Summer 2009 Undergraduate Communications Internship Opportunity-ACLU Washington Legislative Office, DC

Undergraduate Communications Internship Opportunity
Summer 2009
American Civil Liberties Union
Washington Legislative Office, DC

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is the nation’s foremost advocate of individual rights - litigating, legislating, and educating the public on a broad array of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States. The ACLU is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization devoted to protecting the basic civil liberties of all Americans, and extending them to groups that have traditionally been denied those rights. Founded in 1952, the Washington Legislative Office (WLO) is responsible for advancing the civil liberties agenda of the national organization before Congress and the Executive Branch. The Washington Legislative Office is seeking applications for an Undergraduate Communications Internship beginning in the Summer 2009.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW:
The internship is designed to give students the opportunity to experience firsthand the workings of a national legislative office. Our program is designed to provide participants with a realistic view of what working in the nation’s capitol entails.

The responsibilities of the Communications Department Intern will include:

Assisting the office in tracking current events pertinent to the office’s agenda
Tracking media coverage of ACLU issues and initiatives
Drafting various communications materials including press releases
Attending congressional hearings and press briefings
Performing other duties integral to the department’s function

Applicants should have excellent research, writing and communications skills as well as the ability to work independently. Applicants must have good computer skills and familiarity with the Internet. A strong interest in civil liberties is essential. An interest in political science, the legislative process, communication/media relations and current events is also helpful.

A commitment of 10 weeks is requested, although the specific length and terms of the internship will be negotiated when an offer is made. This internship is unpaid, with the opportunity to earn school credit, if applicable.

HOW TO APPLY:
Your application materials should be submitted no later than March 30, 2009.

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample. If you have any experience in communications, a relevant sample should be included. The cover letter should include your availability and your specific interests in civil liberties. Please submit all materials to:

ACLU Washington National Office
Attn: Communications Internship Coordinator
915 15^th Street, NW - 6^th Floor
Washington DC, 20005

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

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.”