Jobs at Children Now Summer 2008 Internship Opportunities Posted: March 12, 2008 Children Now is a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization working to raise children's well-being to the top of the national policy agenda. The organization focuses on ensuring quality health care, a solid education and a positive media environment for all children. Children Now's strategic approach creates awareness of children's needs, develops effective policy solutions and engages those who can make change happen. Children Now is a national organization for people who care about children and want to ensure that they are the top public policy priority. We promote children’s access to a great education, quality health care, and positive media. Learn more by visiting www.childrennow.org. Summer interns work for 20-40 hours per week and are assigned one or two projects to complete during a 10-12 week period. Summer interns generally work between 20-40 hours per week. Interns work closely with staff, but manage their projects independently, exercising good judgment, problem-solving skills, and superlative time management. Successful interns have some work experience, are interested in policies and programs affecting children, and are resourceful, efficient, and reliable. Internships are unpaid. Available Projects An internship with Children Now affords the opportunity to work with staff on one of the following projects: Oakland Office Research and Policy Intern – Children & the Media: Intern will have the opportunity to work on research, policy and advocacy initiatives dealing with various children’s media issues, including educational media, interactive media technology and the role of media on childhood obesity. This is an ideal opportunity for someone interested in learning about federal-level media policy and advocacy on cutting-edge issues such as digital television and interactive advertising. Duties include: reviewing/editing an upcoming report on children’s educational television programming; coordinating logistics for a national conference on the future of educational media; and researching and summarizing scholarly articles on a range of topics related to children and the media. Research Intern – Investing in Children: Intern will make a substantive contribution to multiple data-oriented publications and products. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in learning more about research and policy analysis in health, education, and family well-being. Tasks include updating online data tools, assisting with report releases, and conducting research for use in the California Report Card. Requires extensive use of online data tools and Microsoft Excel. Knowledge of California health and education policies and programs will be helpful, as will experience with Census, California Health Interview Survey, and California Department of Education data tools. Policy Intern – Children’s Health: Intern will make a significant contribution to our efforts to insure all children in California have access to health care, by focusing primarily on our participation in the 100% Campaign, a coalition of children’s advocacy groups committed to insuring all children in California (www.100percentcampaign.org). If interested, the intern would assume other projects to improve children’s health, including – potentially – oral health issues, school health center accessibility, and obesity education. Tasks include researching policy and budget proposals, drafting fact sheets, and preparing for meetings and events in a fast-moving advocacy environment. This internship offers the opportunity to participate in meetings and/or legislative hearings in Sacramento on children’s health. An intern would be expected to assume leadership of some tasks, which may include researching and creating a “quote log” to assure policymaker accountability, website maintenance to ensure up-to-date content, other research as needed, advocacy event-planning, administrative tasks, and outreach to develop and maintain relationships with families. Excellent research and distillation skills (i.e. converting a body of research into a compelling pithy advocacy piece) are required. Substantive knowledge about Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, oral health, obesity, or other children’s health issues is helpful. Sacramento Office Administrative Intern – California Policy: Intern will contribute to the efficiency of the Sacramento office by providing a variety of administrative and policy-oriented supports to staff. This is an excellent opportunity for an undergraduate interested in learning about the daily work of an advocacy/policy non-profit. Tasks include assisting staff with general administrative work, preparing legislative briefing binders, organizing meetings, recording minutes, attending legislative hearings, attending policy discussions. Basic computer skills (advanced Word, Excel and Outlook capabilities a plus), ability to take notes with accuracy and clarity, ability to organize information logically, willingness to assist in any and all daily tasks necessary to keep the organization functioning effectively are required. This intern – while primarily an administrative assistant – will work in close proximity to both the Education and Health teams. She or he will gain invaluable knowledge and exposure to advocacy while working alongside leading statewide policy-making teams. This placement – though primarily administrative – will work closely with the Education and Health teams Desired Skills and Experience Enrolled in undergraduate or graduate program in Public Health, Education, Public Policy/Administration, or related field. Interest in and familiarity with policies affecting children and their families, particularly in health, education, and/or media. Strong analytic, research and writing skills. Demonstrated organizational and time-management skills, preferably developed in an office. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team. To Apply Please submit a resume, cover letter, and 1-2 page writing sample (excerpts are fine) in Microsoft Word. Please include your name in the file name for all documents (e.g. g.smith – resume). In addition to outlining applicant’s qualifications, cover letters should clearly indicate the following: Preferred placement – from list of four placements above, applicants may indicate interest in multiple placements Preferred dates – please allow 10-12 weeks Hours per week available – at least 20 hours per week Resumes should include the name, title, and contact information for at least two references. Submission address: Children Now Intern Search 1212 Broadway, 5th Floor Oakland, CA 94619 jobs@childrennow.org Fax: 510-763-1974