The Public Policy Interns have numerous compelling opportunities to engage in advocacy first hand. Projects of special interest are encouraged and supported. This is an incredible chance to see how grassroots organizing and public policy advocacy is done both in the community, within state agencies, and at the State House. Interns make a host of contacts in public policy throughout Massachusetts and across disciplines. The position will have administrative duties as related to the larger policy intern role.
Responsibilities:
1. Public Policy Advocacy The Public Policy Intern(s) will assist the Public Policy Director with all aspects of public policy advocacy including: a. Meetings with legislators and their staff, state agency administrators, public policy colleagues in public health, child welfare, education, and housing; community-based provider organizations, and youth. b. Drafting testimony, budget fact sheets and letters, policy briefs, articles, policy analysis, research summaries, data synthesis and reports, press releases, and more. c. Framing and messaging on issues associated with teen pregnancy, parenting, and adolescent sexual health and youth development. d. Devising public relations efforts on policy priorities and connecting our priorities to current legislative/administrative focuses. e. Help move forward policy agenda around increasing educational opportunity among expectant and parenting teens.
We have two ongoing projects: one focused on the intersection of teen pregnancy, homelessness and commercial sexual exploitation and another focused on increasing access to education for expectant and parenting teens. A significant portion of our public policy advocacy will relate to these two projects. We also have standard budget advocacy in support for teen pregnancy prevention and teen parent programs in the Massachusetts state budget.
2. Organizing The Public Policy Intern(s) will assist the Public Policy Director with aspects of community organizing including: a. Information gathering from community-based providers and young people. b. Assist in advocacy trainings of expectant and parenting teens throughout Massachusetts
3. Event Planning: The Public Policy Intern(s) will assist the Public Policy Director with all aspects of Lobby Day planning and execution including: a. Primary responsibility for organizing one of the largest (600+) State House lobby days for youth. b. Developing youth engagement strategies to help teens and teen parents bring their voices and concerns to policymakers. c. Liaison for provider community seeking to connect to policymakers and policy issues. d. Conducting evaluation and reporting on lobby day activities
Position Requirements:
- Commitment to and belief in the mission of the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy, and desire to empower the young people of Massachusetts;
- Engagement in a Master's Level of study preferred;
- Resourceful and thorough;
- Strong organizational skills;
- Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously;
- Willingness and ability to work autonomously, with direction and support;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Experience in youth services preferred;
- Integrity, sense of humor, and desire to "do good" in the world;
