Technology Equity Summer Associate

The Greenlining Institute•Oakland, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Greenlining Institute envisions a future where communities of color can build wealth, live in healthy places filled with economic opportunity, and are ready to meet the challenges posed by climate change. With equity practice and systems change guiding us, we incubate and advocate for new ideas and build with diverse communities and partners to ensure that race is never a barrier to opportunity. ABOUT SUMMER ASSOCIATE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM The Greenlining Institute’s Leadership Academy Summer Associates join the organization for an inclusive 8-week, cohort model, hands-on public policy, and leadership development internship to advance Greenlining’s race equity mission to remove race as a barrier to economic opportunity. Our goal is to invest in race equity policy advocates with a deep commitment to dismantle oppressive systems. This is a paid internship position that provides a stipend of $1,200 every 2 weeks ($6,000 total for the 10 weeks). Our offices are based in Oakland, CA, and require in person participation as well as the ability to travel to Sacramento and other locations. ABOUT THE POLICY FOCUS AREA The Technology Equity Summer Associate works with our team to promote greater accountability and equity in the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related infrastructure, to ensure any potential harms for low-income communities and communities of color can be mitigated and potential community benefits be delivered, In this role, the Summer Associate will support a policy project examining the rapid expansion of data centers, critical infrastructure for AI systems, and the disproportionate burden these facilities place on marginalized communities. The Technology Equity Summer Associate will help the Tech Equity team analyze existing and emerging policies governing data center siting and AI infrastructure, research the potential of Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) as tools to center community needs, and contribute to the development of actionable recommendations for mitigating adverse impacts and ensuring equitable economic outcomes. The Associate will also support the creation of a policy memo that provides a playbook for how communities can negotiate CBAs to transform the approval process from one that is largely exploitative into one that delivers localized benefits.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age or older
Able to participate in person for the 10-week program.
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time
Committed to championing causes that serve low-income individuals and communities of color
Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance
Willingness to try on new techniques and approach unfamiliar experiences with curiosity and openness to the process; approaches challenges that push beyond their professional comfort zone with determination, heart, and deep commitment to their personal growth.
Strong verbal and written communication skills to complete writing and public speaking assignments with high quality
Team player who inspires collaboration, lifts up the work of others, and maintains balance and perspective with patience and a sense of humor
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively while demonstrating flexibility with others to set goals, resolve problems, pivot assignments, and make decisions that move forward the work
Ability to create and maintain friendly and professional relationships with staff, other participants, and key stakeholders
Willing to develop and cultivate a growth mindset in your personal and professional journey.
Feel compelled to get involved in racial equity work based on today’s political climate
Ability to prioritize tasks, strong organizational skills, and an ability to work independently.
Strong writing and computer literacy of PC-based Google Drive and MS Office Programs

Nice To Haves

No degree or experience requirement to apply, BA in related field preferred

Responsibilities

Deepens and applies race equity lens to analyze and develop policy solutions that remove barriers for historically redlined communities
Develops, drafts, and publishes public policy writings including but not limited to: policy memos, policy briefs, business memos, public comments, blog posts
Delivers oral presentations for internal and external forums including Greenlining’s annual lobby day with Sacramento legislators/staffers, stakeholder convenings, Leadership Academy graduation
Co-facilitates meetings with community, government, and corporate leaders to drive organization’s advocacy forward
Participates in all leadership development workshops to learn and apply a holistic (mind, body, spirit) and equitable approach leadership
Learns unique leadership style, values, vision and purpose through self-reflection exercises, goal-setting activities and 1:1 coaching
Brings lived experience to cohort and organizational conversations to offer innovative ideas and diversity of perspective
Provides support to cohort members and engages in team-building activities to form strong working partnerships
Participates in all skills-based workshops to learn Greenlining’s approach to race equity public policy advocacy
Learns Greenlining’s keystone public policy frameworks to shape their race equity lens
Engages with Leadership Academy alumni to expand professional network
Develops capstone presentation to share during Leadership Academy graduation