Application Guide

How to Apply for IT Specialist

at Protect Democracy

🏢 About Protect Democracy

Protect Democracy is a unique non-partisan organization dedicated to preventing American democracy from declining into authoritarianism through litigation and policy advocacy. Working here means contributing directly to safeguarding democratic institutions, making it ideal for mission-driven professionals who want their technical skills to serve a critical societal purpose beyond typical corporate IT roles.

About This Role

This IT Specialist role is central to maintaining secure, functional digital infrastructure that enables Protect Democracy's high-stakes legal and advocacy work. You'll be responsible for securing sensitive organizational data, managing the internal intranet that coordinates remote teams, and ensuring seamless collaboration across systems while defending against potential threats targeting democracy-focused organizations.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start by reviewing security alerts and monitoring system health across Google Workspace and the internal intranet, then move to collaborating with legal teams on secure document sharing solutions. You'll likely spend time coordinating with website security vendors, implementing access controls for new team members, and troubleshooting technical issues for remote staff while maintaining vigilant oversight of the organization's overall security posture.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Protect Democracy Is Looking For

  • Has 7+ years of deep, hands-on experience specifically with Google Workspace administration in a mission-driven or security-conscious environment
  • Demonstrates practical experience implementing IT security controls for organizations handling sensitive information, with understanding of threats facing advocacy groups
  • Shows proven ability to manage technical vendors and consultants, particularly around website security and incident response coordination
  • Has experience maintaining internal intranet platforms that support distributed, remote teams working on time-sensitive projects

📝 Tips for Applying to Protect Democracy

1

Quantify your Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 experience with specific metrics: number of users managed, security incidents prevented, uptime percentages achieved

2

Highlight any experience securing systems for organizations handling sensitive data or operating in politically charged environments

3

Demonstrate understanding of how IT supports mission-driven work by connecting your technical achievements to organizational impact in previous roles

4

Show remote collaboration expertise by describing how you've supported distributed teams through intranet management and secure communication systems

5

Include examples of vendor management specifically around security services, certificates, and incident response coordination

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Explain why protecting democracy specifically motivates you and how your IT skills can advance this mission', 'Detail your hands-on experience with Google Workspace administration beyond basic user management', 'Describe your approach to IT security in environments where data sensitivity requires heightened vigilance', 'Provide concrete examples of managing technical vendors for security-related services']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Protect Democracy's major litigation cases and policy initiatives to understand their specific work
  • → Research threats facing democracy-focused organizations (cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, etc.)
  • → Understand the unique security challenges of remote legal and advocacy work
  • → Explore how non-partisan organizations maintain neutrality while engaging in politically charged work
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would secure Google Workspace for an organization handling sensitive legal documents and communications
2 Describe your experience managing security incidents and coordinating with external vendors for response
3 How would you balance security requirements with usability for a remote team working on urgent advocacy campaigns?
4 What specific metrics would you track to demonstrate the effectiveness of our IT security posture?
5 How have you previously supported internal knowledge sharing and collaboration through intranet platforms?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Treating this as just another IT job without demonstrating understanding of the mission's importance
  • Having only corporate IT experience without considering the unique security needs of advocacy organizations
  • Focusing solely on technical skills without showing ability to manage vendors and collaborate across teams

📅 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 Protect Democracy!

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