Who we are:

The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to equip leaders to work together across boundaries to build effective systems that prepare children, youth and families for postsecondary education, careers, and citizenship.

Position overview:

Reporting to the Senior Policy Manager, the Policy Intern will assist in implementing the Institute for Educational Leadership’s policy strategy. 

Major responsibilities:

• Provide support in producing policy updates, legislative alerts, research reports, stories, and advocacy toolkits for IEL’s networks of leaders, and web content including blogs
• Research, monitor, and analyze federal and state legislation aligned with IEL’s policy mission and priorities
• Support advocacy-related events
• Support policy capacity building programs
• Other duties as assigned

Deliverables:

• Monthly blog summarizing federal policy progress on IEL’s policy priorities
• Monthly federal policy update reflecting the progress on IEL’s policy priorities
• An updated policy brief on the evidence of the success of Full-Service Community Schools grant recipients
• Weekly tracking of relevant state-based policies related to IEL and the Coalition for Community School’s policy priorities
• A report summarizing recent promising Community Schools state policies and funding structures
• Advocacy plan and actions for March for Children and Youth Month (March 2024)

Competencies developed:

• Experience in policy research and analysis, translation of ideas into policy recommendations, effective advocacy practices and more
• Experience working in an established national nonprofit in a collaborative culture
• Content knowledge in the areas of education, workforce development, and leadership development

Qualifications and experience:

• Background in policy and advocacy
• Rising graduate student, or current graduate or doctoral student preferred
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Outstanding research skills, including literature reviews and data gathering, policy analysis, and writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and can-do attitude
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and problem-solve
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of Quorum platform a plus

Traits valued highly in a teammate include:

• Collaborative work style and ability to function well in a diverse environment
• Passionate about issues of racial and social justice and IEL’s vision, mission, and values of equity, inclusion, collaboration, and impact
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence and high-quality work
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage a variety of key initiatives concurrently
• Understanding of the importance of work/life balance

Work requirements:

This position is remote with the option to use IEL office space pending approval.

Hours and compensation:

This is a part-time, 20 hours per week internship, with the start and end dates and the weekly schedule flexible. Interns receiving college credit for the internship are paid a daily stipend of $25/day (if permissible by the college course requirements). Interns who are not receiving college credit will receive $17/hour. Interns will not be paid for holidays or closures and will not receive any of the employee benefits that regular IEL employees receive, including but not limited to health insurance, vacation or sick pay, paid holidays, or participation in IEL’s 401(k) plan.

To apply:

Please send an email with “Policy Intern” as the subject line to blackburnm@iel.org. Include a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample. We are seeking an applicant who can begin on or around November 13th, 2023, for 15 weeks. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on October 13th, 2023.

IEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status or disabled veterans’ status. IEL is implementing a diversity and supported inclusion strategy and is actively and intentionally encouraging applicants of color, of diverse backgrounds, and with disabilities to apply.