Work With Us

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeks a passionate and creative Compliance Counsel to join our team to temporarily assist CREW’s General Counsel in all legal matters pertaining to the organization and the legal department. This six-month position is a unique opportunity to be on the front lines of the fight for a more ethical, equitable and accountable government, while working alongside smart, creative and kind people. 

As a leading nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog, CREW is dedicated to defending our democratic institutions, rooting out government corruption and fighting the influence of money in politics through legal action, policy innovation and communications grounded by in-depth research. CREW is looking for a results-driven team member who is committed to our mission and cares deeply about protecting our democracy. We welcome diverse skills and experiences.

Responsibilities:

The Compliance Counsel will play a key role in assisting CREW’s General Counsel in all legal matters pertaining to the organization and the legal department. This person will report to CREW’s General Counsel.

• Provide guidance and legal expertise to help ensure compliance with a variety of legal regimes, including IRS rules governing section 501(c)(3) organizations, media law, employment and labor law, federal and state lobbying laws, contract law and intellectual property.
• Assist with prepublication review of investigations, reports, social media posts, press releases and other CREW products.
• Support the General Counsel and the Operations department on labor and employment matters.
• Review and interpret contracts, insurance policies,  grants and other agreements.
• Help prepare for and respond to potential legal actions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• J.D. (required).
• A minimum of 5-10 years relevant legal experience.
• Preferred candidates will have experience in one or more of the following areas: tax-exempt organization law, employment and labor law and media/defamation law.
• Significant personnel and project management experience.
• An interest in ethics, money in politics and/or government transparency issues.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• The ability to work collaboratively.
• Outstanding research and analytical skills.
• Great writing and communication skills.
• The ability to work with discretion on confidential and sensitive matters.
• Initiative to identify needs, take charge of tasks, and get things done in an exciting, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work effectively with outside counsel.
• The position is based in Washington, D.C. but will be hybrid with employees splitting their time between working at home and working in the office.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $120,000-$150,000 (on an annual basis) based on experience and qualifications. We are open to a contract arrangement or hiring a temporary staff member with access to our full benefits program. 

CREW offers a compensation and benefits program that creates a supportive, respectful, sustainable environment that allows our employees to show up as their authentic selves and perform at their best. We’re in this work for the long-haul, and that means investing in our most important asset: our staff. We are always working to improve our benefits program, currently they include: 

• Generous paid time off
• Platinum medical insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 55% of premium covered for dependents) 
• Dental and vision insurance (99.9% of premium covered for employees and 55% of premium covered for dependents)
• Option to enroll in FSA and dependent care FSA accounts with a $2,500 employer contribution to dependent care FSAs
• Option to enroll in commuter benefits
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Fully vested 401k with 3% employer contribution starting on day one 
• Paid holiday closures between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as major national holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Summer Fridays all year long 
• Free in-office lunches weekly (and snacks daily!)
• Free virtual yoga classes

How to apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please include your last name and Term Compliance Counsel in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. 

CREW is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeks a passionate and creative advocate to join our team and help us secure our democracy and build a better Washington. 

Project 2025 set out a wildly unpopular vision to gut the federal government, tear down checks and balances and democratic protections, and push the bounds of presidential authority beyond long-recognized constitutional and legal limits. Rebuilding American democracy after this assault will require a comprehensive long-term plan. To respond to this need, CREW proposes a multi-year project, Democracy 2.0, to work with policy experts, academics, grassroots leaders, as well as local, state, and federal legislators to develop a blueprint to rebuild our democracy.

As a leading nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog committed to innovative policy work, CREW is dedicated to defending our democratic institutions, rooting out government corruption, building an ethical and accountable judiciary, and fighting the influence of money in politics through legal action and communications grounded by in-depth research. CREW is looking for a creative, results-driven colleague who is committed to our mission and cares deeply about protecting our democracy. We welcome diverse skills and experiences.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Democracy Reform will lead an effort to envision how we rebuild American democracy and will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Vice President for Policy, Policy Director, President, and Executive Director. This position will report to the Vice President for Policy.

• Policy Development: Work in conjunction with the Vice President for Policy and Policy Director to develop CREW’s long-term policy agenda to reimagine and rebuild American democracy focused on six main pillars: creating a 21st century apolitical federal civil service; ending the privatization of government; establishing an enforceable ethics infrastructure for all three branches of government; preventing the weaponization and manipulation of government functions; reinstituting checks and balances; and responding to anti-democratic abuses through truth and reconciliation and ensuring accountability for official misconduct.  Produce a blueprint that can be shared widely with concrete policy recommendations for how to reconceive and rebuild American democracy.
• Convening: Move beyond Washington and envision and hold a series of convenings with stakeholders across the country that bring together international and domestic democracy experts, academics, local and state lawmakers, and locally affected Americans to gain insights into what is and was working in American democracy, and what is and was not working. Incorporate these insights into Democracy 2.0’s policy recommendations.
• Advocacy: Create a plan to disseminate Democracy 2.0’s policy recommendations to lawmakers, advocates, activists, academics, and the public at large in collaboration with colleagues on the communications team.
• Writing and communications:  Write reports, articles, and OpEds about American democracy.  Work with a communications team to coordinate media responses and web presence on policy issues.  
• Collaboration:  Represent CREW with outside partners as part of Democracy 2.0’s work.   Coordinate with CREW’s litigation, research, and communications teams as appropriate to ensure a consistent policy message. 

Qualifications:

• J.D. (preferred).
• A minimum of 7 years policy experience in non-profit, executive branch, Capitol Hill, or comparable setting
• Familiarity with and interest in democracy reform and political corruption.
• Knowledge of domestic and international efforts to advance democracy reform and fight corruption, including legislative and litigation strategies to reform our democratic institutions and ensure public accountability for efforts to undermine our democracy.
• Experience working with both academics and grassroots organizations and organizing convenings.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• The ability to work collaboratively.
• Outstanding research and analytical skills.
• Great writing and communication skills.
• Initiative to identify needs, take charge of tasks, and get things done in an exciting, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work effectively with outside partners.
• The position is based in Washington, D.C. but will be hybrid with employees splitting their time between working at home and working in the office.

Compensation/Benefits                                                                                                                                                                                              
The salary range for this position is $130,000-$160,000 based on experience and qualifications. CREW offers a compensation and benefits program that creates a supportive, respectful, sustainable environment that allows our employees to show up as their authentic selves and perform at their best. We’re in this work for the long-haul, and that means investing in our most important asset: our staff. Our benefits include: 

• Generous paid time off
• Platinum medical insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 55% of premium covered for dependents) 
• Dental and vision insurance (99.9% of premium covered for employees and 55% of premium covered for dependents)
• 10 weeks paid family leave for non-birthing parent and 16 weeks paid family leave for birthing parent
• Family planning benefits that includes a $10k annual employer contribution with up to $30k over the term of your employment for employees AND their partners
• Option to enroll in FSA and dependent care FSA accounts with a $2,500 employer contribution to dependent care FSAs
• Option to enroll in commuter benefits
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Fully vested 401k with 3% employer contribution
• One week of organization-wide paid holiday closures between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as major national holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Summer Fridays all year long 
• Free in-office lunches weekly
• Free virtual yoga classes

How to apply
Please email a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please include your last name and “Director of Democracy Reform” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. CREW is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeks an organized and passionate Paralegal to join our team and help us secure our democracy and build a better Washington. This position is a unique opportunity to be on the front lines of the fight for a more ethical, equitable and accountable government, while working alongside smart, dedicated and kind people. 

As a leading nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog, CREW is dedicated to defending our democratic institutions, rooting out government corruption and fighting the influence of money in politics through legal action and communications grounded by in-depth research. CREW is looking for a Paralegal who is committed to our mission and cares deeply about protecting our democracy. We welcome diverse skills and experiences.

Responsibilities:

• Perform paralegal responsibilities such as cite-checking legal briefs, serving and mailing court filings, managing and filing of exhibits in CREW’s internal database, and note-taking as needed. 
• Serve as a resource for legal staff by managing, as an admin, tech accounts/services used by the legal team and coordinating with vendors of those services as needed. 
• Create processes and practices to improve the day-to-day efficiency and effectiveness of the legal team as needed.
• Support with the onboarding and offboarding of CREW’s legal interns, legal fellows and full-time hires. 
• Draft outreach materials to law schools regarding CREW’s legal fellowship program and manage partnerships with those law schools in collaboration with the Director of Operations and Senior Compliance Counsel.
• Track legal team’s expenses in a detailed credit report each month.  
• Manage correspondence and the organization of documents related to CREW’s support from its pro bono partners for tax and accounting purposes.
• Work closely with the Senior Paralegal, Deputy Chief Counsel, and CREW attorneys on a  variety of tasks. 

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3-7+ years professional experience, preferably in a non-profit or legal environment. 
• Paralegal certificate preferred.  
• Excellent problem-solving skills with an ability to respond quickly to changing priorities. 
• Enthusiasm for the legal profession and advancing good governance. 
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• The ability to work collaboratively.
• Initiative to identify needs, take charge of tasks, and get things done in an exciting, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to communicate effectively with CREW’s pro bono partners and legal fellowship program coordinators from various law schools.

The position is based in Washington, D.C. but will be hybrid with employees splitting their time between working at home and working in the office. The Paralegal reports to the Deputy Chief Counsel and Executive Director/Chief Counsel. 

Compensation/Benefits

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$100,000 based on experience and qualifications. CREW offers a compensation and benefits program that creates a supportive, respectful, sustainable environment that allows our employees to show up as their authentic selves and perform at their best. We’re in this work for the long-haul, and that means investing in our most important asset: our staff. Our benefits include: 

• Generous paid time off
• Platinum medical insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 55% of premium covered for dependents) 
• Dental and vision insurance (99.9% of premium covered for employees and 55% of premium covered for dependents)
• 10 weeks paid family leave for non-birthing parent and 16 weeks paid family leave for birthing parent
• Family planning benefits that includes a $10k annual employer contribution with up to $30k over the term of your employment for employees AND their partners
• Option to enroll in FSA and dependent care FSA accounts with a $2,500 employer contribution to dependent care FSAs
• Option to enroll in commuter benefits
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Fully vested 401k with 3% employer contribution
• One week of organization-wide paid holiday closures between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as major national holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Summer Fridays all year long 
• Free in-office lunches weekly
• Free virtual yoga classes

How to Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please include your last name and “Paralegal” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. 

CREW is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is seeking a paid part-time communications intern for the fall of 2025. As a nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog, CREW is dedicated to rooting out government corruption and fighting the influence of money in politics through legal action and bold communications grounded by in-depth research. 

The communications intern will assist in gaining coverage of CREW’s fight for an ethical and transparent government, learning how to monitor news and social media stories, create and keep press lists, draft and edit reports, press releases, and blog posts, track and interpret analytics, and develop web, email, and social media content. The ideal candidate will be an undergraduate student who is a strong writer and self-starter with a passion for ethics in government and interest in communications. This position is based in the DC metro area and will be a hybrid of remote and in-person (as needed). Therefore, the applicant must also be able to work independently and have self-motivation to complete tasks without supervision. Interns will receive a stipend of $700 a month.

How to Apply

Please email a resume, a non-academic writing sample, cover letter, and availability to [email protected]. Please place your last name and “Communications Intern” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. CREW is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the position without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeks undergraduate students to serve as research interns on a part-time basis for the fall of 2025. Undergraduate research interns will assist with research and operations alongside CREW’s research team. Interns will learn to use various sources of public information to track special interest spending, campaign spending, and political contributions, and will also review lobbying records. 

The ideal candidate will show interest in government ethics issues, including but not limited to dark money in politics, transparency, and democracy preservation. The candidate must also demonstrate a strong attention to detail, eagerness to learn, and be hard-working and resourceful. Preference will be given to candidates able to work 20 hours per week or more. This position is based in the DC metro area and will be a hybrid of remote and in-person (as needed). Therefore, the applicant must also be able to work independently and have self-motivation to complete tasks without supervision.  Students with an interest in government accountability and ethics are highly preferred. Interns will receive a stipend of $700 a month.

How to Apply

Please email a resume, a cover letter that includes how you heard about the opportunity, and availability at [email protected]. Please place your last name and “Research Intern” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. CREW is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.