Summer Policy Internship with Service Year Alliance

Service Year Alliance is working to make a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans. A service year before, during, or after college gives young people the chance to transform their lives, make an impact in their community, and become the active citizens and leaders our nation needs. Expanding service years has the power to revitalize cities, uplift and educate children at risk, and empower communities struggling with poverty.

Their North Star
On the path to their vision, their aim is that, within a generation, every year, one million young Americans engage in a service year, solving important problems while transforming their own lives.

Why Now: Broken Citizenship and Pressing Challenges
Today, the need for a common experience of citizenship in our country is more poignant than ever. We are drifting apart. Contrary to the illusion of constant connectivity, Americans are isolated from one another—geographically, ethnically, economically, religiously, and culturally. Traditional forms of civic participation have atrophied. Many Americans’ sole contribution to the country is through paying taxes—not nearly enough to bind people to their communities. Only one in three eligible voters turned out in the last election. Less than one percent of Americans serve in the military. There’s a chance—right now—to inspire a renewed sense of citizenship capable of solving our biggest challenges and creating the leaders our nation needs.

Neither the idea of national service nor Service Year's vision are new, but this moment in time tells us they are both deeply needed and never before more achievable. 

 
Position Description
Service Year Alliance is seeking an intern to assist their Policy and Advocacy team with their work to improve policy affecting the service year field. This person will perform a variety of functions in support of the team’s policy and advocacy functions, including outreach to congressional offices, and research and analysis of federal policy. This is a full time position that will run forty hours per week. The intern will begin working with SYA in June of 2019 and conclude in August, with flexibility for the selected candidate's scheduling requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with federal advocacy efforts, to include:
• Conducting outreach to the service year field to learn about the impact of federal policy on organizations and people
• Coordinating and participating in meeting with congressional offices
• Organizing and documenting advocacy work in Salesforce
• Assist with federal policy efforts, to include:
• Analyzing proposed legislation and current laws and regulations
• Researching and writing briefs on members of congress and their offices
• Researching and writing briefs on congressional districts

Qualifications

• Deep belief in service years to tackle our most pressing challenges, transform the lives of those who service, and change the course of our country
• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as political science, social work, or nonprofit management, with strong academic record
• Excellent writing
• Strong learning mindset
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Excellent digital skills

Desired Skills:

• Basic knowledge of Google suite and Salesforce
• Bachelor's Degree in progress or obtained; preferred majors include: Political Science, Social Work, Nonprofit Management

Apply on the Service Year Alliance website.