Overview

AARP Washington is looking for a graduate student for a paid internship to support efforts to improve the lives of Washingtonians who are 50 years and older. AARP Washington State has nearly 900,000 members. Our state is also a top leader in the services we provide to people as they age. Our advocacy efforts include legislation at the state and federal levels to improve support for family caregivers, and retirement security, reduce the price of prescription drugs, and protect consumers. In addition, we are engaged in statewide and local advocacy around creating more housing choices for people to Age in Place. This internship involves supporting and managing advocacy efforts directed toward AARP volunteers, AARP members, state legislators, members of Congress, and the general public. You will gain experience in public policy, government relations, non-partisan advocacy, grassroots mobilization, coalition building, and elections. This paid internship has an anticipated start date of Spring 2023, with an option to continue for additional semesters.

Responsibilities

• Work with advocacy staff and volunteers to plan and implement state and federal legislative grassroots advocacy tactics and non-partisan voter engagement activities
• Monitor legislative activities, track bills, research policy issues, and media/public reaction
• Build volunteer base and outreach tactics in targeted legislative and Congressional districts
• Work with AARP advocacy volunteers and community partners to coordinate virtual and in-person attendance at hearings, campaign events, fairs/exhibits, townhalls, and other local events
• Enhance AARP's social media presence by creating a calendar and drafting articles/graphics for consistent and timely content
• Produce and distribute materials for legislators, community partners, volunteers, members, and the public
• Draft and edit articles for the state website, blog entries, email communications as well as testimony, one-pagers, action alerts, letters to the editor, and other articles, focusing on AARP's policy priorities and voter engagement efforts
• Attend volunteer and community partner meetings to track follow-up action items

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college/university rising undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or post-doctoral students and remain academically enrolled throughout the internship or must have previously graduated from college and enrolled in a continuing education program
• Graduate student required; preference to students enrolled in a Master of Public Administration, Public Policy, or Public Health program
• Prior experience in issue and/or legislative advocacy, although not required, would be helpful
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and familiarity with social media tools.
• Research and analytical skills
• Interest in aging, long-term care, nonprofits, communications/public relations, and political issues
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills to work well with team members while being flexible and adaptable to work on independent projects
• Must be available to work a minimum of 15 hours a week in our SeaTac office with the flexibility to work in the Olympia office as needed, as well as comfortable with virtual meetings

Physical/Mental Demands

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement and discretion requiring the employee to compare and evaluate various courses of conduct and make a decision (or recommend a decision to be made) after various possibilities have been considered.
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds

Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly range is $18 for undergraduates, $21 for graduate students, $28 for Ph.D. candidates. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.