Job Description

Policy Advocacy 2025 Summer Internship (Paid)
Position Open Until Filled
First Review of Applicants Scheduled for April 4, 2025

The American Civil Liberties Union is pleased to invite applicants to our internship for undergraduate and graduate school students for the summer of 2025.

The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in belief in a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil rights and liberties, are finally free to do so without barriers. Defending and advancing these fundamental rights and core values relies on the contributions of exceptional staff.

The Policy Advocacy Department (PAD) works on a variety of civil liberties issues. We promote and protect civil liberties by working with elected officials, government agencies, and coalition partners at the state and local levels. We achieve our goals through lobbying and policy advocacy, educating our members and other activists about our issues and encouraging them to act to support them.

The primary subject areas for the Policy Advocacy Department include Criminal Justice Reform, Education Equity and Juvenile Justice, Immigrant Rights, Policing Reform, Health Care and Liberty, and Technology and Liberty.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 
An intern with the Policy Advocacy Department will work under the supervision of a policy lead and the policy advocacy associate to analyze and support proactive legislation, draft policy and legal memos, research legal and policy challenges to legislation introduced by others, create educational materials, and assist in the preparation of other advocacy documents. Interns will work across multiple Policy Advocacy Department issue areas.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• The ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• The ability to use research and writing skills to develop an in-depth understanding of civil liberties issues, policy advocacy, the legislative process, and the art of messaging.
• Excellent writing and communications skills, including proper citations, are required.
• The ability to demonstrate in their application they have strong interests in civil liberties, constitutional law and policy advocacy. Experience in these areas is a plus.
• A commitment to advancing and strengthening equity and inclusion practices internally and externally with our partners and allies in the communities we serve.
• Must be enrolled in an educational program (undergraduate or graduate level) to be eligible.

FUTURE WA ACLU'ers WILL:

• Be committed to advancing the mission, vision, and values of the ACLU-WA.
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives; and
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.

LOCATION:  Seattle, Washington

CLASSIFICATION:  This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. The ACLU-WA reserves the right to change the content of this posting at any time without advance notice. This paid internship is approved up to one (1) fulltime equivalent (FTE) and is “non-exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

WORK ENVIRONMENTS/CONDITIONS: The ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a week. Occasional in-person meetings required at our downtown Seattle location.

Our office is generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is located in downtown Seattle. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

• Able to input information into a computer for long periods of time.
• Able to assess information communicated through a computer.

MENTAL DEMAND: Decision-making, high emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful and clear communication and resilience.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: The ACLU-WA seeks to provide equitable and competitive compensation for attracting and retaining staff with the skill, judgment, and perseverance to confront challenges to civil rights and civil liberties and build a state where all people live with dignity and equity, enjoying freedoms unimpeded by racial and economic injustice and other forms of oppression. We provide a mix of compensation for staff that is intended to address today’s needs and allow planning for tomorrow. 

The pay for this position is $22 per hour.

BENEFITS: ACLU-WA has a generous benefits package for interns which includes employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance and other wellness plans. Interns are not eligible for the employer-contributed retirement (401k) plan or long-term disability.

DURATION:  It is full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:  Interested students should submit a cover letter, resume, 3 references and a 2-page writing sample (excerpt from longer work is acceptable) that demonstrates strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills in PDF format on our online job portal. In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. Deadline for applications is April 4, 2025.

HIRING TIMELINE: Please indicate your expected start and end dates in your cover letter.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. People of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Full time, Internship, Summer internship, Work at office, Local area, Remote work,

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