Public Policy Intern

RAINN • Washington, DC

2d • Remote

About The Position

Our Public Policy department advocates for an improved response to sexual violence, including through the criminal justice, legal, healthcare and social services systems, in order to ensure survivors receive the justice and care they deserve. We monitor policies, legislation and regulations which impact victims of sexual violence. In addition, we work with Congress and state legislatures to promote laws dedicated to helping survivors of sexual assault. The Public Policy Intern provides essential research and fact gathering concerning a wide range of sexual violence issues. The Intern will also be expected to draft materials as needed, including memoranda and research papers, and may be asked to review policy documents. This internship will focus on federal and state legislative advocacy. In addition, the intern will assist RAINN's Public Policy Team in their general work with Congressional and state legislative offices.

Requirements

• Current undergraduate or graduate student (preferred qualification). Recent graduates are welcome to apply. A “recent graduate” means the internship will be complete within one year from the date of graduation.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Strong writing, research, analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong interest in policy work.
• Demonstrated interest in the issue of sexual violence.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace applications (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms) with demonstrated ability to effectively utilize these tools for communication, collaboration, organization, and data management.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and a team-player attitude.
• Must complete and pass a criminal background check administered by RAINN.
• Dependable high-speed internet connection sufficient to support all internship-related tasks, including accessing systems, and communicating with teams.

Responsibilities

• Learn about and observe how the policy team engages with governmental agencies, Congressional offices, and state legislative offices, while providing support on select projects as appropriate.
• Develop research skills by gathering and summarizing information related to sexual assault policy issues and emerging legislative trends.
• Gain exposure to the policy development process by assisting with background research and contributing to draft memoranda, policy statements, briefing materials, and correspondence under staff guidance.
• Build professional administrative and organizational skills through participation in data entry, document management, and departmental support activities.
• Learn how policy resources are organized and shared by assisting with the maintenance and enhancement of databases, resource libraries, and dissemination tools.
• Gain experience monitoring and tracking legislation across all 50 states and learn how legislative developments inform policy and advocacy strategies.
• Participate in team meetings, discussions, and mentorship opportunities designed to enhance understanding of public policy, advocacy, and nonprofit operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree