As the start of the 84th Texas Legislative Session approaches, we’re looking to add a couple more passionate advocates to our team. As usual, we’ll be working primarily on energy, environmental and ethics issues. If you want a good learning experience with an opportunity to make a difference, read on.
Environmental/Energy Research/Social Media/Administrative Assistant
Public Citizen’s Texas office seeks an organized and motivated person to provide research, social media and light administrative assistance to a former Texas State Representative that will be volunteering with us for the Legislative session.
Duties will include assisting a former state representative with social media (Facebook and Twitter), Capitol office visits, research, and some light administrative work – mostly helping to keep things organized. This will include research on radioactive waste and fracking, but could include other topics as well. The assistant will help develop factsheets and blog posts based on this research. The assistant will be asked to track bills as they are filed and move through the legislative process and to help distribute materials to state legislative offices.
Qualifications: Ability to commit to 25+ hr/week through June 1; Professional business attire required most days; Desire to make a difference; Great writing and communication skills; Ability to use computer programs, such as Word, Excel, and Power Point; Ability to stay organized; Ability to work with a team; Self-motivation; Desire to learn is a must; Background in energy, environmental issues, politics, economics, or public policy is helpful, but not required
To Apply: Send a cover letter detailing why you want to work with Public Citizen, your resume, and a writing sample to Kaiba White at kwhite@citizen.org.
Environmental/Energy Policy and Advocacy Internship
Interns work with the Texas Legislature, the media, and other public interest groups to change laws and educate the public on environmental issues, especially those relating to energy use.
Typical intern projects include developing presentations and factsheets for various audiences, helping with citizen-organizing campaigns, and researching and writing reports to release to the media and state decision-makers, assisting with press conferences, briefings, and other events, and contributing to our blog and social media. During the Texas legislative session, interns will track bills, perhaps help write proposed legislation, participate in lobby visits, help distribute materials to state legislative offices, and often have the opportunity to testify before legislative committees and lobby legislators, under the direction of one of our staff.
Projects that we are currently engaged with include educating the public about the benefits of solar energy, working with electric providers to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy, improving air quality at Texas ports, stopping coal exports from the Gulf Coast, and getting the oldest, dirtiest coal-fired generators in Texas shut down. Interns typically set their schedules with the intern coordinator and work 15-20 hours per week. Internships are unpaid, but students can receive college credit for their work.
Qualifications: Minimum commitment 15hrs/week (20 hr is preferred); Desire to make a difference; Great writing and communication skills; Ability to use computer programs, such as Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access; Ability to stay organized; Ability to work with a team; Self-motivation; Desire to learn is a must; Background in energy, environmental issues, politics, economics, or public policy is helpful, but not required; Anyone with graphic design or video skills is encouraged to apply.
To Apply: Send a cover letter detailing why you want to intern here and how a Public Citizen internship will fit into your future career and academic plans, your resume, and a writing sample to Kaiba White at kwhite@citizen.org.
