Application Guide

How to Apply for Associate, Technology

at Partners for Public Good

🏢 About Partners for Public Good

Partners for Public Good (PPG) is a mission-driven nonprofit that uniquely focuses on strengthening the core operational functions of state and local governments—procurement, staffing, digital infrastructure, and budgeting—to drive tangible public impact. Working here means you'll directly help governments serve their residents more effectively, with a collaborative, fast-paced remote culture that values innovation and equity.

About This Role

As an Associate in the Technology Portfolio, you'll support projects that modernize government technology through hands-on research, deliverable creation (e.g., roadmaps, dashboards, policies), and direct change management with government partners. This role is impactful because your work will help governments adopt better digital tools and processes, improving services for millions of residents.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with a government partner to discuss workshop logistics, followed by analyzing survey data from a recent process mapping exercise. You might then draft a product roadmap in Miro, review a policy document with the team, and end the day by preparing slides for an upcoming conference presentation.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Partners for Public Good Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of experience in government technology (public or private sector) or related work, with a bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
  • Strong project management skills, able to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
  • Familiarity with product management frameworks (e.g., agile, scrum) and/or UX design processes (e.g., design thinking, usability testing) and tools like Figma or Miro.
  • Comfortable with qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews, surveys, process mapping, and policy reviews.

📝 Tips for Applying to Partners for Public Good

1

Tailor your resume to highlight government technology experience or projects where you improved operational processes—use specific metrics if possible.

2

In your cover letter, mention your familiarity with product management or UX frameworks (e.g., agile, design thinking) and how you've applied them in a government or public sector context.

3

Showcase your ability to manage multiple priorities by describing a time you successfully juggled competing deadlines on a complex project.

4

If you have experience with Figma, Miro, or similar tools, explicitly list them and describe how you used them to drive collaboration or deliverables.

5

Research PPG's past projects (e.g., their work with state governments on procurement or digital services) and mention one that aligns with your skills in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for improving government operations and public impact, not just technology for its own sake.', 'Specific examples of your project management and research skills, especially in government or public sector contexts.', 'Your familiarity with product management or UX design frameworks and how they can help government partners adopt new tools.', 'Your ability to work remotely and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including government officials.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review PPG's website and read about their recent projects, especially the Technology Portfolio and their work with state and local governments.
  • → Look into PPG's blog or news section to understand their perspective on government innovation and operational reform.
  • → Check out their team page to learn about the backgrounds of current staff, especially in the Technology Portfolio.
  • → Research common challenges in state and local government technology (e.g., legacy systems, procurement hurdles) to show you understand the context.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you led a change management initiative with a government partner or client—what challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
2 How would you approach scoping a project to help a local government improve its digital infrastructure? Walk us through your process.
3 Can you give an example of a research deliverable (e.g., a dashboard, report, or roadmap) you created? What tools did you use and what was the impact?
4 How do you prioritize competing tasks when managing multiple projects with tight deadlines?
5 Tell us about your experience with agile or design thinking. How have you applied these frameworks in a non-tech or government setting?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention government or public sector experience—this role specifically requires that context.
  • Overemphasizing technical skills (e.g., coding) without connecting them to operational or process improvements—PPG focuses on core functions, not just tech.
  • Failing to demonstrate project management experience—this is critical given the multiple priorities and deliverables described.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Partners for Public Good!

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