Associate, Programs

Partnership for Public Service

Partnership for Public Service

Washington, DC, USA
USD 52,500-54,500 / year
Posted on Feb 7, 2026

INTRODUCTION

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Central to this mission is our work to connect the government with those it serves by protecting it from harm and reimagining the way it works on behalf of the public.

Building on our over 20 years of experience, we:

  • Prepare civil servants to navigate an increasingly complex federal environment
  • Educate and engage the public about the value of government and how eroding its capacity hurts communities nationwide
  • Collaborate with a range of stakeholders to advance bold reforms that seek to make our federal institutions more effective, responsive and accountable to the American people
  • Equip and advise government leaders at the federal, state and local levels to develop critical skills for effective public service.

Our staff, diverse in experience and perspective, is mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive. Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:

  • Passion for public service and our work toward more effective government
  • People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect
  • Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results
  • Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Partnership is seeking an associate to join our Programs team to work on the California Gubernatorial Transition Project. The California Gubernatorial Transition Project will support a smooth and safe transfer of power between gubernatorial administrations, prepare senior appointees to effectively step into office and maximize a new administration’s capacity to manage government challenges. Since 2008, the Partnership has grown its public profile to be the go-to source for information and advice on presidential transitions through our Center for Presidential Transition. An associate on the California Gubernatorial Transition Project will provide support to key components of the transition portfolio.

Please note, this is a one-year project. We expect this associate to work on other Partnership programs once the California Gubernatorial Transition Project is complete.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As an associate with the Programs team, you will play a critical role supporting the Partnership’s work to develop strong leaders, engage government employees, strengthen government management systems and improve government-wide workforce-related challenges such as recruiting and hiring talent. The associate will work with individual managers and the Programs team on a range of activities, which may include:

  • Direct program support and delivery.
  • Program operations.
  • Customer service.
  • Program enrollment.
  • Event logistics.
  • Program evaluation.
  • Guest speaker invitations and stakeholder meeting coordination.
  • Direct communication with external stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver customized programs; ensure seamless delivery while providing exceptional customer service to government participants.
  • Serve as a positive, energetic, knowledgeable representative of the Partnership and our programs when communicating with government employees, interacting with external audiences and while providing support to external facilitators during sessions.
  • Serve as the lead staff member overseeing one or more components of programs including event logistics, enrollment and other major program components.
  • Build and maintain productive working relationships with external stakeholders, including corporate partners, part-time facilitators and agency leaders.
  • Exercise discretion and independent judgment in responding to customer needs and in overseeing specific program components.
  • Provide administrative support for external communications and/or information management within our customer relationship database (Salesforce).
  • Manage logistics and provide general support to federal, state and local government agencies through various Partnership programs and custom offerings, including occasional on-site support during sessions.
  • Support the management of the budget and invoicing process.
  • Assist the Programs team – and the Partnership more generally – on all aspects of our work; candidate may also work on projects outside of the Programs team.

KEY COMPETENCIES

  • Relationship management with government leaders, external facilitators, corporate partners and program support staff.
  • Project management skills.
  • Analytical thinking.
  • Communication skills, both written and oral.
  • Proficiency using Microsoft Office suite of software, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Experience with Salesforce or other client relationship management system a plus.
  • Collaborative team-player able to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
  • Ability to organize multiple and varied assignments.
  • Excellent attention to detail, quality and value.
  • Demonstrated passion for, and commitment to, public service, and an interest in the mission of the Partnership.

REQUIRED/PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work or military experience required.
  • One to two years of experience, which may include internships.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint, required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position reports to a manager or senior manager on the Programs team.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC. The successful candidate must be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, three days per week – with Wednesday as the required day in-office. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.

In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, and demonstration of our values.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This position is full-time and classified as exempt from overtime pay. Official business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, though the Partnership allows flexibility in work schedules. Occasional evenings or weekend activities may be required.

TRAVEL

If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day. Some out of the area and/or overnight travel may be required as well.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The starting salary for this role is between $52,500 - $54,500. The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary; medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match; opportunities for training and development; commuter benefits; 15 days of annual leave per year, 10 days of sick leave per year, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off; and use of an on-site exercise facility.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

The Partnership adheres to all federal, state and local employment laws. Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.