What are the responsibilities and job description for the GenAI Policy Specialist - USDS position at TikTok USDS Joint Venture?
Responsibilities
About the Role
This role will sit within the USDS Policy Implementation team and focus on Generative AI (GenAI). You will champion the safe deployment of policies related to Generative AI and Machine Learning models for the US market, with a specific focus on pre-release performance evaluation, bias mitigation, and safety policy architecture. You will shape research-backed assessments to ensure our AI products—including search tools like Tako—are equitable, safe, and compliant with US-specific safety expectations before they reach our users.
Responsibilities
- Conduct the end-to-end safety and fairness evaluation of GenAI models prior to US market launch. This includes conducting AI Fairness Impact Assessments, and adhering to "go/no-go" safety thresholds.
- Partner with the Global Policy team to translate operational needs and US-specific data into requirements for new policy drafts. (Note: This role does not write the policies; it informs them).
- Act as the primary bridge between Engineering, Security, Data Science, Legal, and Product teams to translate complex technical risks into actionable policy requirements for the US market.
- Support the implementation of quantitative frameworks to assess fairness risks in LLMs and recommendation models, ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable communities within the US are protected and represented.
- Support the responsible deployment of AI-powered tools (e.g., Tako) by providing prompt-level safety guidance and optimizing product safety features to promote community well-being.
- Support operations and products by providing policy adjudications and calibrations for US GenAI cases.
- Influence and help prioritize the development of dashboards, infrastructure, and tooling to support ongoing model review and automated compliance monitoring.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- 3 years of experience in Trust & Safety, AI Governance, Product Development, or Applied Research, with a focus on the US technology sector.
- Technical Expertise: A deep understanding of how models and products are developed and trained, with the ability to navigate technical trade-offs with Engineering and Data Science.
- Demonstrated Success: Experience in a fast-paced technology company conducting AI impact assessments, risk assessments, or algorithmic audits.
- Strategic Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills with the ability to advocate for fairness amongst a wide variety of stakeholders including Legal, Public Policy, and Engineering.
Preferred Qualifications
- AI Governance, Data Science or Trust & Safety background.
- Understanding of Trust & Safety positioning in the entertainment media technology sector, with comfort learning internal tools and product workflows.
- Experience working with social media platforms, whether in industry or through academic research.
Trust & Safety
Content that this role interacts with includes images, video, and text related to every-day life, but it can also include (but is not limited to) bullying; hate speech; child safety; depictions of harm to self and others, and harm to animals. Hence, it is possible that this role will be exposed to harmful content on a daily basis.
TikTok recognises that keeping our platform safe for the TikTok communities is no ordinary job which can be both rewarding and psychologically demanding and emotionally taxing for some. This is why we are sharing the potential hazards, risks and implications in this unique line of work from the start, so our candidates are well informed before joining.
We are committed to the wellbeing of all our employees and promise to provide comprehensive and evidence-based programs, to promote and support physical and mental wellbeing throughout each employee's journey with us. We believe that wellbeing is a relationship and that everyone has a part to play, so we work in collaboration and consultation with our employees and across our functions in order to ensure a truly person-centred, innovative and integrated approach.
About USDS
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.
On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
USDS Reasonable Accommodation
USDS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/USDS-RA
Job Information
【For Pay Transparency】 Compensation Description (Annually) - Washington, DC
The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $ 86400 - $ 195320 annually.
Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
About the Role
This role will sit within the USDS Policy Implementation team and focus on Generative AI (GenAI). You will champion the safe deployment of policies related to Generative AI and Machine Learning models for the US market, with a specific focus on pre-release performance evaluation, bias mitigation, and safety policy architecture. You will shape research-backed assessments to ensure our AI products—including search tools like Tako—are equitable, safe, and compliant with US-specific safety expectations before they reach our users.
Responsibilities
- Conduct the end-to-end safety and fairness evaluation of GenAI models prior to US market launch. This includes conducting AI Fairness Impact Assessments, and adhering to "go/no-go" safety thresholds.
- Partner with the Global Policy team to translate operational needs and US-specific data into requirements for new policy drafts. (Note: This role does not write the policies; it informs them).
- Act as the primary bridge between Engineering, Security, Data Science, Legal, and Product teams to translate complex technical risks into actionable policy requirements for the US market.
- Support the implementation of quantitative frameworks to assess fairness risks in LLMs and recommendation models, ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable communities within the US are protected and represented.
- Support the responsible deployment of AI-powered tools (e.g., Tako) by providing prompt-level safety guidance and optimizing product safety features to promote community well-being.
- Support operations and products by providing policy adjudications and calibrations for US GenAI cases.
- Influence and help prioritize the development of dashboards, infrastructure, and tooling to support ongoing model review and automated compliance monitoring.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- 3 years of experience in Trust & Safety, AI Governance, Product Development, or Applied Research, with a focus on the US technology sector.
- Technical Expertise: A deep understanding of how models and products are developed and trained, with the ability to navigate technical trade-offs with Engineering and Data Science.
- Demonstrated Success: Experience in a fast-paced technology company conducting AI impact assessments, risk assessments, or algorithmic audits.
- Strategic Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills with the ability to advocate for fairness amongst a wide variety of stakeholders including Legal, Public Policy, and Engineering.
Preferred Qualifications
- AI Governance, Data Science or Trust & Safety background.
- Understanding of Trust & Safety positioning in the entertainment media technology sector, with comfort learning internal tools and product workflows.
- Experience working with social media platforms, whether in industry or through academic research.
Trust & Safety
Content that this role interacts with includes images, video, and text related to every-day life, but it can also include (but is not limited to) bullying; hate speech; child safety; depictions of harm to self and others, and harm to animals. Hence, it is possible that this role will be exposed to harmful content on a daily basis.
TikTok recognises that keeping our platform safe for the TikTok communities is no ordinary job which can be both rewarding and psychologically demanding and emotionally taxing for some. This is why we are sharing the potential hazards, risks and implications in this unique line of work from the start, so our candidates are well informed before joining.
We are committed to the wellbeing of all our employees and promise to provide comprehensive and evidence-based programs, to promote and support physical and mental wellbeing throughout each employee's journey with us. We believe that wellbeing is a relationship and that everyone has a part to play, so we work in collaboration and consultation with our employees and across our functions in order to ensure a truly person-centred, innovative and integrated approach.
About USDS
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.
On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
USDS Reasonable Accommodation
USDS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/USDS-RA
Job Information
【For Pay Transparency】 Compensation Description (Annually) - Washington, DC
The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $ 86400 - $ 195320 annually.
Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
Salary : $86,400 - $195,320