Legislative Affairs Intern
Employment Type: Part-Time, Hourly
Wage: An hourly rate of $16 base pay
Department: Political
Reports To: Legislative Affairs Associate
Position Location: Sacramento, California
Work Schedule: We request interns commit to a minimum of 20 hours per week, and your
schedule will be arranged with your manager based on your availability.
Vaccine Policy: We require all staff to be fully vaccinated
Highly respected organizations, California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), and EnviroVoters Education Fund, are excited to launch a search for a Legislative Affairs Intern to join our dynamic, fun, and high-performing team!
We are looking for an enthusiastic and organized individual to join our high-performing team as the Legislative Affairs Intern to support the exciting and impactful work of our Legislative Team. EnviroVoters legislative team advocates for bold policies at the state level that will meaningfully address the climate crisis, hold polluters accountable, and move our state towards a more just and sustainable future for everyone.
This position is a great learning opportunity for a final-year student or recent college graduate who wants to learn more about climate policy and legislative advocacy in California - what it takes to make meaningful change through state policy. Through participating in policy committees, supporting partnerships with other environmental organizations, and building relationships with legislators and their staff, the Legislative Affairs Intern will support the legislative advocacy and policy work of EnviroVoters to hold the California State Legislature accountable to passing globally significant policy change that is needed to solve the climate crisis and to combat the corporate polluter agenda to delay climate action.
This position will report to the Legislative Affairs Associate and will work in collaboration with a range of EnviroVoters’ staff across the organization. The ideal candidate is someone who has strong writing and public speaking skills, an eagerness to learn about environmental and environmental justice policies, works well in a team, and either has experience or is interested in working in politics, organizing, and advocacy.
WHO WE ARE
We believe this moment requires transformative change.
The climate crisis is here. And Black, Indigenous and people of color have been bearing the burden of our pollution-based economy for generations. We have the solutions to stop climate change, but we lack the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s needed.
EnviroVoters exists to build the political will and power to solve the climate crisis, use climate action to advance justice, and create a global roadmap. To protect our water, land, air, and our most vulnerable communities, we organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change.
Our vision is to build resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.
EnviroVoters Education Fund, EnviroVoters’s 501(c)3 sister organization, works through programs focused on voter engagement and mobilization, issue advocacy, legislative accountability, and research and opinion polling to provide the public, policymakers, and environmental advocates with the resources they need to make California’s air, water and natural resources cleaner and greener through the democratic process. For more information, please visit www.envirovotersedfund.org.
The work of EnviroVoters and EnviroVoters Ed Fund to protect and advocate for the environment is rooted in our commitment to racial, social, and environmental justice. Engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, among other key constituencies for the environment is an organizational priority. Within the organization, we aim to create a workplace culture and policies and practices that demonstrate how we value equity and inclusion.
OUR CORE VALUES
Relationships are at the heart of our culture and our core values enable us to build ones that are strong, trusting, empowering, and thriving. Therefore, in our everyday interactions with each other and our partners, we strive to act with Equity, Courage, Integrity, Compassion, Impact, and Learning.
WORK SCHEDULE AND VACCINE POLICY
A focus on relationships also informs our work schedule. We believe time together in person is critical to team building. To that end, we currently work two days a week in person. As such, we require all employees to be fully vaccinated.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Legislative Affairs Intern will be part of an effective and impactful team working to make a big difference for climate justice in California, the largest state in the country and the fifth largest economy in the world.
The Legislative Affairs Intern will have unique, first-hand experience into the California State Legislature and its processes, develop relationships with Legislative offices and with EnviroVoters’ partner organizations within the Green California network. Additionally, the intern will grow their understanding of environmental policy and politics and be given the opportunity to incorporate their ideas and experiences into EnviroVoters’ programs and projects like the California Environmental Scorecard and public education campaigns. If you are looking for an exciting and innovative place to work to bring your passion, energy, and ideas, please take a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications below:
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support the Legislative team’s advocacy efforts to advance a bold climate agenda in California.
- Inform policy development and advocacy by performing research, investigating stakeholder perspectives, synthesizing relevant materials, and communicating research results on critical policy questions.
- Track relevant developments and deadlines in the California State Legislature related to EnviroVoter’s priorities.
- Support the preparation of factsheets, blogs, policy briefs, and communications materials on specific issue areas relevant to the Legislative Team's advocacy needs.
- Occasionally represent the organization in legislative policy committee hearings.
- Support the preparation of official position letters for legislation.
- Support the scheduling and planning for lobby meetings with legislative offices and policy decision makers.
- Support the data collection for the EnviroVoter’s Annual California Environmental Scorecard.
- Administrative support for the legislative team such as calendaring projects and events and assisting with tracking progress on goals
- Attend internal and external meetings to take notes, provide input and updates, and synthesize action items and takeaways.
- Support EnviroVoter's Legislative Team on related projects as needed and/or according to the intern's interests.
- Other duties as assigned.
MUST HAVES
- High school degree or equivalent
- Proficiency in Microsoft (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated interest in climate policy, environmental policy, environmental justice and equity, or climate/environmental science.
- Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.
- Strong research skills and ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Enthusiastic desire to learn and grow.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a team, as well as the ability to work independently to complete projects.
- Ability to work remotely.
WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW
You will receive compensation at an hourly rate of $16 and paid sick leave.
We are committed to equity, inclusion, and environmental justice. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we seek to create and sustain a team that reflects the diversity of the state we serve. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, especially those with experience working with communities most impacted by California's environmental challenges.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply through our careers portal – in case you need it, here is the link. Please note that a cover letter and resume must be provided for consideration and that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about you! Thank you for your interest in EnviroVoters!
California Environmental Voters and the California Environmental Voters Education Fund are committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.