Summer 2023 Internship, National Political Advocacy Department (Justice Division) | ACLU

SUMMER 2023 UNDERGRADUATE INTERN, NATIONAL POLITICAL ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT (JUSTICE DIVISION)
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION

The ACLU seeks an Undergraduate Intern in the Justice Division of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C (or remote). 

The ACLU’s Justice Division is committed to realizing a new criminal legal system – one that is substantially smaller than its current size while also keeping communities safe, advancing racial justice, treating people fairly, and using fiscal resources wisely. The ACLU’s Justice Division works with partners to build a movement for social change and win state-based reforms needed to cut the size of our nation’s incarcerated population by 50 percent. The Division is committed to advancing both decarceration and racial justice. The issue of mass incarceration is ripe for bipartisan involvement, and the ACLU works collaboratively with groups across the political spectrum to achieve our goal of ending mass incarceration. 

The intern will be responsible for helping advance campaign strategy and communications related to the Redemption Campaign, pre-trial detention campaigns, and assisting with other Justice Division administrative and research-based projects. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Building clemency infrastructure resources for the ACLU and its affiliates  
• Preparing advocacy and public education materials; drafting memorandum and partner correspondence 
• Monitoring social media for clemency and bail-related posts 
• Providing research and drafting support for criminal legal reform reports 
• Monitoring legal and legislative developments in state legislatures and on Capitol Hill 
• Communications research and drafting of messaging materials 
• Other duties as assigned 
• Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes  
• Demonstrate a commitment to the mission of the ACLU  
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance  
• Demonstrate a commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts  

This posting provides a general but not comprehensive list of the opportunities of the internship.  

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS 

• Excellent research, writing and communication skills 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite 
• Experience with social media, interest in communications strategy and messaging 
• The initiative to see projects through to completion 
• Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced working environment 
• The ideal candidates are independent, detail-oriented, and highly organized 
• Campaign experience a plus but not required 
• A commitment to civil liberties, civil rights and social justice 
• Commitment to the mission of the ACLU 
• Valid work authorization for those seeking a stipend from the ACLU 

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW 

• Location: Due to COVID-19 our offices are currently operating in reduced capacities. We plan to launch an internship program that offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. Candidates for this internship who are located in proximity to the DC office may opt to work with us in-person following a hybrid (part in-person and part-remote) schedule.  
• Time Commitment: Summer internships require a full-time commitment of 35 hours per week.
• Internship Duration: Full-time internships extend for a 10-week period and begin either May 30 or June 12, 2023.
• Stipend: A stipend is available for those students who do not receive course credit and are lawfully authorized to work. Students who receive outside funding are eligible for a partial stipend to bring their total funding up to the level of the ACLU’s stipend amount for that term, if applicable. Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit. Below is the stipend breakdown by term:
• $18.57/hour for undergraduate students or equivalent experience and $21.42/hour for graduate and law students or equivalent experience. 
• Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and accepted until the position is filled.