Department: Rights and Justice
Position classification: Internship
Minimum compensation: $16.10 per hour
Work site: Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)
Summary
American Progress has two openings for spring internships in its Rights and Justice department. American Progress is a leader in addressing issues of criminal justice reform, disability justice, gun violence prevention, immigration policy, LGBTQI+ policy, and racial equity and justice by driving research, messaging, and policy to defend and advance progressive policies that protect Americans’ rights.
Interns working with American Progress’ Rights and Justice department will have the opportunity to complete substantive research, policy, and communications work across the department’s policy focus areas. Within this framework, interns will develop skills and experience to contribute effectively to the national conversation. This role will be driven by American Progress’ mission to improve the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action, with the aim of not only changing the conversation, but changing the country.
Rights and Justice interns will be part of a dynamic department that supports work across American Progress’ five crosscutting priorities:
- Strengthening health and ending the pandemic
- Building an economy for all
- Tackling climate change and environmental injustice
- Advancing racial equity and justice
- Restoring social trust in democracy
Candidates who apply for the Rights and Justice internships will work closely with a combination of one or more of the following teams: Criminal Justice Reform, Disability Justice Initiative, Gun Violence Prevention, Immigration Policy, LGBTQI+ Policy, and Racial Equity and Justice.
Responsibilities:
All interns with the Rights and Justice department will contribute to the core work of the policy teams, completing day-to-day assignments in addition to more extensive research projects. Interns will work closely with one or more staff members who will help foster knowledge of policy areas, government operations, and confidence working in a fast-paced office setting. Typical responsibilities include:
- Contributing to writing memos, blog posts, articles, event summaries, and reports.
- Monitoring and summarizing relevant congressional activities, such as hearings.
- Assisting with identifying opportunities to affect agency actions by monitoring the Federal Register.
- Carrying out web-based research and compile news clips on issue areas.
- Compiling and manipulating data in Microsoft Excel.
- Drafting rapid-response communications.
- Updating fact sheets, talking points, and documents on topics of current pertinence.
- Tracking and developing content for social media to enhance the department’s social media presence.
Other duties may include conducting targeted research and reporting on policy meetings, seminars, hearings, and lectures. Whenever possible, interns are encouraged to write on a subject of their choice, either as a contributor to a larger piece or as the individual author of an article for the website.
Requirements and qualifications:
- Current pursuance of an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, or recent graduate of such a program.
- Excellent research, writing, and editing skills.
- Interest in public policy, advocacy, and communications.
- Familiarity with different types of traditional and social media.
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
- Self-starter who takes initiative and seeks direction as needed.
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
- Ability to diagnose problems and identify creative solutions.
- Commitment to American Progress’ mission and goals.
Application requirements and details:
- Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample.
- Please ensure that your cover letter describes which aspects of the Rights and Justice department’s work you find most interesting, and which aspects of policy you would most like to learn about through an internship with American Progress.
American Progress interns are paid at the Washington, D.C., minimum wage rate of $16.10 per hour and receive paid time off for applicable holidays.
Interns are expected to be available to work from and commute to American Progress’ Washington, D.C., office at least two days per week.
We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and the levels of community spread and adjust plans as needed for in-office work. Any changes to our current hybrid office work policy will be communicated at the time of hire. Updates will be posted on American Progress’ Jobs page.
