Senior Fellow: Worker-First Enforcement and Protections

Role Overview The Senior Fellow for Enforcement-Worker-First Protections will lead specialized research and policy innovation focused on workplace safety, worker classification, and emerging technological challenges. Core Responsibilities Workplace Rights, Health, & Safety : Develop innovative models for enforcing misclassification, wage theft, workplace safety, hazard pay, anti-retaliation protections, and more, with a focus on developing replicable, place-specific strategic enforcement models. Policy Leadership & Innovation : Design durable policy solutions, such as indexing minimum wages to median wages and/or monthly rent, to lead state-level policy shifts. Analytical Impact : Ensure all policy decisions are analytically informed, focusing on the projected scale of impact and the number of workers assisted, in partnership with the VP of Narrative and Impact. Legal Strategy Integration : Collaborate with a potential new Senior Director of Legal Strategy to support amicus briefs and federal rule-making responses. Strategic Partnership : Work closely with the VP of Policy Solutions and the VP of Partnerships and Advocacy to align policy research with high-impact advocacy campaigns. Key Deliverables: Conduct outreach and map policy trends and campaigns in their focus area. Convene and lead strategy sessions, including with NELP staff and the Board Program Committee. Author a final policy report/proposal with actionable recommendations, co-authoring with NELP staff where appropriate. Present findings publicly, including through public speaking and media engagement. Qualifications Advanced expertise in labor law, specifically regarding worker protections and their enforcement. Knowledge of creative and strategic enforcement initiatives and models. Demonstrated ability to develop models that provide durable and adaptable blueprints across different jurisdictions. Program Logistics Duration : 6 months (June – November/December) Contract: Consultancy Availability: Fellow must be available to attend internal meetings (estimated 2 hours per week.) Additionally, Fellow must be able to participate in-person at a NELP convening in September in either Washington DC or New York. Location: Any location within the US Reporting : Reports to the VP of Policy and Strategy. Compensation : NELP offers competitive compensation. Application Deadline and Instructions Deadline: Please apply no later than May 25, 2026 Instructions: Submit a resume and expression of interest highlighting your experience and availability. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.