Summer Hire Autism Intern

Are you looking for a job where you can learn, grow, and make a difference? The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is seeking a passionate individual to fill our summer Hire Autism internship position. OAR is a national non-profit based in Arlington, VA, with the mission to apply research to the everyday challenges of autism.

OAR’s Hire Autism program is a national initiative intended to help autistic individuals find meaningful work and businesses create more welcoming, inclusive workplaces. Hire Autism is built around a jobs portal, free job search resources, and a growing base of key volunteers/mentors from across the U.S. called Hire Autism Navigators. Navigators provide one-on-one support to our job seekers, helping them with aspects of the job search, including resume and cover letter writing and interview preparation.

This internship offers an exciting opportunity to gain work experience in the non-profit sector by working closely with our Hire Autism team on projects that benefit the autism community. The ideal candidate shares our passion for serving the autism community, possesses strong organizational, communication, and computer skills, and works well both independently and with others.

Please note that OAR is not a clinical research institution. Staff and interns engage with members of the autism community but are not expected to deliver interventions or conduct research.

Required Qualifications

• A high school diploma or 1-3 years of relevant work experience.
• Comfortable engaging in video-based virtual and in-person meetings.
• Use of clear and respectful communication in writing and conversation.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Works effectively both independently and collaboratively within a small team.
• Competence with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office), Outlook, Google Workspace, and online searching.

Desired Qualifications

• Relevant personal or professional experience with autism.
• Previous leadership or volunteer experience.
• Familiarity with Canva, WordPress, Metricool, Mailchimp, Calendly, Social Media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, and video editing software.

OAR recognizes that not all qualified candidates will have all the qualifications above. We encourage any interested candidates who meet some but not all the qualifications to apply. OAR will consider all aspects of a candidate’s resume and cover letter when reviewing applications. OAR is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, pregnancy status, or gender identity), age, or disability.

Interns work on meaningful projects, attend staff meetings, contribute insights, and uphold a high level of professionalism. Interns receive training and guidance from their supervisors and have opportunities to engage with other staff.

• Duration: Full-time for 10 weeks, typically early June to mid-August.
• Compensation: $15 per hour stipend and/or class credit (pending approval).
• Location: The OAR office is located in Arlington, VA, within walking distance of the Court House Metro station (orange and silver line). This is a hybrid position that requires three days in the office per week. Interns must arrange their own housing and travel.