Alaska Fellows Program: Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG) - Good Government Fellow

Alaska Fellows Program position description

Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG)

Good Government Fellow

Anchorage, Alaska

This position is part of the Alaska Fellows Program. All fellows live together, “in community,” in their respective host site. Each host site is unique and remarkable.

Fellows receive housing, a $1200 monthly living stipend and a $750 relocation stipend. The fellowship includes facilitated and funded opening and closing retreats.

For other questions about the application process, email applications@alaskafellows.org. 

Work Term: September 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

Location: Anchorage, AK

Host: Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG)

Contact: Erin Willahan, erin@akpirg.org

Title: Good Government Fellow

About AKPIRG: Founded in 1974, AKPIRG is Alaska’s only 501(c)(3) nonprofit consumer advocacy organization. For more than 50 years, our nonpartisan, statewide organization has been guided by a commitment to Alaska and the people who live here. AKPIRG works to ensure Alaskan voices drive policy and systems across four specializations: energy affordability, economic justice, good government, and language access. By bridging the gap between lived experience and decision-making, we strengthen accountability, advance equity, and create a future where communities thrive. 

About the position: AKPIRG is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented fellow through the Alaska Fellows Program to support our Good Government initiatives. This role combines research and community engagement, offering firsthand experience in policy advocacy, data analysis, and non-profit operations. As the AKPIRG Good Government fellow, you will research key policy issues and conduct outreach to educate and engage stakeholders, and:

• Gain experience in interpreting and analyzing legislation and public policies and mentorship from leading analysts and other professionals in the field.
• Develop skills in creating advocacy materials for diverse audiences.
• Understand the operations of a non-profit organization focused on policy change.
• Expand professional networks within the civic engagement and non-profit sector.

The AKPIRG Good Government Fellow will support this mission through: 

• Policy Research & Analysis: Conduct in-depth research on good government topics (e.g., campaign finance, regulatory processes, transparency, public records laws, voting rights, ethics policies) and draft briefing memos, public comments, etc.
• Legislative Tracking and Advocacy: Attend and monitor local/state/federal meetings  (including Anchorage Assembly, Alaska State Legislature, boards, commissions, and other state agencies) and connect with legislators
• Data Collection: Identify and analyze data for policy briefings, fact sheets, and legislative tracking to support AKPIRG’s advocacy initiatives.
• Outreach & Engagement: Draft content for an action toolkit, newsletters, blog posts, and social media campaigns aimed at mobilizing the public or engaging coalition partners; Get Out The Vote and direct voter engagement including voter outreach to underrepresented and infrequent voters 
• Stakeholder Communication: Assist in organizing outreach materials (including a toolkit) and conducting communication with community members, partner organizations, and local officials, representing AKPIRG in relevant coalition spaces and building relationships with partners and communities
• Event Support: Support the planning and execution of online and in-person events focused on civic engagement.

Required Qualifications:

• Commitment to AKPIRG values of decolonization, equity, and transparency
• Passion for safeguarding democratic processes and civic engagement
• Research and writing skills
• Critical thinker 
• Relationship builder - works well with a diversity of communities and stakeholders 

Preferred Qualifications (not required, but please be sure to let us know if you carry any of these):

• Familiarity with Alaska’s history, diverse communities, and Tribal governance systems
• Desire to build a life in Alaska in the long-term
• Interest or experience in policy analysis or legal studies 
• Demonstrated skill in researching, synthesizing and distilling complex information for diverse audiences

What else you should know:

• AKPIRG is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we work on. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, single parents, trans and gender-expansive people, and people with disabilities who identify as Alaskan are encouraged to apply. 

Work Authorization: 
Our organization is excited to work with applicants who are in the United States with lawful status but at this point we do not have the capacity to sponsor an immigrant work visa.

To Apply: Please complete the google form linked HERE including submitting all requested application materials.

Application Materials: 

Applicants can submit a resume, contact information for three references, and cover letter OR a letter of interest (please include any prior experience and your learning objectives) as part of your application package. Please indicate where you learned of this opportunity in your application materials.