Political Advocate - Paid Internship

Clean Water Action • East Lansing, MI

13h • $22 - $22 • Onsite

About The Position

As an advocacy intern at Clean Water Action, you will be working with our organizing team. Our grassroots organizing team speaks to Michigan residents every day about local issues, informing and educating the public, building support and channeling that support into action. Over the past 54 years, we have worked on a wide variety of issues connected to water quality, water access and environmental justice. Our recent victories include passing a drinking water standard for PFAs in Michigan, setting the highest standard for lead in drinking water in the country, and funding lead pipe replacement across the state.
Right now, Michigan is experiencing a surge in proposed data center developments, despite the protests of local residents all across the state - who have good reason to be skeptical. Data centers consistently promise economic development opportunities that don’t materialize. While there are temporary job gains during construction, data centers have historically created only a few low wage jobs in the long term, while communities pay the price in higher energy bills and threats to water quality. A May 2026 poll found that 77% of Michigan residents support regulations requiring more transparency from data center projects. We need to pause this data center frenzy before more damage is done. That's why we're working to pass a moratorium on data center construction across the state.
From now (October) until Election Day (November 3rd), we are working on a special project combining our fight against data centers with the need to turn folks around the state out to vote all the way down the ballot. We need to ensure that strong environmental advocates who will push back on data centers are elected to local, state and federal offices, and that our supporters understand all of the different options for voting in Michigan.

Requirements

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Good attention to detail
• Cultural competence and a commitment to racial justice and equity
• Interest in non-profit work, policy, or politics
• Enjoy working directly with people and be comfortable engaging with community members from a wide variety of backgrounds
• In person positions
• Expected to be masked in indoor spaces
• Students to work with us for the fall semester, starting any time and working at least through Election Day
• Can work hours from 2pm to 10:30pm at least 3 days/week, Mon through Fri
• Located in Ann Arbor or East Lansing, MI

Nice To Haves

• Multilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

• Ensuring communities are aware of our issues and given the tools to achieve solutions by organizing with our field canvass team.
• Talking with community members about voting in order to elect strong environmental candidates
• Educating registered voters about options for absentee voting and making sure they know when/where to vote
• Participating in occasional press conferences, lobby days, virtual town halls, and other events

Benefits

• Training on environmental issues including regular seminars
• Training in the legislative process and the political arena
• Develop strong communication and organizational skills
• Opportunities to continue to work with us beyond the election
• Opportunities for future permanent positions and career development
• Opportunities for travel to national conferences, and to other offices across the country
• Could potentially be used for class credit

What This Job Offers

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