Public Affairs Intern (Unpaid - Fall 2026)

Overview

Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties (PPOSBC) has a non-paid part-time opportunity for a Public Affairs Intern in San Bernardino, CA.

The Public Affairs intern will support programming for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino County's Public Affairs Department, under both a 501c3 and 501c4 capacity. This internship allows students to gain hands-on experience in community organizing, advocacy, and electoral work. The intern will support education and awareness for reproductive health care issues and use core organizing tactics to advance the advocacy priorities of PPOSBC and the Community Action Fund of PPOSBC. The intern will be tasked with helping mobilize their college/university campus to get involved.


The ideal candidate is engaging, professional, has great communication skills, and supports reproductive health care rights and issues. This role will assist a highly driven and passionate team; therefore, an interest in healthcare advocacy and working with diverse communities is highly desired.


Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education:

• Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student, preferably in the field of Public Health, Health Sciences, or other related fields.

Language Requirements/Preference:

• Bilingual skills in English & Spanish preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals, and philosophy of Planned Parenthood.
• Excellent written and interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail, strong professionalism, and an ability to work in a team environment are required
• Able to work flexible hours as needed, which may include evenings and weekends
• Must have reliable transportation
• Minimum of 1 semester/quarter time commitment

Agency Standard Requirements:

• Strong commitment to quality healthcare and excellent customer service is required.
• Must thrive in a fast paced, rigorous environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Must demonstrate high level computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• This position requires travel to other sites and locations; if using a personal vehicle to meet this requirement, a valid CA driver's license and current auto insurance in compliance with the minimum requirements of CA vehicle code are required.
• Abortion patients are cared for at each of our health centers and in part through the administrative, support, and other non-clinical services provided at all PPOSBC locations and by all PPOSBC employees, and supporting these critical services is an essential job duty and fundamental responsibility of all employees.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions: Essential functions encompass the required tasks, duties and responsibilities performed as part of the job and the reason the job exists.

• Educate campus and local communities about reproductive health care services, access, and the importance of safeguarding reproductive rights.
• Actively participate in advocacy events.
• Support engagement with schools and community-based agencies by conducting research into potential new sites and maintaining contact lists
• Use key organizing tactics to help advance PPOSBC and CAF PPOSBC's advocacy work.
• Provide administrative support as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

Internship Benefits:

• Gain knowledge about sexual & reproductive health advocacy, community outreach, and programming, with additional skills and training provided based on interest and relevance
• Develop community engagement skills by gaining hands on experience attending outreach events, talking with community members, and supporting relationships with community partners
• Gain experience in advocacy and community organizing work while contributing to Planned Parenthood's mission to empower communities and advocate for equitable reproductive health care access for all.
• Gain office experience in a dynamic and fun work environment
• Have a skills-based internship where they will learn skills that can be used in future employment
• Receive recommendations and references for graduate school, internships, fellowships, awards, and jobs
• Gain school credit and/or community service-learning hours

Non-Essential Functions:

Other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES - WE CARE:

• Welcoming: Anticipates customer requirements and gives high priority to customer satisfaction and service. Handles problems quickly and efficiently. Maintains a pleasant, positive and professional approach. Embraces opportunities to help team members, stakeholders, and other departments.
• Equitable: Creating equitable access and opportunity for all through education, practicing inclusive behavior, elevating others' voices, creating spaces for honest conversation, and listening without judgment. Values and uplifts our collective diversity within in our agency.
• Confidential: Respects the information shared by our patients, employees, and vendors and maintains appropriate confidentiality. Follows all policies and laws that protect private & privileged information.
• Accessible: Is available and approachable to others, open-minded, fair and non-defensive. Appreciates constructive feedback and is a team player. Demonstrates good listening skills.
• Respectful: Values diversity and treats everyone with dignity and courtesy. Dependable and courteous of other people's time and commitments.
• Empathetic: Demonstrates interest and understanding in other people's feelings, attitudes and reasoning. Maintains an open and non-judgmental demeanor that is patient, flexible, and understanding.