Government Affairs Spring Intern

Job Description

Job Description

An advocacy internship at Autism Speaks provides a hands-on opportunity to an undergraduate or graduate student who is interested in exploring a career in nonprofits, patient advocacy, and government affairs. This position is tailored to a candidate’s academic background and interest, along with the timely priorities of the department. Interns work closely with the advocacy team to cover a breadth of topics including: learning about federal and state public policy that affects the autism community, grassroots mobilization programming, policy communications, policy research and analysis, and government affairs. (For additional information on our advocacy priorities and programming, visit autismspeaks.org/advocacy).

This is a 10-12-week program, and students must be eligible for academic credit.

If based in DC, they have the option to work out of our DC office location. If located elsewhere, they will work remotely but will be in consistent communication with the advocacy team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Working under the guidance of advocacy staff, the intern will support grassroots outreach, communications, policy research, and program coordination that support federal and state government affairs priorities. Responsibilities may include:

• Support our grassroots advocacy and communication efforts , by developing draft outreach plans and advocacy communications for assigned grassroots initiatives or translating policy priorities into clear messages.
• Research and analyze federal and state legislative and policy issues affecting the autism community, including healthcare, scientific research, transition-age supports, housing, employment, and home and community-based services. Translate findings, synthesize relevant evidence, and develop draft policy briefs, one-pagers, or articles for staff review and potential sharing internally or externally with stakeholders.
• Attend Capitol Hill hearings and briefings and meetings with other governmental agencies , as available in person or remotely. Prepare summaries of key issues, implications for autism-related policy priorities and potential follow-up items for the advocacy team.
• Assist in preparation of advocacy events , including our Spring Advocacy Forum & Hill Day in DC, state lobby days, advocate trainings or community webinars, by helping organize materials, coordinate logistics, and prepare participant communications.
• Track and support our social media engagement and volunteer advocates’ activity , summarize engagement patterns, and recommend opportunities to strengthen grassroots outreach based on policy priorities.
• Support coalition and relationship-building with nonprofit partners, advocates, and key stakeholders by coordinating meetings, drafting follow-up communications, or assisting with joint advocacy activities.
• Assist with daily administrative and program coordination tasks that support government affairs work, including organizing research materials, maintaining project records, and tracking deadlines and follow-up items.
• Other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Student interns must receive academic credit (graduate or undergraduate) sponsored by an accredited institution or require experience for a certification for a college degree.
Applicable skills and knowledge:

• An interest in applying their experience and training to autism-related policy and advocacy
• Ability to evaluate legislative and policy materials, synthesize research from multiple sources, and develop policy analysis
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex policy issues into clear briefs, public-facing content, and updates for different audiences
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (specifically Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Ability to quickly learn CRM and advocacy software (StratusLIVE, Quorum)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills with a customer service focus
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with remote team members
• Experience posting on social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Professional Behavior
• Results-Driven
• Customer Orientation
• Flexibility

You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Autism Speaks data and information to which you have access.

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