Title: Government Affairs Intern
Organization: Equality Texas Foundation/Equality Texas
Reports to: Government Affairs 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 a dynamic and pro-active intern who is interested in learning the ins and outs of the Texas Legislature. The Government Affairs Intern will help our advocacy team advance our multi-faceted public policy agenda during the 2025 Texas Legislative Session. If you are interested in a future in policy, advocacy and/or government, we encourage you to apply.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Government Affairs Intern will work with the Government Affairs Director to assist the department leading up to the 89th Texas Legislative Session on tasks including, but not limited to:

• Assisting in the development and dissemination of external legislative materials to elected offices and coalition partners;
• Conducting legislative tracking and policy research to support advocacy initiatives;
• Providing support for advocacy training sessions and materials;
• Organizing and managing documentation related to legislative and advocacy activities;
• Tracking and summarizing policy developments and legislative updates;
• Facilitating office visits, and assisting staff/visitors in scheduling and execution of visits;
• Performing administrative tasks and other duties as assigned by the Government Affairs Director.

CANDIDATE SKILL PROFILE/REQUIREMENTS:

Preferred Qualifications/Experience:

• Current masters/juris doctorate candidate in a relevant study area
• At least one legislative session work experience with basic understanding of state government and the legislative process
• Demonstrated commitment to achieving full legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people in Texas
• Strategic thinking with a focus on improving systems, using data to drive decision making, and an unwavering commitment to reaching goals
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Have general knowledge of the political, policymaking or legislative process
• Be an experienced/confident/persuasive writer
• Possess solid research, writing and analytical skills
• Have a flexible spring schedule that will allow for some evening and weekend hours
• Understanding of and strong comfort level with administrative office tasks
• Strong attention to detail and prioritization skills in organizing activities, events, and one’s own work
• Ability to communicate clearly, authentically, and respectfully through verbal and written means
• Ability to thoroughly, and sometimes quickly, research policy issues and present findings to team members and other staff
• Ability to understand and maintain confidential information

Learning Objectives:

• Improve understanding of politics, policy, and government
• Increase knowledge of political strategy
• Understand power
• Develop a deeper understanding of how advocacy impacts policy making
• Strengthen knowledge of how best to develop relationships
• Learn copyediting skills through drafting blogs and press releases
• 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 Government Affairs Intern role at Equality Texas to internships@equalitytexas.org with subject line: EQTX Government Affairs Intern.