The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The post-doc public policy fellowship program is a one-year opportunity to work with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network – the advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society. Through its advocacy work at the local, state, and federal level, ACS CAN influences evidence-based public policy change, as well as legislative and regulatory solutions to reduce the cancer burden. The policy team is directly responsible for developing the public policies upon which ACS CAN advocacy is based.

Public policy fellows will work directly with the ACS CAN policy team but will also have opportunities to work with colleagues from other teams across the enterprise. The specific focus of the Cancer and the Environment Fellow will be on legislative analysis and policy development related to 1) PFAS; 2) burn pits; 3) radioactive waste sites; 4) radon; 5) climate change, and other issues that arise.

During the course of the 12-month assignment fellows will have to opportunity to:

• Deepen their expertise in a range of prescription drug policy issues, health care economics, and hone their quantitative analysis skills;
• Develop work products related to their issue focus that may be used in their educational programs;
• Work in a collegial environment with a team of highly skilled policy professionals who will provide mentoring; and
• Attend forums, seminars and conferences relevant to their issue focus.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Public Policy Fellow will work directly with the Policy Principal for Prevention and Screening on

• Analyzing state and federal legislative proposals and federal regulations;
• Helping to develop public policy related to cancer and the environment;
• Undertaking projects used to educate and persuade policymakers on the connection between environmental issues and cancer;
• Creating policy products that support the federal, state, and local advocacy agendas - including fact sheets, white papers, infographics, toolkits, and talking points; and
• Working collaboratively with the Managing Director, the Prevention and Screening Policy. Principal and multiple teams across ACS and ACS CAN to produce consistent, evidence-based work products that clearly communicate environmental policy positions.  

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE:         

• Completed doctoral work or equivalent with experience and/or demonstrated education in environmental science or public policy
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Prior experience in research preferable

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:        

Other Skills:

• Knowledge of environmental science and/or policy
• Familiarity with fundamental principles of public health

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network has adopted a vaccination policy that requires all staff, regardless of position or work location, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (except where prohibited by state law).

ACS CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.