Policy Advocacy Internship

Center for Employment Opportunities • Oakland, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Advocacy Fellow supports the Center for Employment Opportunities’ Investment and Powerbuilding teams in delivering the Advocacy Leadership Committee (ALC), an advocacy leadership and organizing training program. Drawing on their own experience as an ALC member, the fellow helps develop the next cohort of organizers-in-training and participates in opportunities to build advocacy skills. The fellowship includes CEO’s Emerging Leaders Program, with structured professional development, a peer cohort in reentry, and professional mentorship, as well as work toward a Certificate in Social Justice for Community Organizing offered through the University of Michigan Online.

Fellowships last approximately six months, with possible extensions in special circumstances. The role is hybrid: most team work is conducted remotely, but fellows should expect to commute to and work from their local CEO office at least two days per week. Fellows are paid hourly, typically $19–$21 per hour depending on location, and should expect to work approximately 20–30 hours per week.

Requirements

• A strong desire to change the status quo.
• Optimism and passion for criminal legal reform.
• A growth mindset, willingness to try unfamiliar tasks, comfort with making mistakes, and resilience in trying again.
• Ability to show up for others and demonstrate natural leadership.
• Ability to build rapport with CEO members through authenticity and humility, including as a credible messenger whose lived experience in the legal system informs that connection.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in community organizing.

Responsibilities

• Convene, facilitate, moderate, and instruct training sessions for cohorts of the Advocacy Leadership Committee (ALC).
• Assist with planning and coordinating 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 using Salesforce, Google Sheets, or other means 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 remote and in-person trainings on CEO campaigns 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 proactive in the local advocacy community, track 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

• Access to CEO’s Emerging Leaders Program, including structured professional development, a cohort of peers 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