Policy Analyst, Welfare and Opportunity

Position description

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—a think tank—dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution — individual liberty, limited government, and free markets – turn out to be even more powerful in today’s world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for free people, it is the indispensable framework for the future.

Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Are you passionate about expanding opportunity for low-income Americans by reducing the size of the welfare state and removing barriers to earned success? Do you believe that poverty is humanity’s original condition, and understand that economic freedom has lifted billions out of it? Are you convinced that the American welfare state is unsustainable and ineffective? Then this might be your dream job.

The Cato Institute is seeking a full-time policy analyst to support its work on welfare reform and expanding opportunities for lower-skilled Americans.

This role is ideal for early-career scholars who want to help chart a libertarian approach to allowing low-income Americans to lift themselves up and save taxpayers trillions of dollars by reducing welfare, rewarding work, and removing barriers to upward mobility. The ideal candidate will be curious, intellectually honest, and committed to removing government-imposed barriers that hinder upward mobility and eliminating welfare programs that trap people in poverty.

At Cato, we believe that genuine respect for human dignity means trusting individuals to make their own choices, removing policies that create dependency, and empowering civil society—not the government—to address poverty through voluntary actions in a free market. This role focuses on advancing welfare reforms that reduce the scope and cost of federal programs, while expanding opportunities that help people lift themselves out of poverty.

The policy analyst will report to the Director of Budget and Entitlements Policy. This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC.

Key roles and responsibilities

• Analyze, write, and speak about welfare policy, economic opportunity, and their effects.
• Write detailed analyses for Cato Institute publications such as policy analyses, briefs, blog posts, op-eds, working papers, and other formats.
• Propose and advocate for libertarian reforms to welfare policy, emphasizing the elimination of government social programs.
• Promote federal policy changes that increase economic opportunities for low-income Americans.
• Engage with policymakers, public audiences, and members of the media on welfare policy, poverty, and economic opportunity.
• Organize policy forums and other events.

Experience and skills expected of the post holder

• A strong commitment to Cato’s libertarian values and the courage to defend them in adversarial settings.
• A strong understanding of the effects of social welfare policy, key determinants of opportunity, and the economics of how tax and spending policies impact incentives.
• Strong research skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to develop and nurture internal and external relationships.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks independently on a time-sensitive basis, a commitment to accuracy, and creativity in advancing welfare reforms consistent with libertarian principles.

Pluses

• Experience analyzing welfare policy on Capitol Hill, in think tanks, academic institutions, or in other policy-related positions is a plus.
• An advanced degree in economics, other social sciences, or law is preferred, but not required.
• Familiarity with data analysis and modern statistical methods is a plus.

Benefits

The projected salary range for this role is $70,000 – $110,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate’s educational background, experience, and skills. All Cato employees are provided with:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance 401(k) employer match
• Transit/ Parking benefits
• Pet discount plan

Application instructions

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