Overview
Lutheran Services in America (LSA) seeks an intern to support the work of its Public Policy and Advocacy team. Lutheran Services in America is a network of 300 health and human service nonprofits, who each year collectively reach one in 50 people across 1,400 communities in the United States. We are the network’s national office dedicated to advancing innovative solutions that achieve a healthier, more equitable future for millions of people in America. Through partnerships and collaboration, Lutheran Services in America leads programs that address the policy and practice changes that are needed so that all people in America can lead their best lives. Our public policy and advocacy work creates a multiplier effect, enabling our network members to work together to build Congressional and administration support for policies and funding that improve the health and well-being of people, combat systemic racism and address inequities—so all communities can thrive.
Experience
Undergrad or graduate student. A successful intern candidate will have interest in public policy/advocacy and the health and human services sector and the ability to strengthen the work of LSA members. This internship offers the unique opportunity to work with the national office as well as with non-profit leaders across the country to advance key public policy objectives.
Opportunities
Lutheran Services in America utilizes the talents and skills of our interns to help us ensure that the collective, faith-based voice of our national network is heard on Capitol Hill. We leverage the strength of 300 health and human services organizations through advocacy on public policy issues critical to children, older adults, families, people with disabilities, veterans, refugees and others experiencing need in the United States.
We believe an internship program is most successful when we 1) integrate an intern into our work and culture, 2) provide clear projects and tasks, and 3) provide interns with the supervision they need to be successful.
Below we describe the types of activities, projects, and expectations for this internship period:
- Learn the landscape of older adults, children youth and families, health and housing, and people with disabilities
- Learn about emerging trends in healthcare, social services, and public policy
- Learn the impact that legislation, rules, and regulations would have on our network member organizations and the people for whom they care
- Learn how a national nonprofit organization operates
Potential Tasks
- Conduct research on and outreach to network members to better understand organizational infrastructure, member issue expertise, and existing relationships with federal officials.
- Overhaul and update existing member data used to create state fact sheets
- Write content for newsletters, web, other purposes
- Assist with planning and summarizing meetings
- Create surveys and analyze data
- Develop slide decks for webinars and meetings
Skills/Traits
- Strong writing skills
- Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)
- Research and analysis
- Synthesizing large amounts of information
- Creativity, problem-solving
- Ability to work on a team or independently
- Multi-tasking
Work Location and Environment
This internship will be located at the Lutheran Services in America national office, which is located in the United Methodist building on the U.S. Capitol grounds, next to the Supreme Court and across the street from the Capitol. The office is located within a few blocks of two Metro stops – Capitol South and Union Station. We operate on a hybrid schedule, working from home Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and in person in the office on Tuesday and Thursdays. Appropriate dress is business casual.
Compensation
This position will pay $20 an hour, for 20 hours per week, schedule to be decided with the successful candidate.
To Apply
Send a cover letter and resume to Sarah Dobson at SDobson@LutheranServices.org. No calls please.
