Government Relations Intern

Overview

SPRING 2027 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Start/End Date: Jan 2027 through May 2027

Work Requ irements: Approximately 20-30 hrs per week

Salary: $18.40/hr

Location: This internship is an office-based, on site-position located in Washington, DC Currently operating under a hybrid model: 3 days remote/2 days in office (where applicable) 

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Government Relations-Policy & Advocacy, the Government Relations: Federal & Advocacy Intern will support the Federal Government Relations and Advocacy departments in Washington, D.C.Responsibilities will range from research, planning and execution of events as well as other core team responsibilities related to the organization and its mission.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand the inner workings of the DC nonprofit government relations, public policy, and advocacy systems.
• How to execute and manage advocacy strategies
• How to build and manage relationships with stakeholders to the benefit of the program and mission
• How to use essential advocacy tools and software
• How to meet challenges, overcome obstacles, and work in a dynamic team environment
• How to develop stewardship communication skills

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and track meetings and visits with Members of Congress and the Administration conducted with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local Club organizations.
• Research legislation and regulatory comments important to Boys & Girls Clubs at a national, state, and local level; Conduct web-based and other research as needed on BGCA legislative issues.
• Research, collect and aggregate data on issues critical to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s federal legislative priorities.
• Attend coalition meetings, Capitol Hill visits, and Congressional hearings on behalf of BGCA
• Create and update biographical and background information on Members of Congress and stakeholders.
• Assist with planning and support of BGCA’s fly-ins and/or other Government Relations events.
• Support thought leadership opportunities as assigned.
• Assist with production and editing of government relations & advocacy materials and internal documents.
• Support collection of relevant Club and youth stories related to BGCA priority issues to further enhance BGCA advocacy efforts.
• Perform basic clerical tasks, including word processing, copying, mailing, filing, managing routine office business, and provide other program, administrative, and organization-wide support as needed/assigned.
• Other related/comparable duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Must be enrolled at an undergraduate 2 or 4 year college/university or equivalent work experience
• Basic understanding and interest in advocacy, government relations, public policy & legislative procedure required
• Interest in nonprofit and youth development encouraged
• Strong interest in project management in nonprofit environments

Skill-set

• Strong computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, SharePoint, etc.).
• Strong verbal and written communications skills including proofreading, copy editing, writing, and oral communication skills
• An ability to manage time appropriately.
• Demonstrated professionalism and maturity and a tolerance for rapid pace and shifting assignments and priorities
• Flexibility, good judgement, attention to detail
• A demonstrated commitment and interest in the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• An ability to adhere to organizational policies and procedures as described in BGCA's Ethics Policy and elsewhere.

Personal Qualifications

• Ability to demonstrate BGCA’s values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence (ICARE) and integrate them into your work environment, model them in the way that you work, and uphold those same values in others.
• Demonstrate a track record of reliability, independent work, and creativity and is self-motivated
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively as well as an eagerness to learn.
• Must be available, on-site in Washington, DC February 22, 2027 – March 2, 2027 (as assigned).