and GA at selected APS national & divisional meetings, advocacy coalition meetings, scientific meetings and other appropriate venues.
• Provide topical information on issues of importance to the Society.
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Government Affairs, APS science policy staff, OEA Operations and Program Manager, Senior Public Relations Manager, APS Chief External Affairs Officer and other APS staff as appropriate, as well as APS membership, Congressional staff, and colleagues at other scientific organizations.

• Minimum of 3 years related experience.
• Experience with the legislative process, Congress, and executive branch is highly desirable.
• Good understanding of the culture of professional scientific societies and their membership is highly desirable.
• Strong organization, documentation, and prioritization skills.
• Strong written and oral communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Docs.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• High degree of professionalism.
• Must take initiative and be a self-starter.
• Ability to adapt to quickly changing schedules.
• Ability to work well with interdepartmental teams as well as independently.

Travel: This position will require that you spend time in-office, as well as at various geographically dispersed events and meeting attendance as instructed by your Supervisor.


This is Us:

Help us achieve our mission of advancing and diffusing the knowledge of physics for the benefit of humanity, promote physics, and serve the broader physics community.

At APS, we:

• Provide a welcoming and supportive professional home for an active, engaged, and diverse membership
• Advance scientific discovery and research dissemination
• Advocate for physics and physicists, and amplify the voice for science
• Share the excitement of physics and communicate the essential role physics plays in the modern world
• Promote effective physics education for all

Our Core Values:

• The Scientific Method
• Truth and Integrity
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
• Partnering, Cooperation, and Open Collaboration
• Speaking Out
• Education and Learning

The American Physical Society is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of American Physical Society not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of race, religious creed, alienage or citizenship, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, protected veteran status, protected military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, ancestry, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including recruitment, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments, benefits and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at APS. The American Physical Society is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact APS Human Resources at hr@aps.org. 

All APS Employees must be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination via our secured vaccination portal Safeter upon hire, unless they have an HR approved medical or religious exemption. The APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. We welcome you to apply today!