Policy Intern

Date:

Job Title: Policy Intern
CEN Status: Part Time (Paid)
Reports To: Director of Policy & Advocacy
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Term: One semester

Summary: Our policy team produces insightful, data-driven research to develop impactful materials to help educate policymakers, industry leaders, government officials, and the public on conservative approaches to building a new clean energy economy. Working closely with the national policy director, the policy intern will be tasked with researching emerging energy industry issues and producing policy papers, op-eds, PowerPoint presentations, talking points, social media content, and educational materials to impact these audiences. The opportunity may arise for interns to attend industry conferences to further their knowledge, participate in stakeholder meetings to discuss policy positions, and interact with policymakers and officials to communicate CEN findings and positions. The CEN policy shop is small. We value creativity and initiative to drive results and generate policy impact. Success in this role will require an individual that is highly creative, self-motivating, collaborative, and a team player willing to help where he or she is needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The following are essential functions of the position. Other duties may be assigned. 

  1. Conduct long and short-term research projects and writing assignments on a variety of energy policy topics.
  2. Draft and edit policy op-eds, blog posts, memos, reports, presentations, and social media posts.
  3. Collect links to relevant news articles, policy briefs, and research to share with CEN staff for posting to social media.
  4. Coordinate with communications team to develop policy talking points and contribute to monthly newsletters.
  5. Assist in policy and regulatory monitoring in key states and serve as liaison between state members and CEN Director of Policy & Advocacy on relevant CEN policy projects.
  6. Participate in internal and external conference calls and webinars to observe and better understand the organization’s work.
  7. Assist with special events and projects.
  8. Intern may have opportunity to attend conferences and legislative hearings as appropriate.
  9. Assist Director of Policy & Advocacy in day-to-day functions.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Ability to write effectively. Ability to make effective presentations to internal staff and external partners.

Mathematical Ability:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret graphs.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to effectively solve complex problems in a variety of situations and by deadline. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Education/Experience:
Currently enrolled in or recently completed a bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from four-year college or university in political science, economics, public policy, environmental studies, or another relevant field.

Specialized Training: 

  • Prior internship experience working for, or interested in gaining experience working with, issue advocacy nonprofits, think tanks, public affairs firms, political campaigns, or government is a plus
  • Experience working with energy issues (including coursework) a plus, but not required

Knowledge, Skills and Other Abilities: 

  • An interest in energy policy and possession of policy beliefs that align with CEN’s mission
  • Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
  • Experience analyzing data and distilling complicated issues into presentations, blog posts, policy memos, and other collateral for different target audiences
  • A desire to learn from seasoned professionals and the confidence to interject their own ideas and opinions into the policy process
  • Outstanding time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage and meet challenging deadlines and balance multiple priorities at once
  • A collaborative nature, the ability to work well with others and to thrive in different settings involving personal interaction
  • Adept problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt, embrace change, and continue to deliver high quality work product
  • An entrepreneurial spirit, interest in learning new skills, and eagerness to implement innovative and impactful policy and research messaging to advance CEN and its members’ collective mission

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 5-to-20-pound boxes for events, as needed.

Work Environment:

  • Fast-paced, dynamic work environment sometimes faced with high-pressure deadlines
  • A supportive and collegial team that encourages creativity and initiative, and a mentorship throughout the internship program
  • Plenty of opportunities to grow and expand your skillset
  • While CEN headquarters is based in Lansing, Michigan, members of the team work remotely from various parts of the country. CEN welcomes applicants regardless of location and may accommodate tele-commuting.
  • Role may require ability to work some evenings and/or weekends for special events
  • Role may include the opportunity to travel, including overnight travel, for conferences and events

Apply Here