Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy Director

at Humans in Control

🏢 About Humans in Control

Humans in Control is a unique bipartisan grassroots movement focused specifically on AI safety, bridging political divides to protect vulnerable populations from unchecked AI risks. Unlike traditional tech policy organizations, they combine grassroots mobilization with concrete legislative action, offering the chance to work on urgent, high-impact issues in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

About This Role

As Policy Director, you'll design and execute state legislative strategies for AI safety, translating grassroots energy into tangible policy wins. This role involves tracking AI safety bills, building bipartisan coalitions with legislators, and developing a policy agenda from state-level initiatives to federal proposals, directly shaping the future of AI governance.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve tracking emerging AI safety bills across multiple states, strategizing with grassroots volunteers on advocacy opportunities, and building relationships with legislators' offices to advance bipartisan coalition strategies. You'd balance immediate legislative tracking with developing longer-term policy agendas, while preparing volunteers with testimony and briefing leadership on critical policy developments.

🎯 Who Humans in Control Is Looking For

  • Has experience designing and executing state legislative strategies, particularly in tech or safety-related policy areas
  • Demonstrates ability to build bipartisan coalitions and relationships with legislators across political spectrums
  • Possesses strong grassroots mobilization skills to translate volunteer energy into concrete policy advocacy
  • Can develop comprehensive policy agendas spanning from immediate state wins to ambitious federal proposals

📝 Tips for Applying to Humans in Control

1

Highlight specific examples of state legislative wins you've driven, especially in bipartisan environments

2

Demonstrate understanding of current AI safety legislation at state levels (like California's AI bills or Colorado's AI regulations)

3

Show how you've translated grassroots energy into policy outcomes in previous roles

4

Reference Humans in Control's bipartisan approach and explain how you'd navigate political divides on AI safety

5

Provide concrete examples of building relationships with legislators and developing coalition strategies

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience designing state legislative strategies, particularly for emerging tech or safety issues', 'Specific examples of building bipartisan coalitions and working across political divides', "How you've translated grassroots energy into concrete policy wins in previous roles", 'Your vision for developing AI safety policy from state-level initiatives to federal proposals']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Review Humans in Control's specific campaigns and legislative priorities on their website
  • Research current state-level AI safety bills across different states and their bipartisan support levels
  • Study the organization's bipartisan approach and how they navigate political divides on AI issues
  • Understand the specific risks of unchecked AI that the organization highlights in their materials
Visit Humans in Control's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a state legislative strategy for AI safety in a politically divided state?
2 What specific AI safety bills are you tracking currently, and which would you prioritize for grassroots action?
3 Describe your experience building relationships with legislators from both parties on contentious issues
4 How would you prepare volunteers to testify effectively on complex AI safety legislation?
5 What's your approach to developing a policy agenda that balances immediate state wins with long-term federal goals?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on federal policy without demonstrating state legislative strategy experience
  • Showing partisan bias rather than demonstrating ability to work across political divides
  • Using generic AI policy talking points without specific examples of grassroots-to-policy translation

📅 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 Humans in Control!