Position Summary:

Want to be part of a team of passionate and resourceful organizers who are building Native power to advocate for Tribal Sovereignty and the environment? Does the idea of working with Native communities around Tribal Sovereignty, environmental activism and advocacy, statewide political races, and learning about elections from the inside excite you? Come join our team!

Native Vote Washington (NVW) is seeking talented individuals who believe in the power of the people to elect environmental champions to office and make a difference in local Tribal communities. Our NVW Digital Organizing Intern will work as part of a team with our Field Organizers on community outreach and volunteer recruitment. They will also support NVW and WA Conservation Action with project management, advocacy, and mobilization opportunities. This position is based in Pierce County or King County. This internship will start the week of May 27 and run through August 9, 2024 (nine weeks). This is a great part-time position for someone who is interested in building their skills around environmental activism and advocacy, state and local political races, and community outreach.

This is a hands-on internship focused on building practical organizing skills. Someone who is excited about meeting with and talking to a lot of new people will find this work extremely rewarding. Interns will have weekly supervision meetings, training, professional development and networking opportunities.

Native Vote Washington is a 100% Indigenous-led collaborative, serving Indigenous communities across the state of Washington. The Native Vote Advisory Committee provides guidance to the development and implementation of this indigenous-led political power building project in Washington and serves as the decision-making body for the project. In 2021, Washington Conservation Action became the fiscal sponsor of Native Vote and Native Vote WA Education Fund to increase the capacity of the organization to operate year-round.

Washington Conservation Action is a statewide environmental advocacy organization that advances environmental policies and pushes for actions that equitably address climate pollution, restore Puget Sound, sustain our state’s forests, and protect our democracy. For Washington to remain a national leader on environmental issues, we need environmental champions in elected office and to hold our leaders accountable. To keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant, we are committed to supporting Native candidates, candidates of color, and environmental leaders seeking election.

We are committed to a representative, socially just, and welcoming work environment– young people, people of color, people with varying abilities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are especially encouraged to apply. We continue to advance the application of a racial equity lens to our work and are led by a CEO who is a citizen of the Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs, Oregon.

Internship Hours, Timeframe, and Stipend

The NVW Digital Organizing Intern will work 15 hours per week for six weeks, typically between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, between May 27 and August 9, 2024. This will be a hybrid internship, and interns will be expected to be available for two to three in-person Saturday or Sunday shifts to support NVW’s tabling events. Examples of past events include Canoe Journey 2023: Paddle to Muckleshoot and other Tribal events, such as powwows. Occasional evening work may be required with advanced notice. The schedule is flexible and will vary weekly based on our field events and opportunities. This internship can count as course credit if approved by your institution. A $1,900 stipend and transit pass (e.g. ORCA card or c-tran pass) will be provided.

Primary Responsibilities

• Engage with digital activists by creating opportunities for virtual engagement
• Assist with planning and coordinating online and in-person events by creating graphics Support with drafting and producing content for social media
• Table at outreach events with targeted audiences and support creating interactive tabling materials
• Engage volunteers from existing member lists and implement innovative outreach techniques to grow our activist base
• Other tasks to support NVW & WCA’s Field Team

Qualifications

Previous outreach and election work is not required. Applicants should have:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work well individually and as part of a team
• Comfort with Microsoft Office applications (like Word, Excel), web searches, and email
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines
• Positive attitude and has fun while working efficiently
• Discretion and integrity to work with and maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information
• A passion for voting rights, environmental justice, or social change

Desirable Skills

• Interest in protecting the local environment and environmental justice
• Basic knowledge around how to use social media platforms
• Ability to come up with creative ideas for digital content
• Basic knowledge of Washington Tribes, Tribal Sovereignty, and Tribal issues.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in this internship, your resume, and your typical availability here. We will review applications the week of May 6 and schedule Zoom interviews for the week of May 13.

WCA is an equal opportunity employer committed to dismantling structural racism and creating a welcoming work environment. WCA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities are encouraged to apply.