Internship Opportunity: Voices for Progress Policy and Legislative Intern

PLEASE NOTE: This opportunity is listed for reference only. The deadline to apply has passed.

This is a paid employment opportunity from outside the Rockefeller Center.

Position Type: Employment - paid

Location: Washington, DC

Sector: Politics

Start and End Date: 09/10/18 — 12/03/18

Wage or benefits: $12/hour as well as a $50 monthly transit stipend

Time Commitment: Part-time (16 to 20 hours per week with the ability to work a minimum of 4 hours per shift)

Desired Class Year: Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students

Desired Major or Interest: Politics, political science, or federal policy

Application Deadline: 7/14/18

Organization website: https://voicesforprogress.org/

Brief Description of the organization:

Voices for Progress is a young and progressive advocacy organization building a counterweight to the armies of wealthy people and corporations who seek policies serving their own narrow financial self-interest. V4P has enlisted hundreds of philanthropists, investors, and business leaders nationwide to advocate in the public interest. Our members and staff meet with elected officials throughout the year to fight against climate change and poverty, to end big money's dominance of elections, and to win public investments in economic opportunity. 

You will have the exciting opportunity to work closely with the policy team in preparation for the semi-annual Federal Advocacy Summit—a two-day event featuring advocacy meetings with U.S. Senators—and assist with several other federal policy priorities. Assignments will add value to Voices for Progress' advocacy work and your development as a professional in the policy/advocacy field, including researching and tracking policy and legislation, writing and preparing backgrounders on senators and policy issues, and planning for meetings with Members of Congress. 

Our internship will offer you access to a number of professional development opportunities, including participating in coalition meetings, attending networking events, shadowing meetings on the Hill, and attending policy forums and briefings based on our work and your interests. The Policy and Legislative Intern is a temporary position and will report to the Senior Policy and Legislative Associate. 

Brief Description of the Intern's role:

  • Contribute to success of two-day Federal Advocacy Summit by preparing advocacy materials, documents, communications, and webinars; assisting with day-of logistics and attending advocacy meetings with U.S. Senators and their staff.
  • Participate in and take notes at policy briefings, advocacy meetings with elected officials and other advocacy-related events on Capitol Hill.
  • Monitor legislative and policy developments and conduct in-depth research on specific policy issues.
  • Prepare issue briefs, factsheets, talking points and policy analyses on assigned issues.
  • Staff the reception desk on a rotating schedule by answering the phone, greeting guests, accepting and sorting mail.
  • Support other departments as needed throughout the semester.

Brief Description of the Intern's key qualifications:

  • Current junior or senior undergraduate student or graduate student pursuing a degree focused on politics, political science, or federal policy; or have a passion for these topics. 
  • Availability to work a between 16 to 20 hours per week with the ability to work a minimum of 4 hours per shift, during the hours of 9am – 6pm. 
  • Well organized and able to track and appropriately prioritize multiple projects. 
  • Strong writing, research, communication and interpersonal skills. 
  • Impeccable attention to detail and strong proof reading skills. 
  • Well-informed and interested in current events, politics and policy issues. 
  • Dynamic and self-directed person eager to support a small but mighty team. 
  • Strong time management skills and ability to compile research and write briefings quickly to meet tight, fast-moving deadlines. 
  • Creative thinker who is always willing to take on new challenges. 

How to apply:

Please submit a one page cover letter that answers the following questions: Why are you interested in interning at Voices for Progress, and what are your qualifications? What policy issues are you most interested in? Please also send resume, Monday-Friday availability, and a two to four paragraph writing sample to voicesforprogressjobs@gmail.com by Monday, July 14. Please include "D.C. Policy Intern" in the subject line and indicate where you saw the job posting in the text of the email. Due to the volume of applicants, we will only contact applicants whose skill sets and experience meet our needs.