Title: Field Intern
Organization: Equality Texas Foundation/Equality Texas
Reports to:  Field Director
Location: Austin, TX
Hours and Compensation: Hours are based on selected candidate’s availability. Ideally, applicants should be able to commit to at least 10 hours a week from January – June 2025 and hold a predetermined schedule to be agreed upon during onboarding. Interns will be paid $16/hr.

Candidates MUST LIVE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS and be able to commute to our Austin office.

THE POSITION:

Equality Texas is seeking an intern to join our field and advocacy team. This individual will work closely with the Field Director to engage Equality Texans in advocacy to support our legislative priorities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

• Make calls to constituents who have expressed interest in testifying at the capitol – explain the process and help draft testimony if needed
• Provide support to Field Team on projects to increase operational efficiency
• Help plan and coordinate online and offline events like webinars and our bi-annual rally at the capitol
• Track volunteer participation in events and coordinate any follow-up (thank you notes and emails)
• Enter data into EveryAction and Casebook databases
• Provide operational and administrative support during hearing days
• Assist constituents to record their position on bills during hearing days
• Participate in tabling events when needed

CANDIDATE SKILL PROFILE/REQUIREMENTS:

Preferred Qualifications/Experience:

• Demonstrated commitment to achieving full legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people in Texas
• A strategic thinker with a focus on improving systems, coordinating efforts, using data to drive decision making, and an unwavering commitment to reaching goals
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high-performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• A proactive approach to problem solving with strong decision-making capability
• A strong work ethic
• Proficient in the use of PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
• Able to commit to the full 5-months term
• Able to build and maintain strong working relationships
• Superior customer service
• Models maturity and transparency
• Strong writing skills
• Reliable transportation with the ability to move equipment up to 40 lbs
• Prior internship or volunteer experience preferred.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn Equality Texas’s advocacy journey approach to creating change
• Understand how to apply a relational approach to volunteer management
• Learn how to empower others to engage in advocacy
• Practice customer service skills to assist community members in obtaining the help they need through referrals
• Understand the culture of a nonprofit organization.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

Equality Texas envisions a Texas where all LGBTQ+ people and their families have full equality in the hearts and minds of their fellow Texans and in all areas of the law. Headquartered in Austin, Equality Texas is dedicated to securing full legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. With tens of thousands of members across the state, Equality Texas is the state’s leading state-wide organizing and advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ Texans.

Today’s Equality Texas is comprised of two nonprofit organizations:

• Equality Texas Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides educational programming on LGBTQ+ issues and conducts campaigns to build public support for equal rights, and
• Equality Texas, a 501(c)4 organization that conducts direct lobbying and advocacy efforts to advance pro-LGBTQ+ legislation and candidates and to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Each organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors; these Boards have 33 members in total who represent a cross-section of LGBTQ community, business, and philanthropic leaders and allies.

Equality Texas values the leadership of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, and strongly encourages people of all traditionally underrepresented identities to apply.

No applicant will be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please email your resume and cover letter detailing how your experience prepares you to assume the responsibilities and expectations of the Field Intern role at Equality Texas to internships@equalitytexas.org with subject line: EQTX Field Intern.