Communications Intern

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. Communications Intern Washington, DC, US 6 days ago Requisition ID: 1161 Salary Range: $20.00 To $22.00 Hourly Position: Communications Intern (Fall ’26) Location: Washington, D.C. 20006 Department: Office of Government Relations and Public Affairs (GRPA) OVERVIEW : Established by Congress in 1974, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the country’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. LSC currently funds 129 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations with more than 800 offices throughout the nation. LSC’s mission is to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. The Office of Government Relations and Public Affairs (GRPA) manages LSC’s communications and relationships with Congress, the Executive Branch, the media, and the general public. GRPA supports timely, accurate, and mission-focused communications that help elevate LSC’s work, grantee accomplishments, federal funding priorities, and access-to-justice initiatives. This internship is based in Washington, DC, and will require working from an office in DC in accordance with LSC’s hybrid work model. The successful candidate must live in the DC metropolitan area for the duration of the internship. BASIC FUNCTION: The primary objectives of the internship are for the intern to: Strengthen writing, editing, research, and communications planning skills; Learn how legislative affairs, public affairs, media relations, and digital communications work together; Develop accurate, timely, and audience-specific messaging for events, grant announcements, social media, newsletters, and other communications channels; Build skills in social media content creation, media monitoring, fact-checking, and public affairs research; Gain hands-on experience supporting communications around LSC grants, fall events, Congress, elections, and access-to-justice initiatives; and Strengthen time management and professional communication skills while supporting multiple time-sensitive projects. The internship is expected to run from September through December 2026. Interns will work part-time, up to 20 hours per week during the fall. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The intern's principal duties and responsibilities include: Help support announcements about LSC grants by updating media contact lists for local news outlets in targeted communities. Draft social media posts and create simple graphics to help promote LSC grant awards, including Pro Bono Innovation Fund and Technology Initiative Grant awards. Review regional news releases before they are sent out to make sure names, dates, grant amounts, recipient information, and other details are accurate. Assist with communications planning and media outreach for special funding announcements, including supplemental or disaster-related funding, as needed. Support publicity for LSC fall events by researching speakers, panelists, award recipients, participating organizations, and event topics. Draft portions of speaker introductions, talking points, event materials, and other communications for LSC events. Help identify speakers and organizations that should be tagged in social media posts promoting LSC events. Copyedit event programs, web content, newsletters, blog posts, news releases, and other written materials to help ensure they are clear, accurate, and professional. Monitor event livestreams, when they occur during the intern’s work schedule, to help flag any audio or video issues and identify short clips that may be useful for social media. Follow news related to Congress, public policy, and the 2026 midterm elections to help identify developments that may affect access to justice, civil legal aid, or LSC. Assist with updating communications materials after the election as congressional activity and priorities shift. Draft social media posts for public awareness campaigns and observances, such as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Pro Bono Week, Veterans Day, and other mission-related topics. Review daily news clips to identify stories that may be appropriate to share on LSC’s social media channels. Recommend photos, graphics, or other visuals to accompany social media posts and news-related content. Create graphics in Canva to promote LSC news, events, access-to-justice developments, grantee accomplishments, and other initiatives. Monitor social media trends and suggest timely, mission-focused ways LSC can engage with audiences online. Write short articles and conduct research for LSC newsletters, including LSC Updates and Tech Download. Provide research support for podcasts, press releases, speeches, public statements, op-eds, and other communications prepared for LSC leadership. Fact-check statistics, citations, background information, names, dates, and other details used in LSC communications. Research communications best practices, social media trends, and nonprofit outreach strategies, and share helpful findings with the Public Affairs team. Perform other related duties, as assigned. WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: We are accepting applications from current undergraduate, graduate, and law students, as well as recent graduates of post-secondary institutions. The ideal applicant must be: Organized and attentive to detail; Strong in research, writing, proofreading, and verbal communication; Able to work independently and collaboratively; Interested in government, public policy, communications, media, and messaging; Comfortable drafting content for different audiences and platforms; Able to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines; Committed to LSC’s mission of promoting equal access to justice; Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Comfortable using social media platforms for professional or organizational communications; Bonus : Experience with Canva, video editing, website content development, Drupal or another content management system, Muck Rack or another media database, Final Cut Pro X, or basic graphic design HOURLY RATE: This position pays $20 to $22 per hour, based on education level and internship status. A cover letter explaining your interest in this internship and how your goals align with LSC’s mission #J-18808-Ljbffr