Policy Intern/Fellow

JOB DESCRIPTION 

The Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) is hiring a paid part-time Policy Intern (or Fellow if the applicant is a graduate student). SSN is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that connects journalists, policymakers, and civic leaders to the 2,000+ university-based scholars who form a part of the SSN network. SSN also supports the work of 40 state-based chapters led by volunteer members. The Policy Intern, who reports to SSN’s Director of Policy, will be responsible for supporting the team’s everyday work of helping a broad array of scholars convey their research to policymakers and the public in ways that can improve policy and strengthen democracy.

The Policy Intern is a flexible part-time position with an hourly wage between $16-$19 per hour,  commensurate with experience. The position requires a commitment of 10-20 hours per week, with an ideal start date of early-August and continuing through the full academic semester (mid-December), with the possibility of extension.  This is a fully remote position with the option to work in person in SSN’s Boston office. Massachusetts residents are preferred, but consideration will be given to qualified candidates in other states. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

As a large organization with a small staff, SSN has a Policy team that supports our members and chapters across the country to influence public policy. Among other tasks, the Policy Intern will:  

• Assist with Policy Actor Outreach: The Intern will support the policy team to connect scholars and their research to local, state, and federal policymakers, civic organizations, and other policy actors to share SSN member research and help facilitate relationships. This will include helping policy team staff identify relevant policy actors, make initial outreach to those policy actors, assemble documents, prepare for meetings, and sit in on and document meetings between policy actors, staff, and scholars.
• Track Policy Debates: The Intern will help the policy team track federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, and policy debates in several policy areas, including: education, health, voting and elections, taxes, and work-family policies. This will include research on federal, state, and local policy, processes, and ecosystems for both short- and long-term projects. 
• Mobilize Members. As policy opportunities arise, the Intern will help staff identify, reach out to, and support individuals or groups of SSN members to engage with that opportunity. Support for members includes: researching and sharing information on how to submit public comments or written testimony, help with editing and formatting written policy documents, and helping scholars practice oral testimony.
• Coordinate Virtual Programming: The Intern will help coordinate policy engagement programming via Zoom, including topical policy briefings and workshops. This will include participating in planning content and format, coordinating logistics with speakers, event page setup, invitations, and Zoom support. After each event, the Intern will help assemble written event summaries, links to suggested resources, and Zoom recordings to share with participants. 
• Manage Policy Project Data: The Intern will support Policy team members to use and maintain data in Salesforce and Asana to serve team and organizational goals. 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING 

Applicants with an interest in organizing and research dissemination are strongly encouraged to apply. Interns will have the option to attend trainings for members on topics including how to write a policy brief and engage with your state legislature. Interns will also receive training on Salesforce, which will be an integral part of the role. Interns will be offered opportunities to meet with SSN  staff, and potentially SSN members, to learn more about their roles. Interns will receive $50 towards additional professional development activities of interest each semester.  

QUALIFICATIONS 

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a deep interest in making research matter and improving public policy. Applicants with the below qualifications will be considered:  

• An advanced undergraduate or a graduate student  
• Familiar with, and eager to learn more about legislative and other policymaking process
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Apps  
• Experienced with Zoom event management  
• Familiar with Salesforce and Asana or comfortable with and quickly able to learn new database and task management systems
• An excellent writer and proofreader  
• Able to work on tasks independently in a remote work environment and communicate progress to team members  
• Committed to SSN’s mission, interested in evidence-based policy, and eager to learn more  about when and how research is used in policymaking  

SSN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, class,  color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. People of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates considering a career transition or whose skills and experience fulfill some, but not all of the qualifications above are encouraged to apply.