Policy Advocacy Internship

Center for Employment Opportunities • Sacramento, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Advocacy Fellow supports the Center for Employment Opportunities’ Investment and Powerbuilding teams in operating the Advocacy Leadership Committee (ALC), an advocacy leadership and organizing training program. Fellows draw on their experience as ALC members to help develop the next cohort of organizers-in-training and gain opportunities to prepare for advocacy at all levels of government. They also participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, which provides structured professional development, a cohort of peers in reentry, and professional mentorship, and work toward a Certificate in Social Justice for Community Organizing offered through the University of Michigan Online.

Fellowships last approximately six months and may be extended in special circumstances. The role is hybrid: most team work is conducted remotely, with at least two days per week commuting to and working from a local CEO office. Fellows are paid hourly and typically work approximately 20–30 hours per week. The typical hourly rate is $18–$20, varying by location and other compensation factors.

Requirements

• A desire for short-term, meaningful experience that supports the next step in a career.
• Natural leadership and willingness to step up and support others when a need is clear.
• Strong desire to change the status quo.
• Optimism and passion for criminal legal reform.
• A growth mindset, willingness to approach unknowns and try, and ability to recover from mistakes and try again.
• Lived experience in the legal system that can support authentic, humble rapport with CEO members as a credible messenger.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in community organizing.

Responsibilities

• Convene, facilitate, moderate, and instruct training sessions for cohorts of CEO’s Advocacy Leadership Committee (ALC).
• Help plan and coordinate ALC cohorts in assigned locations, including recruiting members and preparing them for the learning opportunity.
• Prepare and distribute materials to new ALC members locally and remotely.
• Support experience and knowledge sharing by recognizing ALC members as experts and champions of change.
• Document engagement activities in writing using Salesforce, Google Sheets, or other methods as directed by the supervisor.
• Become knowledgeable about CEO’s policy agenda and campaigns.
• Support CEO’s policy agenda by representing the organization in external coalitions or campaigns and engaging with external groups, ALC members, and elected officials in partnership with CEO leadership.
• Conduct trainings on CEO campaigns remotely and in person to raise awareness.
• Contribute to campaign goals by sharing personal perspectives and experiences through blogs, interviews, testimony, or other means.
• Engage with local partners by attending meetings, reading newsletters, and joining their organizations as members if needed.
• Stay active in the local advocacy community, noting local groups’ work and identifying opportunities for CEO collaboration.
• Develop the ability to speak confidently from personal experience and perspective.
• Create a positive culture for members, encourage connectivity, and demonstrate respect and compassion.
• Ask questions, share opinions, support colleagues, and seek to learn and improve daily.

Benefits

• Structured professional development through CEO’s Emerging Leaders Program.
• Participation in a cohort of motivated peers in reentry.
• Professional mentorship.
• Opportunity to work toward a Certificate in Social Justice for Community Organizing through the University of Michigan Online.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed