Congressional Transportation Fellowship, Sponsored by Waymo

CBCF Transportation Fellow works in congressional member and committee offices, attend leadership development seminars, complete a community service project, implement policy forums, and produce policy papers with a focus on transportation policy and equity.

During the first 6 months, fellows are placed in the personal office of a Member of Congress and gain invaluable experience as they represent the Member at briefings, stakeholder meetings, and similar official events; conduct quality research; write speeches, opening remarks, and other written work products as assigned; research and provide policy recommendations on relevant issues; recommending co-sponsorships of or amendments to legislation to the Member; monitor legislative activity on the House or Senate floor; and handle long-term and short-term legislative planning for the Member of Congress. Fellows will specifically focus on transportation policy, in particular issues of transportation equity and issues impacting the African American community.

During the last 6 months, fellows transition to a congressional committee with jurisdiction over some aspect of transportation policy. The committee placement complements their experience in a member’s office and provides fellows with a full view of the legislative process, including: overseeing a bill move from the committee to the floor, recommending strategies and tactics on bills and positions, and writing and reviewing legislative memos.

The Congressional Fellowship Program equips early career-policy professionals who are committed to contributing to public policy with the necessary skills by being placed in the Senate, House of Representatives and other select offices to become the next generation of leaders in public service. The program is an intensive 12-month policy training and leadership development program which enables fellows to receive hands-on public policy training as full-time legislative aides and policy analysts.

Interested and qualified applicants should complete all fields in the online application and submit a cover letter (2 pages maximum) and a short resume (2 pages maximum). The cover letter should explain the applicant’s interest in transportation, mobility innovation, and/or autonomous vehicles. * Additionally, the cover letter should explain how the fellowship fits into the applicant’s career plans at this time, and attributes and experience that would make the applicant highly effective in this position*.

CBCF staff will offer three information sessions to allow prospective applicants to learn more about our Fellowship program. Should this be of interest, please register for the information session of your choice:
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 6 PM EST:
Information Session
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 6 PM EST:
Information Session
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 6 PM EST:
Information Session

Candidate Requirements

• COVID vaccination, including booster shot
• U.S. citizenship or a permit to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program (September 2022 to September 2023)
• A master’s degree, doctoral degree, or juris doctorate obtained by the start date of the program
• Familiarity with the federal legislative process, the U.S. Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus and its members, and related policy
• Superior analytical skills
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice either through public policy, professional experience, or community-related activism aimed at improving the living conditions of the global Black community

Application Materials
The completed online application must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET, May 6, 2022. The following items will be requested through the online application:

• 2 Essay Question Responses
• 2 letters of recommendation, submitted electronically (hard copy letters will not be accepted)
• Resume listing extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and special skills (2-page limit)
• Cover letter discussing the applicant’s academic and professional background, and explaining the applicant’s interest in the Fellowship, how the fellowship fits into the applicant’s career plans, and any experience that would make the applicant highly effective in this position (2-page limit)
• A recent photograph suitable for publication (i.e., a graduation photo or other professional-quality photograph in which the subject is formally dressed)

Selection Process
The selection process is highly competitive. Annually, CBCF accepts fewer than 10% of those who apply. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee comprised of CBCF staff and external partners. Only top candidates receive an invitation to interview for a select number of fellowship opportunities, based on the quality of their application and demonstrated interest in social justice policy. Finalists are selected and notified by the CBCF. Any incomplete or late application packets will not be reviewed.

• Applicants should be prepared to interview between May 23 and June 10, 2022, with an acceptance or declination deadline of June 20, 2022. The program will begin on September 2022 in Washington, DC.

Fellowship Benefits

• CBCF Congressional Fellows receive a full salary and benefits for the duration of the program.
• As part of our new partnership with Air B n B, Fellows who take part in our Fall 2022 Congressional and John R. Lewis NREI Social Justice Fellowships will receive two months of transitional housing prior to their official move to Washington, DC. Details will follow pending applicant acceptance.

COVID-19 Guidelines
The in-person nature of this program will require both full vaccination and adherence to CDC guidelines, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to applying to this program, please read the following expectations in their entirety:
Vaccination Policy

• Congressional Fellows must (i) provide proof that they are fully vaccinated prior to the start date of the program or (ii) obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation (the process for seeking an accommodation is explained below)*. *Only vaccines authorized for emergency use and/or full use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are acceptable under this policy.
• Until full vaccination is documented or an approved exemption as an accommodation is obtained, Congressional Fellows may not be approved to participate in the Congressional Fellowship.
• All Congressional Fellows are expected to have completed a full vaccination regime (to include booster shots), or have an approved exemption accommodation.
• Congressional Fellows who fail to become fully vaccinated or obtain an approved exemption accommodation before the program’s start date will be subject to being rejected from the program.

Requests for Accommodations
Congressional Fellows may request an approved exemption from the vaccination requirement as an accommodation for medical or sincerely held religious reasons:

• Congressional Fellows may request an accommodation for a medical reason such as a disability (as defined by applicable law), pregnancy (or childbirth or a related medical condition), being a nursing mother, having a documented medical condition that contraindicates the vaccination, or any other trait, characteristic, or class for which applicable law requires the CBCF to provide reasonable workplace accommodations.
• Congressional Fellows may request an accommodation for a non-medical reason, such as an objection to being vaccinated on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.

Accommodation requests for the Spring 2022 Congressional Fellowship should be submitted to Human Resources in writing no later than June 20, 2022.

Additional Note: Former Fellows, immediate relatives of a CBCF employee, CBC Member, CBC Spouse, a staff person of a CBC Member or Spouse, a member of the CBCF Board of Directors, Corporate Advisory Council Member of CBCF, or any CBCF-sponsoring entity are not eligible for CBCF Fellowship programs.

Please email Fellowships@cbcfinc.org with any questions.