Job Opportunities
- Summer Intern – Accessing and Presenting Data for Public Policy Analysis
- Summer Intern – CCDF Payment Practices and Access to Childcare in CA
- Summer Intern – Labor Market Transformation
- Summer Intern – Mapping the Civics Landscape
- Summer Intern – “Off-Formula” Funding in California Public Schools
PPIC offers competitive salaries with an extensive benefits package—including comprehensive health coverage, generous paid time off and holiday leave, and substantial employer contributions to best-in-class retirement funds. We work in a hybrid environment with offices in San Francisco and Sacramento.
Internships
The PPIC summer intern program invites undergraduate and graduate students to work closely with our staff on dedicated projects. Interns engage with all aspects of the institution, including regular meetings, all-staff gatherings, research presentations, and external events such as the institute’s public affairs programs and briefings. Internships are paid and typically last about eleven weeks. The 2026 PPIC summer intern program application period is currently open.
Work Culture
Our talented, mission-driven staff is motivated by a desire to improve the lives of Californians through objective, nonpartisan policy research.
We foster a dynamic environment for rigorous research combined with frequent interactions with policymakers, the media, and other leaders across the state. We take a highly collaborative approach to putting research into action: research experts work closely with colleagues in communications, government affairs, and operations to ensure that our work is timely, relevant, and accessible.
One of California’s greatest strengths is the incredible diversity of its population. PPIC relies on a broad array of perspectives and experiences to make our work more relevant, more effective, and more valuable. We welcome diversity of all kinds—racial/ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity, and point of view, among others.
We support our colleague’s professional growth through a mentorship program for incoming staff, training opportunities and educational assistance, and annual goal-setting supported by weekly meetings and quarterly check-ins. Staff members also have access to external support and resources, including advisory councils, academic networks and libraries, and technical instruction.
Teams across the institute gather frequently for professional and casual events, including research seminars, discussions with external experts, and celebrations of landmark occasions—from Pi Day to Pride. PPIC also provides volunteer opportunities for all staff.
Leadership and Staff Demographics
The following interactive provides a snapshot of our staff as of July 1, 2025 and our board as of October 27, 2025.
NOTES: Figures for PPIC staff are based on data from an employee self-identification questionnaire completed by PPIC employees, along with birthdate information collected for personnel recordkeeping. Race and gender categories are aligned with the federal government’s guidelines for workforce reporting. Latino staff of any race are grouped together, and we display gender in a binary manner (male/female) because of the way that data is currently collected.
