Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy Director, Implementation and Government Talent

at Secure AI Project

🏢 About Secure AI Project

Secure AI Project is a nonprofit at the forefront of mitigating extreme risks from advanced AI through pragmatic policy. Their focus on state-level implementation and government talent placement is unique, offering a chance to directly shape how AI safety laws are enforced.

About This Role

This role blends policy development with talent recruitment, focusing on placing experts in state regulatory offices overseeing frontier AI. You'll own the strategy for building a pipeline of qualified candidates and create materials to guide implementation, making it a high-impact position at the intersection of AI safety and governance.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve meeting with a state agency to discuss their regulatory staffing needs, then drafting a policy brief on how to assess compliance with a new AI law. You'd also review candidate profiles, refine recruitment outreach, and coordinate with experts to fill specific roles.

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🎯 Who Secure AI Project Is Looking For

  • Has experience in both policy development and talent recruitment, ideally for regulatory or government roles.
  • Possesses deep understanding of AI safety, frontier model risks, and current governance debates (e.g., compute governance, red-teaming).
  • Excellent at building relationships with state agencies and translating complex policy into actionable guidance.
  • Able to create clear, compelling policy materials and assess corporate compliance with AI legislation.

📝 Tips for Applying to Secure AI Project

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience recruiting for government or regulatory positions, not just general talent acquisition.

2

Demonstrate knowledge of Secure AI Project's specific policy proposals (e.g., their model registration framework) and how they apply at the state level.

3

In your cover letter, mention which state AI bills you're familiar with (e.g., California's SB 1047) and how you'd approach implementation.

4

Show you understand the talent gap in state AI regulation by referencing recent hires or challenges in states like Colorado.

5

Provide concrete examples of policy materials you've created (e.g., compliance checklists, guidance documents) that are relevant to AI governance.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your ability to bridge policy expertise with talent strategy, emphasizing how you'll recruit experts for niche AI regulatory roles.", "Familiarity with Secure AI Project's mission and specific policy work, especially their focus on state-level implementation.", 'Experience building relationships with government agencies and understanding their talent needs.', 'Your skill in translating complex AI safety concepts into practical guidance for regulators and companies.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Secure AI Project's published policy briefs and blog posts on state AI implementation.
  • → Study recent state AI laws (e.g., California, Colorado, Connecticut) and their implementation status.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the current landscape of AI regulatory talent: who is hiring, what roles exist, and where gaps are.
  • → Review Secure AI Project's team and board members to understand their expertise and network.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you identify and vet candidates for a state AI regulatory position? What qualifications are non-negotiable?
2 Describe a time you developed a recruitment strategy for a hard-to-fill role. What metrics did you use?
3 How do you stay current on AI safety and governance developments? Can you discuss a recent state AI bill?
4 Imagine a state agency needs help interpreting a compliance requirement. How would you create a policy material for them?
5 What do you think is the biggest challenge in implementing AI safety legislation at the state level, and how would you address it?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing too much on general AI enthusiasm without showing concrete knowledge of AI safety policy and state-level nuances.
  • Treating this as a standard recruitment role; emphasize policy understanding and mission alignment.
  • Ignoring the 'government talent' aspect—this is not just about placing people in private sector jobs.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: July 26, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

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 Secure AI Project!

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