Political Intern

Political Intern

Job Title: Political Intern Department: Michigan Chapter Location: Hybrid within Michigan Reports to: Legislative and Political Director Duration: 10-20 hours/week for 4 months

At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

In this internship, you will directly assist candidates running for public office that the Sierra Club has endorsed. The Sierra Club maintains a rigorous endorsement process focused on supporting environmentally-minded candidates in competitive races across Michigan.

Interns will receive training in the fundamentals of political and campaign organizing, learn about environmental issues impacted by public policy decisions, and gain firsthand experience working on active political campaigns. Interns may be deployed to support campaigns for varying lengths of time depending on scheduling and campaign needs.

Potential responsibilities include organizing voter outreach efforts, assisting with volunteer recruitment, supporting communications and earned media strategies, conducting policy and campaign research, assisting with fundraising events, canvassing, phone banking, and helping campaigns with administrative and data-entry tasks.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

1. Support political and electoral organizing efforts for Sierra Club-endorsed candidates through voter contact, canvassing, phone banking, and volunteer recruitment activities. Assist campaigns in engaging voters and mobilizing supporters during key election periods.
2. Assist with communications and media outreach efforts, including helping coordinate press conferences, drafting press materials, supporting social media content, and assisting with earned media strategy development.
3. Conduct policy, political, and campaign research related to environmental and public policy issues impacting Michigan communities. Help track legislation, candidate positions, and campaign developments.
4. Provide operational and administrative support to campaigns and Sierra Club political programs, including event support, data entry, office tasks, and coordination with volunteers and partner organizations.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

• Interest in politics, public policy, community organizing, or environmental advocacy, with a desire to learn more about political campaigns and grassroots organizing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with volunteers, campaign staff, and community members in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to work independently, take direction on projects, manage multiple responsibilities, and adapt to changing campaign priorities and timelines.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, email communication platforms, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
• Willingness to participate in campaign field activities, trainings, and occasional evening or weekend events as needed.
• Commitment to environmental justice, civic engagement, and building inclusive democratic participation across communities.
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following experience, skills and competencies:

• Prior volunteer or internship experience on political campaigns, issue advocacy campaigns, or community organizing efforts.
• Knowledge of Michigan politics, elections, or environmental policy issues.
• Experience with graphic design, social media management, voter databases, or digital organizing tools.

$3,000 - $3,000 one-time Compensation This internship is unpaid, but includes a $3,000 completion stipend intended to help offset food, transportation, and other related expenses. The stipend would be dispersed at the completion of the 4 month internship. Academic credit may be available depending on school requirements and advisor approval. This is a category 99 non-exempt, non-represented, temporary position. Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee's manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.