Advancing Justice | AAJC is seeking student interns interested in gaining firsthand experience in civil rights advocacy. Interns are expected to commit to 16-20 hours per week during the winter/spring or summer semester, though specific start and end dates are flexible and weekly hours will be set upon selection. We will work with interns to ensure the position satisfies any course credit or curriculum requirements. Please note that all of the internships with Advancing Justice | AAJC are unpaid.
We are seeking interns for for the summer and fall 2021 semesters for three departments:
Communications: The communications department seeks an intern to work on communications, media relations activities, and social media tasks. The communications department is responsible for activities that seek to promote and brand Advancing Justice | AAJC. The department conducts public relations outreach, develops digital assets, and seeks to promote agency programs, material, and national campaigns.
Policy and Programs: The policy and programs departments seeks a policy intern and litigation intern/law clerk to work on its civil rights law, impact litigation, and/or public policy work. The policy and programs department is responsible for policy analysis, advocacy, litigation, and community engagement.
Development: The development department seeks an intern to work on its fundraising and donor engagement work. This is an ideal opportunity for students interested in fundraising, event planning, nonprofit operations/management and public policy/administration. Development interns have the unique opportunity to learn about Advancing Justice | AAJC’s programming while understanding the fundraising initiatives taken in nonprofits to ensure program backing.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Communications:
- Draft blogs, press releases, pitch letters, and other communications documents as assigned
- Research journalists for potential outreach
- Review editorial calendars for press opportunities
- Write fact sheets or issue briefs
- Review major newspapers daily for related stories
- Assist with research; respond to requests for information
- Monitor news trends and events to identify opportunities
- Create and maintain media lists
- Participate in strategy meetings with the communications team
- Draft general correspondence and other administrative tasks as assigned
- Assist with maintenance and creating content for the website
- Assist with the development of new materials for Advancing Justice | AAJC’s social media sites
- Assist with the execution of the department’s communications plan
Policy
- Assist with policy and legislative research
- Monitor federal legislative and administrative activity
- Develop community outreach, education, and advocacy materials
- Prepare staff for hearings, briefings, and meetings with policymakers, community groups, and civil rights organizations
- Assist with legal and factual research for Supreme Court amicus briefs and other legal briefs
- Analyze cases and pending litigation for potential Advancing Justice | AAJC involvement
- Draft portions of briefs where appropriate
- Monitor the Supreme Court docket and track other federal and state civil rights litigation
- Conduct individual and organizational prospect research and prepare individual and organizational profiles
- Undertake a variety of writing and editing projects including acknowledgement letters, donor solicitations, promotional materials, etc.
- Carry-out large mailings to the Advancing Justice | AAJC donor base, including direct mail solicitation letters, reports and publications, and invitations
- Assist with planning of the American Courage Award reception and other special events
- Research and assist in development of letters of inquiry and grant proposals for Advancing Justice | AAJC’s various program areas
- Support general development department operations through administrative duties and other duties as assigned
- Strong interest in Advancing Justice | AAJC’s work
- Ability to handle multiple projects and work efficiently to meet deadlines
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse group as well as part of a team
- Computer skills, knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet research skills
- If applying for Communications, major in journalism, public relations, marketing, or communications is preferred.
- If applying for Policy and Programs, prior policy or research experience is preferred for college students and prior experience with civil rights litigation or appellate practice through a law school clinic, internship, or summer job is preferred for law students.
- If applying for Development, familiarity with Canva and Raiser’s Edge is preferred.
To apply for an internship, please send a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample to hiring@advancingjustice-aajc.org. Please note if there is a specific department position you are interested in. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
*Resumes received without cover letters and writing samples will not be considered.
