Jobs and Internships with IPS

Jobs

New Mexico Fellowship

Description: 1-Year Paid Public Policy Mentorship/Fellowship in Washington DC

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), a progressive multi-issue think tank in Washington, D.C., invites applications for the 2013-14 New Mexico Fellowship in Washington, DC. The New Mexico Fellowship allows college graduates residing in New Mexico to come to IPS for one year to learn about how the government works and then return to their state to apply their new expertise to local issues. The Fellowship was created to give young scholars and leaders an opportunity to develop their capacities to think, write, organize, and become the next generation of public scholars. The Fellow will work closely with various IPS projects or departments and will become an essential part of that project’s staff. While at IPS, the New Mexico Fellow will be mentored closely by a variety of IPS experts and that mentorship will continue once the Fellow returned home. The New Mexico Fellowship will allow budding progressive activists and scholars to come to Washington, DC and contribute to an established think tank which would be invaluable not only for the individual but for New Mexico, IPS and the nation at large.

Candidates will be selected from two streams of applicants residing in New Mexico:

• Recent college graduates (BA or MA) who would benefit from mentoring and work at IPS.
• Intellectually astute members of activist groups where IPS and the group feel it would benefit the individual to have training in public scholarship.

Salary/Benefits:

The New Mexico Fellow will work on some aspect of the IPS mission to transform ideas into action for peace, justice, and the environment. The New Mexico Fellow is required to come to IPS for one year (with the possibility of an extension) and is encouraged to return to New Mexico and use the skills acquired at IPS to further public scholarship and activism in New Mexico. The New Mexico Fellowship would be a full-time Fellowship with a yearly compensation of $34,000.00 (before taxes), paid semi-monthly. The Fellow will receive three weeks of paid vacation and 12 days of sick leave. Full medical, vision, dental, and life insurance coverage is also provided. Start date to be determined.

IPS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, and other groups that have historically been subject to discrimination.

Application Procedures:

1. Cover letter explaining why you are a good candidate and also including the following: a description of a problem or issue in NM that you are passionate about, an analysis of the barriers to overcoming the problem, and what you see as a workable strategy to address the problem. 2-3 pages.
2. Resume
3. One letter of recommendation (emailed by recommender); two other references (with contact info)
4. A 2-4 page writing sample (e.g., excerpt from a research paper, an article or letter to the editor)

Email materials to: jobs@ips-dc.org. Please also complete a short demographic survey at SurveyMonkey.com. Click link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NewMexicoFellowship

Application Deadline: May 31, 2013

Social Media Fellow - A Carol Jean and Edward F. Newman Fellowship

We are not accepting any more applications as we evaluate what we have. Thank you to those who have applied.

Online Communications Manager

We are not accepting any more applications as we evaluate what we have. Thank you to those who have applied.

Internships

IPS is the nation's oldest and largest multi-issue think tank promoting progressive thought. Our internship program focuses on developing and nurturing future public scholars through comprehensive skills training classes and challenging research, writing, and advocacy in a wide range of foreign and domestic policy issues.

IPS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, and other groups that have historically been subject to discrimination. If you have any questions regarding internships, please email: internships@ips-dc.org

Internship Terms:
Spring (Mar-May) | Summer (June-Aug) | Fall (August-December)

**Remember**
Indicate in your cover letter your intended start date and term.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. All internships are unpaid. However, we do provide a transit stipend during the internship term.
2. Yes, there is overlap between some internship terms.
3. There are no hard deadlines for applications, but it is recommended that you apply at least 1 week before the start of a term.
4. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis.
5. We do not have official start dates for terms; start dates are determined based on individual needs of interns and the program.
6. You can apply to intern for more than one term.
7. Internships can last anywhere from 2.5 weeks to 1 year.
8. The average internships lasts for 3 months.
9. Interns are required to find their own housing.
10. We gladly welcome foreign citizens into our internship program. However, to join our internship program you must have work authorization or a student visa. If not, it's a bit more of a difficult process and one that we only pursue on special occasions.

Program Internships

Break the Chain Campaign

For all internships with Break the Chain Campaign: please send a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 page persuasive writing sample. Please indicate your days/hours of availability in your cover letter. We accept internship applications on a rolling basis, please email materials directly to tiffany@ips-dc.org if you are applying outside the IPS timelines.

We are a busy project and are looking for folks who are committed to the values of our project, are self-starters, are able to work independently, are flexible, and have a great sense of humor.  Here are the four project areas available:

Healthcare/Disability Policy and Advocacy Intern

This intern in this position will work on the Caring Across Generations (www.caringacrossgenerations.org) campaign and will focus on healthcare policy (Medicare, Medicaid) and healthcare reform, as well as disability rights, senior rights, and homecare worker rights as we work to transform the direct care industry in America. The work will primarily involve research, writing, and attending policy/advocacy meetings and events, with some minimal administrative work (database entry, meeting minutes, filing, etc.).

Worker/Immigrant Rights Intern

The focus of this internship will be 1) immigration rights, particularly immigrant women and families, and the rights of immigrant survivors of crime and 2) worker rights, particularly workers in industries historically excluded from labor protections- domestic workers, day laborers, farmworkers, and guestworkers. The work will primarily involve research, writing, and attending policy/advocacy meetings and events, with some administrative work (database entry, meeting minutes, filing, etc.).

Communications and Design Intern

We have factsheets, brochures, and op-eds that we would like to be edited, designed, and distributed. We need a savvy intern with a great eye to take on design and communications projects for Break the Chain Campaign. This internship would be ideal for a graphic design or communications student who had a working knowledge of copyediting and Adobe software. You will also be responsible for overseeing the social media for the project.

Human Trafficking Advocacy Intern

The intern in this position will focus on continuing the development of a domestic worker self-advocacy project that will begin in 2013. The intern will be responsible for collecting best practices, curriculum, research, interviews with experts, workers, and organizers, to help us create a program that would assist trafficked domestic workers to be their own self-advocates at speaking events and congressional visits. Some experience with popular education, worker organizing is preferred. Spanish language skills preferred.

Economic Hardship Reporting Project

Co-edited by New York Times’ Best Selling author Barbara Ehrenreich and award winning author Gary Rivlin, The Economic Hardship Reporting Project seeks to cover underreported issues dealing with domestic poverty, inequality, and lower-income workers and families. In addition to supporting the daily tasks of their supervisor, interns are responsible for maintaining daily content of the website, managing pieces of the project's social media, and monitoring political and policy developments related to poverty, inequality, and the American safety net. They are also encouraged to write their own blogs on poverty issues. Interns will have the opportunity to interact with prominent figures in the anti-poverty effort, to attend policy conferences, and to participate in strategy meetings with other progressive Washington D.C. organizations. Applicants should have a strong commitment to understanding the issues of economic hardship in the U.S, some knowledge of domestic poverty issues, and strong writing skills. Of equal importance, applicants should possess strong computer and technological skills, professional attitudes, self-motivation, and a willingness to learn new things. The internship provides an invaluable introduction to policy, experts, national figures, and networking in Washington DC and nationally.

Drug Policy Project

The Drug Policy Project seeks to end the so-called "War on Drugs" by reaching out to non-traditional allies and employing innovative tactics to promote a sustainable, constitutional, and humane drug control policy. The project's mission is to help foster a paradigm shift replacing the punitive and coercive "social control model" of drug policy with a public health and community economic development model. By encouraging an interdisciplinary discussion concerning the myriad factors contributing to our social ills, we try to advance policies that address the root causes of the drug problem (such as decaying school systems, lack of inner city and rural jobs, shortage of affordable housing, lack of health care, and social alienation) rather than scapegoating the symptoms (addicts, street corner dealers, peasant drug grower overseas, etc.).

Foreign Policy In Focus

Foreign Policy In Focus (FPIF) provides timely analysis of U.S. foreign policy and international affairs and recommends policy alternatives. The project publishes commentaries, briefs, and reports and organizes briefings for the public, media, lawmakers, and legislative staff. Staff and other FPIF experts write for newspapers, magazines, and other online publications and author books on foreign policy and international affairs. Interns should have solid computer and on-line research skills, writing ability, student activist experience, and background/interest in several of the following areas: foreign policy, U.S. military policy, military spending, intelligence, terrorism, global justice, security, international development, international financial institutions and trade. Foreign language and overseas experience are helpful.

FPIF offers four unique internship opportunities:

African Affairs Internship:
Applicants should be knowledgeable about U.S. neo-colonialism in Africa and the African Diaspora. FPIF is currently involved in the RESIST AFRICOM campaign which opposes the militarization of U.S. engagement with Africa, spotlights the abuses of U.S. private military contractors in Africa, and advocates for a more responsible U.S. role in advancing Africa's pursuit of peace, justice, and healthy economies. FPIF is also involved in initiatives to end the exploitation of workers and the environment in Africa and is particularly focused on a campaign to end the abuse of child labor and dumping of toxic wastes in Liberia by Bridgestone/Firestone. Applicants should familiarize themselves with FPIF's position on these issues. This internship will support the work of FPIF co-director, Emira Woods.

Converting a Militarized Economy Research Intern:
This intern will assist in research, production and organizing related to several projects that critique excessive U.S. military spending and recommend alternatives. One annual report examines the rebalancing of federal security resources. Other projects look at the ways and means of a transition to a greener economy. This internship will support the work of FPIF Research Fellow Miriam Pemberton. Some background in economics would be helpful.

FPIF Research, Writing-Web Internship (Asia, Eastern Europe):
Applicants should have experience with copy editing, strong research and writing skills, and be comfortable with updating web content. Knowledge of Asia or Eastern Europe is a plus. There will be many opportunities to be published in FPIF publications and affiliated media outlets. This internship will support the work of FPIF co-director, John Feffer.

Right Web, Writing-Web Internship
Right Web monitors organizations and individuals -- both in and out of government -- that promote militarist U.S. foreign and defense policies, with a special focus on the "war on terror" and the Middle East. Knowledge of the Middle East or military affairs is a plus. This intern will work closely with Right Web director Michael Flynn and with FPIF co-director John Feffer.

Genuine Progress Indicators Project Intern

IPS seeks an intern to work on the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) project. New indicators like the GPI are a key foundation of a new, more sustainable economy. Increasingly, states and countries are coming to recognize that traditional indicators such as Gross Domestic/State Products are inadequate in providing useful information and targets to shoot for. For example, GDP does not include the environmental and social costs of economic transactions, nor changes in quality of life. The GPI is an attempt to measure, in economic terms, those things we want more of and less of in order to enhance overall wellbeing.

Establishing these indicators in states and countries around the world is key to informing economists and policy-makers how best to adjust policies to address environmental and social externalities. The GPI assesses what's left behind when the economy officially expands. It helps us measure and preserve what we treasure, not simply measure economic transactions of any kind as a sign of progress. The GPI is in place in two states thus far, Maryland and Vermont. Maryland has put its GPI in place via the executive branch, Vermont via the legislative branch. In both states, the GPI is measuring how development activities impact long-term prosperity, both positively and negatively. The intern will assist with research, outreach and advocacy on the GPI project. Useful skills and experience: ecological economic and statistical training; research, writing and good communications skills; social media; and willingness to help with grassroots outreach.

Global Economy Project Intern

This project monitors the social and environmental impact of corporate-driven globalization and works to develop just and sustainable alternatives to the free trade model. In addition, the project produces an annual report on executive compensation. Interns are typically involved in research and writing to produce policy papers related to these issues. Summer interns conduct data analysis for the annual executive pay report. Strong math or finance background needed.

IPS 50th Anniversary Event Planning Intern

This Year, IPS turns 50! Our events team seeks an intern interested in planning our three day symposium slated to take place in October 2013. This intern would have an opportunity to explore all of the logistics of event planning from coordinating with venues, creating the agenda for our conference workshops, facilitating catering, establishing travel arrangements for our featured gala guests, to developing contacts with our alumni invitees, and much, much more. Intern applicants must have strong communication and social media skills, the ability to work independently, some familiarity with database entry, and the desire to establish lasting relationships within the IPS community. Graphic Design/ HTML skills are a plus.

New Economy Working Group

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), YES! Magazine, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), and the People-Centered Development Forum (PCDForum) joined together to create the New Economy Working Group (NEWGroup) to put forward a bold vision and strategy for building a New Economy that works for all of Earth's people and the living systems on which their well-being depends. The NEWGroup was created as a forum in which to freely explore possibilities unbounded by established ideologies and conventional wisdom.

The applicant selected for this internship will assist with blogging, article writing, video, and other media creation, and social media outreach. The applicant should have strong writing and analytical skills andhave a flexible schedule. Candidates are not required to have a background in economics or related fields to apply for this internship. The applicant selected will work closely with the New Economy Coordinator, Noel Ortega.

New Internationalism Project

IPS' New Internationalism Project includes organizing as well as research and writing; areas of work include ending the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, challenging U.S. policy that supports Israeli occupation, and working on a number of UN-related issues. Interns for the New Internationalism project should have interest and experience in international developments, opposition to U.S. interventionism, and good research and writing skills. A background in Middle East studies and/or organizing experience in peace or international solidarity movements is especially helpful. Interns will be involved in research, preparation of educational materials and organizing within the anti-war movement.

The internship would be between 15 - 25 hours a week. The project director spends some time on the road, so applicants should be comfortable working with a fair amount of independence and maintain flexibility on days and times in the office. There will be opportunities to be published in IPS publications and affiliate media outlets.

Sustainable Energy and Economy Network Intern

The Sustainable Energy and Economy Network (SEEN) works in partnership with citizens groups nationally and globally on environment, human rights and development issues with a particular focus on energy, climate change, environmental justice, gender equity, and economic issues, particularly as these play out in North-South relations. SEEN is looking for two different interns.

The first will perform research and analysis around World bank IFC lending for energy and climate change. This project will attempt to determine the appropriate role for the private sector in energy and climate finance. This person will also be creating a database for their research with the opportunity for publication. The ideal candidate will be a strong researcher and writer, self-directed, and comfortable crunching numbers. Upper level Undergraduate or Graduate Student preferred.

The second intern will primarily perform research for the Just Transition Campaign, a Research Committee that IPS is initiating. This intern will help write a report that looks at how much the greenhouse gas emissions have been saved or reduced by the work of environmental justice organizers and their actions. We aim to quantify the achievements of the grassroots movement. This candidate should be a graduate student with strong research skills. This project also provides an opportunity for publication.

Communications / Media Internships

Video Production Intern

IPS seeks a video production intern to join our growing communications department. Interns are tasked with videoing live events, short interviews with IPS experts, and have the opportunity to produce original videos aimed at amplifying IPS' core messages on peace, justice, and the environment. Desired skills include experience as camera operators and a strong interest in supporting all aspect of video production. This includes camera and audio set-up, camera operation, live streaming, editing, transcoding, web posting, archiving and DVD authoring. Strong PC-based post-production skills using Adobe CS are a plus.

Interns work closely with IPS' Communications Manager and will gain useful insights on how a progressive nonprofit utilizes video as an effective communications medium for public education on public policy issues as well as engaging and building its constituency base.

Media Relations Intern

To win, you must be understood. Through effective communication of the great ideas here at IPS, we hope to win over the hearts of the public and change the world. The media relations team at IPS is constantly seeking to help the great idea-makers get their message out through the news media and through online venues.

We're looking for a student, recent graduate, or just a strong writer who is interested in learning the nuts and bolts of media relations, and have fun doing it. Interns would have an opportunity to: develop creative approaches for reaching out to reporters; attend Washington-DC-area events in order to conduct media outreach; write press materials such as advisories, editorial memos and releases; make phone calls to reporters; create targeted press lists; and perform a variety of other communications-related tasks. Working closely with the Media Relations Manager, the intern would have the chance to see how a report, an idea, or a thoughtful analysis becomes a part of the media conversation. Intern applicants must have strong writing skills, a progressive point of view, a good work ethic, and a desire to work in a social, active environment.

OtherWords Intern

This project is responsible for the distribution of commentaries and cartoons aimed at amplifying progressive analysis in the national conversation. It empowers readers to become more engaged citizens. About 1,700 newspaper editors subscribe to our weekly editorial package that consists of three columns, four op-eds, and one cartoon. Most of our subscribers are small dailies and weeklies in America's heartland.

The applicant selected will assist with the editorial process, copy edit, outreach to editors, assess OtherWords' reach, and regularly contribute to the IPS and OtherWords blog. The applicant selected will work closely with OtherWords Managing Editor, Emily Schwartz Greco.

Social Media Intern

Are you a social media maven? With multiple progressive campaigns and projects to promote, we're looking for students interested in Tweeting, Facebooking, Pinning, Redditing, blogging, and experimenting with different ways of promoting IPS content and that of our social justice campaigns.

You will gain hands on experience and learn about the latest trends in social media marketing, search engine optimization, and online community building.

Interns will be working on our many social media profiles, blogs, and websites and work directly with our communications team. Interns should have excellent writing and communications skills and be able to work in a fast, dynamic environment.

Web Design and Development Intern

Looking for students interested in real hands on experience managing, developing, and designing PHP websites. IPS has a dozen or more websites on various topics and campaigns from inequality to militarism. Websites don't maintain themselves however and there is more than enough creative work to go around.

Interns will have the opportunity to learn cutting edge web development techniques using HTML5, CSS, CSS, jQuery, PHP, and MySQL on live websites, as well as server maintenance, web design, and search engine optimization.

Applicants should have a programming background, a basic understanding of PHP and database driven websites, and the ability to work independently as well as with others. WordPress experience a huge plus.

Administration Internships

Development / Fundraising Intern:

This position is best suited for those looking to gain experience in business/nonprofit administration. You will have the opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes operations of an effective organization. It is great experience for those also interested in establishing their own organization. This intern would be responsible for assisting IPS program staff with development efforts, data entry, organizing and filing development materials, donor mailings (printing letters, stuffing envelopes, prepping letters for postage and mailing), fundraising prospect research, organizing and assembling grant proposal packages, and planning/attending fundraising events.

Affiliated Project Internships

Split This Rock Poetry Festival

Split This Rock is dedicated to calling poets to a greater role in public life and fostering a network of activist poets. Building the audience for poetry of provocation and witness from our home in the nation's capital, we celebrate poetic diversity and the transformative power of the imagination. We sponsor a bi-annual poetry festival, which brings poets and activists from throughout the country to Washington, DC for four days of poetry, workshops, panel discussions, open mics, and activism at the intersection of the arts and social change. We also sponsor a monthly poetry series "Sunday Kind of Love" at Busboys and Poets, a reading series at IPS called "Poets in the Think Tank," and other local collaborations throughout the year with activist and arts organizations. Interns are needed to help with event planning, community organizing, outreach, fundraising, and publicity work.

Lessons of the Sixties: A Tool for Social Movements

The Lessons of the Sixties Project aims to create a history of local Washington DC area activism for peace and justice in the years 1963 to 1975 in order to inform current and future social movements for progressive change. We plan to build a an electronic archive/website to include 1) original documents including newspapers, pamphlets and other written/printed materials 2) photographs, posters, buttons, and other graphic materials and 3) written, oral and video personal accounts. In addition, we want to produce a printed/electronic anthology including photographs, essays, and original materials which will be a summary of the era and a quicker way to get an overview of the struggles and issues of the period. Interns should have strong research, writing, interviewing, and documenting abilities. Would be terrific for students or grad students whose focus is history, journalism, peace studies, social movements.

Our objective is to encompass as many of the key movements and events of this period as possible, for example:

• 1963 March on Washington
• Anti-war movement
• Black power movement
• Catholic Left and Jewish left
• Civil rights movement
• Collectives, co-ops, communities
• DC Statehood movement
• Environmental movement
• Federal employee activism
• Free school movement
• FBI spying and use of COINTELPRO tactics
• Gay rights movement
• Grape boycott, and more

Direct Care Alliance: Advocacy and Communications Internship

Direct Care Alliance (DCA) is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization in Washington, DC, made up of direct care workers, employers and people of all ages and disabilities who use long-term services, care and supports. We are working to build an empowered and valued professional direct care workforce and are seeking a creative and detail-oriented advocacy and communications intern. This is an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience at a national non-profit and learn about advocacy, health care, social justice and labor issues, while supporting an important cause.

Interns will assist the staff on projects including: grassroots and national advocacy, public policy, communications (including social media and newsletter development) and research related to a variety of issues such as labor rights for home care workers, Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act.

DCA requires a minimum time commitment of 12 hours per week (up to 35 hours). This is an unpaid internship. However, we are happy to assist students to receive academic credit for their internship. Candidates must have exceptional research, writing and editing skills, be detail-oriented and self-motivated, have strong computer skills and a willingness to work on a wide range of projects in a fast-paced environment. Direct Care Alliance provides interns with the opportunity to work in a supportive and collaborative environment.

To apply: Please send a cover letter, resume and writing sample (of no more than three pages) to Jessica Brill Ortiz, DCA’s National Advocacy Coordinator: jbrillortiz@directcarealliance.org. Be sure to include "Internship" in the email’s subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

PacRim Campaign Intern

This intern will help with the campaign efforts against the Canadian mining company that wants to open a gold mine in the Cabanas department (state) of El Salvador. This intern must possess strong research, writing skills, and the ability to speak and read Spanish.