With Who: Partnership for Public Service
Location: Remote (organization in Washington, DC)
Dates: Spring 2021
Compensation: $800.00 Per month
Position Description: (This is a paid internship.) The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with a big mission: we’re working to ensure the federal government is dynamic, innovative and that it effectively serves the American people. We’ve got a great team that helps make it happen. Our staff is diverse in experience and perspective, but at our core, we share a lot of the same traits. We are mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive.
Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:
- Passion for public service and our work toward a more effective government
- People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect
- Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results
- Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible
We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process. Are you ready to join our team?
The Partnership’s communication efforts are designed to change public perceptions, educate the public about the need for a high-performing government and help connect citizens to their government. In addition, the Communications team ensures that Partnership programs and activities are heard, understood and are actionable.
The Communications interns are an integral member of the Communications team and assist with writing, editing and brainstorming new ideas. These interns generate the Partnership’s daily electronic newsletter, help the team plan and execute events from start to finish, including the Partnership’s annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, manage the Partnership’s social media outreach including Twitter and Facebook, support traditional media efforts and assist with our email marketing, event invitations and constituent database. This is a terrific opportunity for individuals who are interested or have experience in communications, marketing or event planning.
The ideal candidate is outgoing, detail-oriented, a team player and has excellent writing, organization and public speaking skills. You will have the opportunity to develop marketing experience by representing the Partnership to the public and also gain experience using CRM and email marketing systems, two highly marketable skills for communications professionals.
For Spring 2021, one of the interns will support communications for our Center for Presidential Transition. The Center helps presidential candidates and their transition teams, second-term administrations and federal agencies navigate the transition process and ensure our president will be ready to govern on day one. Once considered presumptuous, a well-organized and resourced presidential transition is a necessity, and must begin long before Election Day. The Partnership will bring together key stakeholders and experts, and provide a rich collection of resources to inform and support presidential transition teams and federal agency leaders.
This intern will support the Center’s communications efforts by assisting with areas including events planning, the Center newsletter, copy for social media efforts related with transition, possible podcast recording, background research on key transition players and gathering information on transition-related reporters. The ideal candidate will have a flexible mindset, an aptitude for fast-paced environments, working knowledge of the federal government and be an avid consumer of news.
Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities:
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Perform meaningful work in assigned department
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Participate in projects and tasks as assigned
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Comply with all applicable laws/regulations, as well as company policies/procedures
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Perform other duties as required
Disclaimer: This job description is general in nature and is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Public Service Internship Program: The Public Service Internship Program is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students as well as recent graduates to contribute to the Partnership’s mission while developing valuable professional skills. Spring 2021 internships available in:
- Communications: 2-3 positions (ideal for those interested in communications, marketing, events planning)
- Development: 1 position (ideal for those interested in nonprofit fundraising and relationship management)
- Government affairs: 2-3 positions (ideal for those interested in the legislative process and federal policies)
- Government leadership and management programs (federal workforce, government effectiveness, leadership development): 6-8 positions (ideal for those interested in organizational and leadership development, human capital, business of government, the federal hiring process)
- Presidential transition: 2-3 positions (ideal for those interested in presidential transition)
- Research, analysis and program evaluation: 2-3 positions (ideal for those interested in social science research)
Specific internship position descriptions and more information are available at https://ourpublicservice.org/about/public-service-internship-program/ .
Interns work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Their responsibilities vary but often include event planning and execution, research, writing and outreach to external partners, including federal agencies and colleges and universities. Additionally, there is time allocated to support the organization by taking shifts to staff the front desk and assisting other teams as needed.
The program also incorporates opportunities for professional and personal growth through workshops and trainings specifically geared toward students and young professionals, such as networking, office etiquette, resume reviews, interviewing, etc. Interns are also invited to participate in staff-wide workshops and trainings, including brownbag speakers such as high-ranking government officials and corporate partners. Interns complete a learning agreement at the start, a mid-point review and end-of-term evaluation. Interns are supervised by a full-time staff member on their team, in addition to having the support of three intern coordinators and an assigned buddy.
Who Should Apply:
The Partnership strives to be an inclusive organization that fosters learning, collaboration and respect. We actively recruit for diversity in our workplace, believing that a range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences contributes to our mission of revitalizing government.
We seek extraordinary undergraduate students, graduate students and recent graduates with:
- A commitment to public service
- Strong written and oral communication
- Analytical thinking
- An ability to work well in teams
There is no single academic major or background we prefer over another—if you share our passion and are committed to developing your skills while gaining valuable experience, we want to hear from you!
Typically all internship positions are physically located in Washington, DC at the Partnership’s office, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Partnership has transitioned to remote work. We are planning for our spring 2021 internships to be remote as well. Partnership meetings and activities typically occur Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. While we can accommodate interns who work remotely in other time zones, please be advised that the majority of intern assignments will take place during these hours. Since time zones and assignments will vary by intern candidates and teams, specific needs will be discussed during the interview stage of the hiring process.
When internships are completed through remote work, the internship is subject to a “Bring Your Own Technology” policy meaning the internship requires the intern to provide and use their own personal computer capable of accessing the internet and to have access to a high-speed internet connection during the work day.
Application Deadline: Applications close on November 9, 2020 at 12:00 AM.
Apply (or request more information): Before applying, carefully read the internship position descriptions at https://ourpublicservice.org/about/public-service-internship-program/ to determine which position(s) you are best qualified for and most interested in pursuing. While each position requires a commitment to public service, the descriptions detail the skills and competencies necessary for each particular position.
You may only apply to one internship position per term but will have a chance to indicate your interest in other positions on the application form.
For full consideration, you must apply through our website. We can only consider applications received directly; we cannot consider applications submitted only through the Handshake listing.