Policy Advocacy Internship

Center for Employment Opportunities • Tulsa, OK

2d • 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. Drawing on their experience as an ALC member, the fellow helps develop the next cohort of organizers-in-training and gains opportunities to prepare for advocacy work at all levels of government. Fellows also participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, which offers structured professional development, a peer cohort of people in reentry, and professional mentorship, and work toward a Certificate in Social Justice for Community Organizing offered through the University of Michigan Online.

The fellowship lasts approximately six months, with possible extensions 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 the fellow’s local CEO office. Fellows are paid hourly, typically at $17–$19 per hour depending on location, and should expect to work approximately 20–30 hours per week.

The Center for Employment Opportunities provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Each year, 8,000–9,000 people participate in CEO programs across the United States. Since 1996, more than 30,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment through CEO.

Requirements

• A strong desire to change the status quo.
• Optimism and passion for criminal legal reform.
• Leadership and willingness to step forward to support others when there is a clear need.
• A growth mindset, including willingness to try unfamiliar tasks, make mistakes, and try again.
• Ability to build rapport with CEO members through authenticity and humility, drawing on lived experience in the legal system.
• Willingness to commute to and work from the local CEO office at least two days per week.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in community organizing.

Responsibilities

• Convene, facilitate, moderate, and instruct training sessions for cohorts of the 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 Salesforce, Google Sheets, or other methods 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 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, follow the work of local groups, and identify 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

• Participation in CEO’s Emerging Leaders Program, including structured professional development, a peer cohort in reentry, and 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