Assistant/Associate Director of Government Affairs

J Street; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited personal time off

Sick leave

Parental leave

Holiday leave

Health, dental, vision insurance

401k with match

Commuter benefits

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account

Job summary

J Street in Washington, DC seeks an Assistant/Associate Director of Government Affairs to lobby Congressional offices, draft legislation, and collaborate with policy experts and leaders to shape US-Israel policy and Middle East advocacy.

The role emphasizes self-motivation, political acumen, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with a focus on timely, effective advocacy.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of legislative/lobbying experience, with preference for Hill office experience.
• Ability to quickly draft and edit legislative analysis, talking points, and other materials.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with high EQ.
• Collaborative, cross-department teamwork is essential.
• Deep knowledge of Middle East/US foreign policy and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience with current business technology and data management.

Responsibilities

• Lobby a portfolio of Congressional offices and deepen relationships with Members of Congress and J Street.
• Formulate and guide tactics to move Members and advance legislative priorities.
• Draft talking points, legislative vehicles, and communications to Hill offices; support the Government Affairs team operations.
• Maintain up-to-date awareness of legislative developments related to our issues.
• Contribute to strategic advocacy planning as a core member of the Government Affairs Team.

Skills

Legislative Experience

Writing Skills

Relationship-building

Team Collaboration

Deadline Adherence

Policy Analysis

Attention to Detail

Job description

Position: Assistant/Associate Director of Government Affairs

Reports to: Director of Government Affairs

Start Date: As soon as possible

Status: Full Time, Exempt

Location: Washington, DC

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026

Position

Are you interested in joining an influential organization that is changing the way Washington thinks and talks about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. Middle East policy at a turning point in US politics? J Street’s Government Affairs team is seeking a legislative professional to help advance its advocacy strategy. This individual will lobby a portfolio of Congressional offices, help draft and shape legislation, and collaborate with staff, policy experts, and J Street leaders to redefine the US-Israel relationship, pursue legislative opportunities to rebuild the US-Palestinian relationship, and create the conditions to facilitate regional peace.

The ideal candidate will be aligned with J Street’s mission and principles, as well as a self-starting, entrepreneurial thinker with keen political instincts and strong attention to detail. They thrive on hitting ambitious goals and are excited by the challenge of changing the dynamics that shape the discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Congress.

Our Core Values

At J Street, everything we do is grounded in three core values that guide how we work, collaborate, and show up for our mission.

• Impactful - We act with intention. We measure success not just by what we do, but by the progress we make and the change we help bring about.
• Adaptable - We treat every challenge as an invitation to think creatively, reframe the problem, and find a better path forward.
• Aligned - We are united by shared principles and an unwavering commitment to our mission. Our strength comes from believing in what we're building together

Specific Responsibilities

This is an in-person job, with the expectation that four days are in the office or on Capitol Hill (approximately 20% a week). Work from home option is available for Fridays and other days as needed.

• Managing and directly lobbying a portfolio of Congressional offices by deepening existing relationships and growing new ones between Members of Congress and J Street;
• Formulating and guiding the execution of tactics and strategies to move Members of Congress and advance legislative and policy priorities;
• Draft talking points, legislative vehicles, communication to Hill offices, as well as assist in maintaining the operations of the Government Affairs team;
• Maintaining up-to-date awareness and deep knowledge of relevant legislative initiatives and policy developments on our issue; and
• Contributing to the organization’s strategic advocacy planning as a core member of the Government Affairs Team.

Ideal Qualifications and Skills

• Alignment with the organization’s mission: Familiarity with issues related to the US-Israel relationship and the American Jewish community, and alignment with J Street’s mission and goals.
• Legislative Experience: The ideal candidate will have a minimum of four years of legislative/lobbying experience with a preference toward experience working in a Hill office.
• Writing Skills: This position requires the ability to quickly draft and edit legislative analysis, talking points, and other materials.
• Strong Relationship-building and interpersonal Skills: Intentional about building and maintaining relationships, including maintaining trust. High EQ, as well as strong presentation skills.
• Collaborative and constructive attitude: The candidate must be able to collaborate effectively, and work closely across departments within the organization. This is not a siloed job.
• Issue fluency: Middle East/US foreign policy expertise, with a solid understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how it plays out in American politics.
• Attention to detail: You can manage many projects at once while maintaining a commitment to a detail-oriented approach.
• Adherence to deadlines: Competence in working well and quickly under tight deadlines, utilizing current business technology and data management.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience in drafting, tracking or lobbying must-pass legislation including appropriations bills and the National Defense Authorization Act;
• Proficient in using AI as a means of completing repetitive tasks, conducting research, or analyzing large datasets and;
• Experience working with relevant committees of jurisdiction, including SFRC/HFAC, as well HASC/SASC.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this full-time exempt position is $72,000-$87,000 The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, including but not limited to skill sets; relevant experience; internal equity; and other business and organizational needs.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Unlimited personal time off
• Sick leave
• Generous parental and family paid leave (up to 12 weeks)
• Paid time off on many federal and Jewish holidays
• Health and dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• A 401k program with a competitive employer match and unmatched contributions
• Commuter benefits
• A Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account with an employer contribution
• Professional Development Funding
• Six Week Paid Sabbatical

J Street recognizes a staff bargaining unit affiliated with IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is included in J Street’s bargaining unit and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Physical Requirements

There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. J Street will make reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

At J Street we value an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to understanding and valuing each other’s perspectives at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our employees, and the communities we work with. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment and fellowship, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.

J Street is an Equal Opportunity Employer.