Employment and Internships

Position: Government Affairs Assistant
Organization: HF Consulting, LLC in Richmond
Contact: recruiting@hf-consulting.net or FAX: 804. 644.0957

Classification:  Full time (start asap)
 
Pay Range:  Commensurate with experience
 
Description of Job Duties:  This entry level position provides administrative, research, writing and other
types of professional support to senior government relations staff.  This position may also have the
responsibility of managing smaller government relations accounts.  Duties include, but are not limited to,
the following:

    * Providing client service support to senior staff: scheduling, planning and attending meetings;

    * Performing client related research; marketing; assisting senior staff with lobbying; maintaining legislative fundraiser database.

    * Performing routine office support tasks as required by the senior staff, which can include filling out expense reports; filing time sheets; drafting and editing documents and reports; copying and scanning documents; scheduling events.  

    * Preparing weekly/monthly reports for clients; designing and maintaining grassroots databases; organizing and designing presentations.

    * Providing staff support during the General Assembly session: attending committee meetings; tracking bills; organizing lobby days; developing fact sheets.

    * Attending and monitoring legislative meeting calendar and regulatory town hall on a year round basis; reporting on any issues affecting clients; delivering oral and/or written reports on such meetings.

    * Providing project specific research support, which could include a variety of topics, ranging from current client issues to potential client research; data and policy analysis.

 
Knowledge and Skills:  Policy analysis skills, familiarity with the Virginia legislative process, and excellent
research skills are desired.  A government affairs assistant must also possess excellent organizational and
writing skills; skills with word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.  More importantly,
candidates must be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, be comfortable in a high energy
environment, communicate effectively, have initiative and be able to work independently.  Education and
work experience in a business or government setting is strongly encouraged; college degree required.
Previous experience with the Virginia General Assembly is a must.  
 
Special Qualifications:  Applicants should be able to work extended hours January through March.  
 
Applications: Qualified applicants should email or fax a cover letter and resume to:
 
recruiting@hf-consulting.net or FAX: 804. 644.0957
 
A short writing sample will be requested at the time of an interview. 

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Nondiscrimination Statement
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan. The organization does not participate in campaigns on behalf of issues, causes, or candidates for office, nor does it discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or veteran status. This Employment and Internship Opportunities post is provided as a service to our alumni and friends.

Position: Government Affairs Associate
Organization: Advantus Strategies, LLC
Contact: Chelsea Rock, 804-228-4512, CRock@advantusstrategies.com

Description of Duties:  This entry-level position provides research, writing and other types of professional support to senior government affairs staff.  A person in this position may also have responsibility for managing one or more small government affairs accounts. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

•    Provide client service and support for senior staff. This includes originating and distributing client and inter-office communications; scheduling, planning, and attending meetings, including assembling agendas and other important documents; performing research; assisting senior staff with lobbying efforts; and other duties as needed.

•    Attend and monitor legislative and regulatory meetings year-round to identify and report on any issues or activities that might impact various clients. Deliver oral and written reports for same.

•    Provide staff support, client service, committee monitoring, bill tracking, and issue advocacy during the General Assembly session.

•    Provide ad hoc, project-specific research support which could include a variety of activities ranging from meeting attendance, creating collateral materials, data and policy analysis, and preparing and delivering reports.

•    Prepare weekly/monthly written reports for clients, designing and maintaining databases, and developing presentations.

•    Perform routine office support tasks as required which can include drafting and editing documents, distributing mail, scheduling meetings and events, and copying and scanning documents.

Knowledge and Skills:  Knowledge of policy analysis, legislative practices, research techniques, government activities and web-based research is desired. A Government Affairs Associate must also possess reasonable organizational skills; knowledge of business writing and drafting for executive level correspondence; skills with computer word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software; the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously; and be able to communicate effectively and work independently.  Related college level coursework with work experience in a business or government setting is strongly desired. Previous experience with the Virginia General Assembly a plus.

Special Qualification: Applicants should be able to work extended hours January through March.

This job description may be modified any time at the discretion of the Company.

Classification: Full time

Pay Range: Commensurate with experience
 
Qualified applicants should e-mail, fax or mail a cover letter, résumé, list of references and a brief writing sample by July 4, 2008 to Ron Jordan, COO, at:

1011 E Main St., Ste. 400
Richmond VA 23219
FAX: (804) 228-4501 MGauchenot@advantusstrategies.com 

Questions? Contact Chelsea Rock, Government Affairs Associate, 804-228-4512, CRock@advantusstrategies.com

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Nondiscrimination Statement
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan. The organization does not participate in campaigns on behalf of issues, causes, or candidates for office, nor does it discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or veteran status. This Employment and Internship Opportunities post is provided as a service to our alumni and friends.

Position: Executive Director
Organization: Virginia21
Contact: Kelly Porell at kporell@virginia21.org

Overview

What is Virginia21?
Virginia21 is an action-tank involving young people across the Commonwealth in the political process by providing information, directing advocacy and coordinating political action on a non-partisan issue agenda. With 45 campus chapters and over 45,000 members, Virginia21 is the Commonwealth’s and the country’s first true generational advocate for young people: the AARP of the next generation. Virginia21 maintains a student leadership committee comprised of student body presidents and campus coordinators at every four-year and two-year public college in the state.  The SLC provides policy guidance and connection to our campus chapters.  Our Board of Directors includes prominent business and community leaders who provide support as well as political guidance. Virginia21’s full-time professional staff maintains the day-to-day political, communications and fundraising operations of the organization.

Why Virginia21?
We want to turn good ideas into good policy – to build a Commonwealth that we will be proud to call our home.  Virginia21 is different from other groups because we know the issues matter.  We aren’t particularly interested in ‘rocking the vote’ or ‘declaring ourselves,’ and we don’t know many young voters who are.  We care about issues like education, economic development and good government – issues that affect our lives every day.  So we tell 18-30 year olds about these issues and why they matter. We give them the facts, show them how to impact the process, and point them in the right direction.  A voter that’s informed about the issues and voting because they have a stake in those issues has become more than just a voter – they’re an active citizen.

We’re looking for a few good ideas, and we don’t really care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat or neither.  We want to turn good ideas into good policy – to build a Virginia that we will be proud to call our home.  Amidst all the controversy associated with politics and governing, Virginia21 is here to make sure that the young voter is heard at our state capitol.  We’re here to represent our generation because decisions are made by the people who show up.

Political power rests not in the ability of one organization to give out lots of money, but on the ballots of an active group of informed voters.  Virginia21 rests its activism on the shoulders of the students at Virginia public colleges and universities, their parents, family, and friends.  Virginia21’s technology-based grassroots activism techniques are tailored for our members, who are just as at home with a laptop as they are with a phone.
18-24 year olds are a truly bipartisan generation, with the vast majority identifying as moderate, independent voters.  Virginia21 is non-partisan, but not non-political.  Activism without an agenda may involve a young person for one election cycle, but a directed, issue-oriented agenda will keep participants engaged for the long-term.  Thus, the Virginia21 voter is a consistent and dependable force when voting in their home district for candidates that support mainstream issues and core services.

When is this position available?
Virginia21 currently seeks its next Executive Director.  The position opens May 2008, and the expectation is that a successful applicant will serve as Associate Director of Virginia21 through a ten-month training and transition period, assuming the Executive Director position in April 2009.  Those with interests in education, economic development and good government policy are encouraged to apply.

What’s involved?
The Executive Director of Virginia21 is a big job, so we’re looking to train a very talented individual to lead our organization in its next phase of development.  While supported by a staff of 2-3 individuals, the Executive Director is ultimately responsible for pressing forward on big-picture, long-term goals while also running the day-to-day operations of a small non-profit organization.

Management.  The Executive Director of this 501(c)4 organization must be prepared to assume the role of CEO, CFO, HR Director and Office Manager.  He or she is responsible for all legal, financial, human resources and procurement needs, and is the chief liaison to the Chairman and Board of Directors.

Development.  The Executive Director serves as chief fundraiser for the organization, responsible for securing the annual budget.  As grassroots membership continues to expand, the Director must seek out new and diverse methods of non-profit fundraising, including individual and corporate giving as well as grant support, to meet the organization’s development needs. 

Communications.  Virginia21 currently employs a Creative Director to lead the online technology and graphic design aspect of our communications, but the Executive Director is responsible for message development and press relations.  The ED writes press releases, coordinates public relations events, and serves as an “on the record” spokesperson for our 45,000 members.

Legislative.  Virginia21’s legislative agenda is driven by our Student Leadership Committee, but it is the Executive Director’s responsibility to conduct extensive research on higher education, economic development and good government issues.  The ED functions as VA21’s chief lobbyist, and is therefore expected to develop relationships throughout the Virginia state government community. 

Electoral Strategy.  Virginia21 works with a sister organization, the 527 Political Action Committee led by students called Virginia21PAC.  Guided by Virginia21’s legislative priorities, the Executive Director works closely with candidates, campaigns, and other sources of information to identify candidates worthy of Virginia21PAC’s support.

Event Planning.  The Executive Director leads all campus, regional and statewide events.  These include fundraisers, legislative receptions, candidate forums, campus chapter meetings and more, and responsibilities range from introducing a keynote speaker to licking invitation stamps!

Qualifications
Successful applicants will be highly motivated, hardworking and independent, demonstrating strong writing skills, computer proficiency and an understanding of the political process.  Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to work long hours on a small staff with demanding deadlines… it sounds like a lot of work, but we also have a lot of fun!  Political or student/grassroots experience required; non-profit or organizational leadership a plus. Position is based in Richmond, Virginia. 

Applications

Inquire with questions or application via email to kporell@virginia21.org, subject line “Executive Director Application.”  Please include resume, cover letter and writing sample.

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Nondiscrimination Statement
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan. The organization does not participate in campaigns on behalf of issues, causes, or candidates for office, nor does it discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or veteran status. This Employment and Internship Opportunities post is provided as a service to our alumni and friends.

Position: Outreach Education Manager and We the People Virginia State Coordinator
Organization: Montpelier
Contact: center4constitution@montpelier.org

Summary
The Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier in Orange County, VA, is seeking applications for the full-time position of “Outreach Education Manager and We the People Virginia State Coordinator.”  The Center for the Constitution provides instruction in constitutional studies for civic educators and other stewards of the Constitution. This position will serve as the Virginia state coordinator for We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution, a national civic education program for students and educators, and will conduct other outreach and educational programs for the Center. 

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, directing and teaching professional development seminars including budgeting, staffing, and marketing, organizing student competitions, attending conferences, developing seminars related to the mission of the Center for the Constitution and assisting with other Center events as needed.
 
Qualifications

Professional experience in teaching or education administration desirable, but not required. A Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s or other advanced degree preferred. Frequent travel within Virginia and periodic travel to other parts of the country are required. This position also requires some evening and weekend work.

Compensation

This is a full-time exempt position with benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. 

Applications

Send resume and cover letter to Center4Constitution@montpelier.org (preferred, use subject line “Outreach Application”) or to Center for the Constitution, Outreach Application, James Madison’s Montpelier, PO Box 911, Orange, VA 22960. The application deadline is April 14, 2008.
 

Center for the Constitution
James Madison’s Montpelier
P.O. Box 911
Orange, VA  22960
center4constitution@montpelier.org

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Nondiscrimination Statement
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan. The organization does not participate in campaigns on behalf of issues, causes, or candidates for office, nor does it discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or veteran status. This Employment and Internship Opportunities post is provided as a service to our alumni and friends.

Position: Paid Internship, Advocacy/Government Relations
Organization: American Heart Association, Richmond
Contact: Cathleen Grzesiek

You are guaranteed to be challenged and have opportunities to apply your knowledge and build your resume in the process.

The AHA will offer paid internships for individuals interested in gaining work experience with a non-profit, voluntary health organization. Individuals will obtain practical experience and receive hands-on training in various disciplines.

The Advocacy/Government Relations intern will gain experience and work on projects relating to:
•    Policy research and analysis
•    Grassroots outreach and mobilization
•    Coalition building
•    Community organizing

Internship Opportunities
Individuals participating in the internship program are provided with an opportunity to:
•    Gain important and practical job skills to be successful in a non-profit, community-based environment;
•    Choose a career-path and make a commitment with a reputable voluntary health/service organization;
•    Obtain valuable work experience and college credit (if applicable); and
•    Establish relationships with various public and private corporate officers and dignitaries.

Focus of the Internship
The intern should have an interest in public policy, political science, government relations, advocacy or a related field.   Interns will commit to:

•    Serve the duration of the internship (AHA has the right to terminate the internship if the individual is not meeting the needs of the opportunity);
•    Abide by the rules and regulations of the AHA and the person supervising the internship opportunity;
•    Prepare a final report on what was learned during the internship;
•    Arrange for course credits with their college or university (if applicable).

Internship Prerequisite
Applicants must be a full-time or part-time student (undergraduate or graduate level) at an accredited college or university;
Have at least 9 hours of college credits;
Maintain a grade point average of 'C' or better; and,
Have course-work or knowledge related to work area.

If the intern is seeking academic credit from his/her college or university, there may be additional evaluation forms to be submitted. It is the student's responsibility to manage his/her university requirements.

Interns will be selected based upon their completed application, interview, background check and references. All interns must undergo a background check prior to the start of the internship.

Duration of Internship
In general internships will be no more than 480 hours (12 weeks) in duration during summer 2008. Internships are flexible and can involve anywhere between 10 to 37.5 hours per week. The number of hours will be determined by the intern and the reporting supervisor.

Internship Stipend
The stipend of the internship may vary depending on the department the intern will work.

Click here for more information and to apply online. Candidates must apply online at americanheart.org in the careers section as the AHA's recruitment process does not include the utilization of faxed or hard copy resumes.

The American Heart Association is a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free workplace. EOE M/F/V/D 'We Value Diversity'
 

Contact: Cathleen Grzesiek at Cathleen.Grzesiek@heart.org

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Nondiscrimination Statement
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan. The organization does not participate in campaigns on behalf of issues, causes, or candidates for office, nor does it discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or veteran status. This Employment and Internship Opportunities post is provided as a service to our alumni and friends.