December 5, 2012
2013 SPRING INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
NOTICE TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION
Speech, Privacy & Technology Project, NY
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), founded in 1920, is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 500,000 members dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the U.S. Constitution. The Speech, Privacy & Technology Project of the ACLU’sNational Office in New York Cityinvites applicants for the Spring 2013 Undergraduate Internship starting in January 2013.
OVERVIEW
The Speech, Privacy & Technology Project (SPT) is part of the ACLU’s Center for Democracy, which works to strengthen democratic institutions and values, including the values of government transparency and accountability, and to reinforce the United States’ commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The Speech, Privacy and Technology Project is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. The Project is currently litigating cases and conducting other advocacy efforts on a variety of issues, including political protest, freedom of expression online, privacy of electronic information, journalists’ rights, scientific freedom, and openness in the courts.
INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW
The Spring 2013 Undergraduate Internship requires an 8-12 week commitment. The internship is part-time, with weekly hours that are negotiable. Since this is an unpaid internship, individuals are highly encouraged to seek funding from outside sources. Arrangements can be made with the student’s school for work/study or course credit.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The intern will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working alongside the Speech, Privacy & Technology team on a wide variety of issues including:
- Conducting factual and legal research on issues relating to free speech, privacy and technology.
- Preparing, producing, and developing litigation and advocacy materials.
- Working on litigation and advocacy projects.
- Writing blog posts for “Free Future,” the ACLU’s privacy and technology blog.
- Assisting with the maintenance of case files.
- Working on other projects as assigned.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
This internship is open to recent graduates or students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program and will have completed their first year of college at the time the internship commences.
Applicants must possess:
- A demonstrated interest in social justice.
- Excellent research, writing and communications skills.
- Demonstrated initiative to see projects through to completion.
- Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a letter of interest, resume, and a non-fiction writing sample of no more than five pages in length to hrjobsSPT@aclu.org. Reference [Spring 2013 Undergraduate Internship – SPT] in the subject line.Please note that this is not the general ACLU applicant email address. This email address is specific to Speech, Privacy & Technology Project postings. In order to ensure your application is received please make certain it is sent to the correct e-mail address. You can expect to receive an automatic response that acknowledges the submission of application materials
Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this opportunity.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply by December 14, 2012, but applications will be accepted until the internship is filled.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.
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, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact: hrjobsinclreq@aclu.org. Correspondence sent to this email address that is not related to requests for accommodations will not be reviewed. Applicants should follow the instructions above regarding how to apply.
The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name "ACLU."
