Employment Opportunities

When was the last time you had fun at work while knowing you were making a difference? It's a great time to join the Spark Policy Institute team - get all the benefits of working with an extensive network of engaged stakeholders while working day to day in a small, flexible team environment. Not only do we take pride in what we can accomplish together, we have fun! Your creativity, passion for making a difference, and energy are what we need.

Our team is made up of individuals who are deeply invested in helping policymakers and communities find solutions to complex problems. We tackle the problems that are too messy for any one group to solve - issues that cross multiple sectors, policy arenas, and levels of government. We find solutions through broad participation of stakeholders - first understanding the problems, then identifying and crafting the solutions, and often assisting our partners to implement them. We embrace innovation and learning, and take on projects that align with our values and give us opportunities to grow.

Spark is hiring!

Evaluation & Research Project Manager

Spark is looking for a full-time Evaluation & Research Project Manager to join the team. This position requires a strong skillset in project management and experience managing complex research projects. This position will be involved in many of Spark's evaluation and research projects on diversity and disparities and will be working with communities experiencing disparities. Related experience is required. The Evaluation Project Manager will work closely with the Spark team to design and implement evaluations and policy research in complex settings. This position requires working knowledge of how to implement qualitative and quantitative research designs, but is primarily a project management role. Spark's evaluations are largely in the areas of advocacy, systems, collaboration, and social movements. However, experience in these areas of evaluation is not required.

To become a part of Spark's team of dedicated and passionate staff working together to make a difference, please read the Job Announcement, download and fill out the Application Form and submit it along with your resume to Employment@sparkpolicy.com. To be considered for this position, please submit your application and resume no later than June 9th, 2013.

Office Assistant

Spark is looking for a part-time Office Assistant, working between 20 and 25 hours per week. This position requires someone who is detail oriented and comfortable using Excel to manage large amounts of information. The Office Assistant will report to Spark's Chief Financial Officer and provide assistance with everything from office supplies and printers to timesheets and budgets. The applicant must be detail oriented and have the ability to meet work demands in a timely and professional manner.

This position is open until filled, but no applications will be accepted after May 18th, 2013. To become a part of Spark's team of dedicated and passionate staff working together to make a difference, please read the Job Announcement, download and fill out the Application Form, and submit it along with your resume to Employment@SparkPolicy.com.

Applied Public Policy Fellowship

Spark's Applied Public Policy Fellowship is a two year position open to Ph.D. students in Denver, Colorado. The first year focuses on building research skills as part of a team, including learning about participatory research, q-methodology, social network analysis, focus groups, key informant interviews, regulatory analysis, and fiscal analysis. Second year fellows have the opportunity to lead the research component of one or more projects, including designing and implementing the research, conducting the analysis, and reporting the results to policymakers and the public. Fellows also have opportunities to co-author and author policy reports and articles for publication in academic journals.

The Fellowship is currently filled by Keeley Stokes, a Ph.D. graduate in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Elizabeth Tomsich, a Ph.D. student at the School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado, Denver. Recent graduates of the fellowship include JulieMarie Shepherd, a Ph.D. student at the Department of Political Science, University of Colorado, Boulder and Quinn Lung, a Ph.D. student in the School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado, Denver. Fellowship alumni have gone on to research careers in the public and private sectors.

Applications for the August 2013 - May 2015 Fellowship are due to Employment@sparkpolicy.com by May 22, 2013. For additional information, please read the Fellowship Announcement. A complete application includes a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and two letters of reference.