WHO WE ARE

FWD.us is a bipartisan political organization that believes America’s families, communities, and economy thrive when more individuals are able to achieve their full potential. For too long, our broken immigration and criminal justice systems have locked too many people out of the American dream. Founded by leaders in the technology and business communities, we seek to grow and galvanize political support to break through partisan gridlock and achieve meaningful reforms. Together, we can move America forward.

Our Washington, D.C. office is seeking a talented communicator with excellent writing skills for a full-time press internship supporting both our immigration and criminal justice work. This is an opportunity to engage with different audiences, build valuable communications skills, and learn how a dynamic communications department operates in a fast-paced environment at a national, state and local level while supporting FWD.us’ larger strategic goals.

Candidates should be available to work full time M-F from 8:30am to 4:30pm EST for 4-6 months. Interns are paid $20/hr, plus benefits. This position will be expected to work on-site in the Washington, D.C office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and work remotely on Wednesdays and Fridays.

We are looking for someone to begin on May 6, 2024.

For consideration, please submit the following materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• 300-500 word writing sampler elated to criminal justice and/or immigration

Please submit your writing sample in the same document as your cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Specifically, you will:

• Perform daily media monitoring and rapid response using a variety of tools and online resources to track press coverage of relevant issues and snapshot of the national media landscape.
• Work side-by-side with team managers to research, develop, and maintain reporter contacts for the organization.
• Assist in drafting, editing and sending out immigration or CJR related communications products, including talking points, press releases, media advisories, newsletters and more.
• Assist in the execution of strategic communications operations such as organizing LTE and op-ed campaigns, compiling reporter contact information, drafting pitch language, and other tactics which help shape the national dialogue on immigration.
• Assist with the maintenance and development of the FWD.us Storytelling Program, a national network of directly impacted immigrant advocates and allies who share their stories in the media in order to drive policy change on local and national levels.
• Support the office's day-to-day communications operations.

Basic Qualifications:

• Dedication to the mission of FWD.us and sensitivity to issues of migration and criminalization of disenfranchised people.
• Must have a strong interest in political communications, new media, and/or journalism.
• Proven writing ability and strong organizational skills, with the ability to adapt to new conditions, assignments, and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Familiarity with media relations operations through a past internship, work, or classroom experience.
• Understanding of the national media landscape.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Equal Opportunity Employment/Diversity

We are an organization committed to making the world a better place for all people. Diversity is a source of our strength, and allows us to make better decisions, be more impactful, and excel at our jobs day to day. We see our internal commitment to diversity as reflective of how we view the world and the changes we want to see become reality.

This company is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applications for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination.

The organization understands that too often what are viewed as the traditional credentials are subjective criteria that exclude historically marginalized communities and act as barriers to hiring and recruiting the best candidates.

As part of FWD’s best hiring practices, we do not have educational requirements for any of our jobs. Many of our jobs do require specific interpersonal, skill-based, technical, policy or other requirements and applicants for those jobs will be evaluated based on their level of expertise, to include lived experience and work experience - which could have taken place at an educational institution or elsewhere.

FWD.us believes in fair chances and employment opportunities that benefit everyone. Ensuring that people who have had contact with the criminal justice system--including incarceration for serious offenses and substantial periods of time--have the opportunities upon their release to fully succeed and contribute to this country is central to our work and is a value to which we are absolutely committed to uphold in how we operate and who we hire. We do not conduct criminal background checks on applicants, unless required by state or federal law for specific roles.

The company makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to allow such persons to perform the essential functions of their jobs, to the extent required by law. Employees or applicants who would like to request a reasonable accommodation should contact Management. The company will also, where appropriate, provide reasonable accommodations for an employee’s sincerely-held religious beliefs or practices.

Applicants directly impacted by the criminal justice or immigration systems are strongly encouraged to apply.