Public Policy Intern - summer 2023

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The Arc's Public Policy Intern is a stipend eligible position for summer 2023. Includes a $1500 stipend; half paid at mid-point of internship & remainder paid at the end. The Arc Minnesota’s Public Policy Intern will support efforts to advance components of the annual work plan in the areas of civic and community engagement, legislative advocacy, public policy communications, education and self-advocacy.

Responsibilities:

• Connect and collaborate with staff and stakeholders to accomplish civic engagement goals
• Engage in outreach efforts related to The Arc MN’s systems advocacy & legislative agenda
• Assist with logistics & coordination for policy related events; i.e. town hall forums, candidate forums, information sessions, etc.; attend events as schedule allows
• Develop and update engaging content for public policy website and social media platforms
• Create & implement public policy & systems advocacy workshops, webinars & trainings
• Assist in creating online voter engagement resources and Get Out the Vote activities
• Support issue-specific research & data collection in state and federal policy related matters
• Gather issue-specific stories from stakeholders; share during election cycle & session
• Manage and update The Arc Minnesota district mapping tool as needed
• Collaborate with policy staff on member relations with elected officials; organize home visits, listening sessions, etc. with elected officials and their constituents
• Participate in grassroots networking; create & strengthen disability policy focused coalitions
• Support & assist with researching and drafting public comments on issues impacting the disability community at state and federal levels
• Build & strengthen relationships with Minnesota’s congressional delegation & staff members Build and strengthen relationships with The Arc U.S. policy staff and support organization’s meaningful engagement in federal policy efforts
• Partner with policy team to coordinate & attend in-district events, meetings & home visits
• Other duties as requested

Professional Development Benefits:

• Includes a $1500 stipend; half paid at mid-point of internship & remainder paid at the end
• Build understanding of programs and services accessed by individuals with IDD and family
• Gain knowledge of public policies relevant to the disability community
• Develop experience in planning and implementing grassroots advocacy strategies
• Build awareness of 501c3 nonprofit lobbying/advocacy rules and guidelines
• Engage elected officials; experience in local government affairs
• Deepen interpersonal and external communications skills
• Develop relationships with The Arc Minnesota staff and stakeholders
• Learn and incorporate The Arc’s core values of Human & Civil Rights, Self-Advocacy & Self-Direction, Equity & Belonging and Disability and Racial Justice

Qualifications:

• Experience with and working on political campaigns and/or with elected officials
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable making calls
• Will work with and have respect for people of all backgrounds; in teams and independently
• Reliable, flexible, detail-oriented and open to constructive feedback
• Dependable and can keep information confidential
• Effective time management and problem solving skills; proficient computer skills
• Manages multiple priorities and follows a project through to completion
• Knowledge of public policy impacting Minnesotans with disabilities preferred
• Commitment to social, racial, disability and LGBTQ+ justice and their intersections
• Multiple language capabilities preferred but not required
• Preference for individuals with a disability
• Preference for individuals with lived experience around race & disability justice

Time Commitment:

• 10-15 hours per week May - August 2023. Internship done remotely and/or in-person. Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends as schedule allows/if needed.

The Arc Minnesota is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to promote and protect the human rights of people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through statewide programs and services, we help people navigate systems while working to advance social change centered in justice, equity, and belonging in community.