WHO WE ARE

FWD.us is a policy organization working to advance better and more politically resilient solutions on criminal justice and immigration. For too long, our harmful criminal justice and immigration systems have held us back and been weaponized in ways that undermine our nation’s promise and democratic ideals. For over a decade, FWD.us has advanced criminal justice and immigration reforms that expanded freedom and opportunities to tens of millions of people in the United States. Working with partners in red, blue, and purple jurisdictions, we have secured legislative and judicial victories and executive actions despite often-challenging political conditions.

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.

Applicants should be available to work full time Monday - Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm EST beginning on or around June 1, and work through the summer. Interns are paid $21/hr, plus benefits. This position will be expected to work on-site in the Washington, D.C office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with potential to work remotely on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Application Deadline: Please submit by April 25th.

For consideration, please submit the following materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Submit a written exercise in response to the following:
• Why are you interested in advocacy communications? (200-300 words)

Note: Please use people-first language in the assignment. See this guide for more information.

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

RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.
• Support FWD staff in monitoring our social media accounts and executing strategies to help grow our audience and engagement across FWD.us social media accounts
• Work side-by-side with team managers to research, develop, and maintain reporter contacts for the organization.
• Assist in sending out immigration or criminal justice reform 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.
• Support the office's day-to-day communications operations.
• Other tasks as assigned

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Dedication to the mission of FWD.us and interest in immigration and criminal justice reform
• 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 communication 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 organization 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 organization 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 organization 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.