About Local Progress
What is Local Progress?
Local Progress calls itself "a movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government." Founded in 2012, it has built a network of nearly 1,800 members — mayors, district attorneys, county commissioners, city councilmembers and school board members — across 47 states and Washington, D.C. Its staff develop and support local elected leaders, organise them "for collective impact" and share policy across the network, including through the Progressive Governance Academy, a leadership programme for state and local officials. Local Progress (legally Local Progress Policy Action, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit) works alongside the Local Progress Impact Lab.
Where will I work?
Remotely. Current openings are "remote, U.S.-based" with "no in-office requirement", and regional and state staff work with members across the country. Some state-focused roles ask you to live in that state — the California Director must live in California — and most roles travel to in-person events, typically up to six days a month. The organisation's mailing address is on K Street NW in Washington, D.C.
What is the Local Progress team like?
A staff of about 35 organisers, communications professionals, fundraisers, policy specialists, legal staff and operations managers. Non-management staff are represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild (CWA Local 32035): the unit won voluntary recognition in March 2022 and signed its first contract in April 2023. Pay follows a collectively bargained salary scale, and every posting states its range — $90,900 to $124,200 across the three roles open in September 2026, a Communications Manager, a Senior Staff Attorney and a California Director.
Work-Life Balance
"We operate on a four day workweek with a default schedule of Monday through Thursday," a current Local Progress posting says, and every live posting gives the same Monday-to-Thursday default. The schedule came in with the first union contract: "Effective June 5, 2023, Local Progress will adopt a four day workweek … a standard workday is eight (8) hours and a standard workweek is thirty-two (32) hours", with wages and benefits unchanged. A Tuesday-to-Friday alternative schedule covers weeks when Friday work is needed, including weeks with a Monday holiday, and the 2023 contract lets management schedule up to six five-day weeks a year for events such as staff retreats and national convenings. Flexible schedules can be requested and "will not be unreasonably denied", with 12–5pm ET kept for cross-team meetings. Expect some intense stretches too: the California Director posting asks for "the ability to work flexible, long hours when necessary".
Perks and Benefits
- Four-day, 32-hour week, Monday to Thursday by default, at unchanged pay
- Five weeks of vacation, 20 sick days and paid holidays every year
- Office closed from December 24 to January 1
- Health, dental and vision insurance; under the union contract Local Progress pays 100% of the employee's health premium and 75% of the extra cost for dependants
- Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, built up over the first months of employment (union contract)
- Contributions to employees' 403(b) retirement plans
- A paid sabbatical of up to three months after five years, two of them covered by Local Progress, with approval
- $750 to set up a home office when you join
- A published, collectively bargained salary scale