Moderate Power Project

Our Programs

Talent Pipeline

Finding and helping place moderates in key political and policy roles

APPLY TO JOIN THE PIPELINE

Personnel is policy.

Smart federal policy depends on bright, diverse, and dedicated staff. Gender, race, sexual orientation, and geographic diversity are all essential, as is ideology. For Democratic administrations, congressional offices, and campaigns, that means having center-left voices in key roles to consistently offer pragmatic and sophisticated viewpoints.

That’s why the Moderate Talent Pipeline is a critical piece of Third Way’s Moderate Power Project. We are identifying, recruiting, and helping place moderate leaders throughout government—political appointees in the White House and federal agencies, staff in congressional offices and committees, and leaders within prominent Democratic campaigns. We maintain a list of top vetted candidates, provide them with ongoing support, and help get them placed in key roles.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking people who share our passion for pursuing progress over positioning, pushing back against ideological rigidity and litmus tests, and taking pragmatic and politically resonant approaches to the most pressing economic, social, climate, energy, and security issues facing the country.

Behind every effective policy are teams of people doing research, strategy, communications, and advocacy. Join us.

Contact Us

Know someone who should join our pipeline? Is your organization hiring? Let us know!

Destine Hicks-Lundy | Director of Government Personnel

[email protected]

Submit an application

If you are ideologically moderate and interested in learning about political career opportunities, apply to join our pipeline!

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“

I’ve worked the ground game in the South and staffed agencies in Washington—I know how power is built, and who gets left out when we’re not intentional. The center left can’t afford to treat personnel as an afterthought. We’re building that bench now—for 2026, 2028, and beyond.

”

Destine Hicks-Lundy

Director, Government Personnel

Our Process

  • Step 1

    APPLY

    Confidentially submit your resume and answer some short questions about your background, ideas, and motivations for pursuing a position with a Democratic campaign, congressional office, or future administration.

    Submit an application
  • Step 2

    INTERVIEW

    A member of the talent pipeline team will reach out to discuss your experience, interests, and where you might fit across the federal government and campaigns.

  • Step 3

    RECOMMENDATION

    Select candidates will receive a recommendation from the Moderate Talent Pipeline and be included on slates of candidates for key government and campaign positions. We’ll work to help place recommended candidates in new job openings, shaping the future of government with skilled and dedicated individuals who are committed to making a difference for our democracy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The Moderate Talent Pipeline does not have direct hiring power. We work to help place selected candidates in our pipeline—which includes regularly tracking job openings and sharing our recommended candidates with people who hire in the White House and federal agencies, congressional offices and committees, and Democratic campaigns. In addition to our advocacy for moderate candidates, we encourage individuals to continue applying directly to roles they are interested in.

  • Positions in the White House, federal agencies, Capitol Hill, or Democratic campaigns are primarily in-office and based in Washington, DC. Although some roles may allow occasional remote work, these typically are not fully remote opportunities.

  • Typically, to be eligible for employment with the federal government, you need to be a US citizen or a US national. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. For further information on the exceptions applicable to non-US citizens at federal agencies, please click here. Additionally, you can find details about the current Congressional requirements here.

  • Absolutely! If you are currently employed in Congress or the Executive Branch, you can still confidentially apply. The Moderate Talent Pipeline is eager to recommend federal government employees who want to advance their careers. If you are a congressional staffer seeking a position in another office, committee, or aiming to transition into a federal agency or White House, the Moderate Talent Pipeline can help. The same applies to those in the Executive Branch looking to explore new roles, switch agencies, or transition into a congressional staff position.

  • Each office within Congress has the authority to establish its own staff salary structures. As a result, there can be notable variations in compensation for similar positions across different offices, committees, and leadership roles—as well as between the House and Senate. For further details, you may refer to the CRS Reports on Staff Pay Levels for both the House and Senate.

    Most political appointees in the executive branch are compensated according to the General Schedule pay scale, which consists of 15 grades, each with 10 steps, combining base pay with locality pay adjustments. Additional information can be found through the Partnership for Public Service and the US Office of Personnel Management. The 2024 Salary Tables are available for review here, and further insights into salaries for political appointment roles can be accessed here as well.

  • The Moderate Talent Pipeline accepts and reviews confidential applications on an ongoing basis.

Want to learn about moderate jobs and training opportunities?

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