Terms

Type: Internship

Reports to: Communications Director and Communications Manager

Term: Summer 2018 (Internships are provided on a Quarterly and Semester basis depending on the interns’ academic calendar.)

Hours: 8-40 hours per week.

Closing date of this position: April 10, 2018

Organizational Background

Equality California (EQCA) is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) civil rights organization with over 800,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. Through its legislative work, EQCA has successfully sponsored 127 pieces of pro-equality legislation cementing California as the state with strongest LGBTQ-civil rights protections in the country.

Equality California Institute (EQCAI) is a 501(c)3 organization that has a parallel mission statement to EQCA, its 501(c)4 counterpart. EQCAI educates the broader community on important LGBTQ issues such as transgender equality, violence and hate crimes, healthcare, health disparities, the needs of LGBTQ seniors and youth, homelessness and immigration. Over the last five years, EQCAI has spearheaded successful programs to tackle these issues, including multiple public education campaigns, such as Transform California, Equality4All, #Take It, I’m PrEPed, Let California Ring, Fair Share for Equality, the Breakthrough Conversations Project, and Health Happens with Equality.

Equality California Political Action Committees advocate for candidates who support full equality and social justice for LGBTQ Californians, as well as for issues and initiatives that further these priorities. We oppose candidates and issues that hinder progress toward full LGBTQ equality and social justice.

Position Overview

The Communications Intern will support the overall communications strategy and program for Equality California, Equality California Institute and the Equality California Political Action Committees. Reporting to the Communications Director and the Communications Manager, the Communications Intern will work collaboratively to execute EQCA’s communications campaigns, with a focus on the following responsibilities:

• Supports the execution of media and public relations strategies, including drafting press releases and other media materials, pitching stories and key events and drafting talking points and op-eds.
• Supports all digital content creation for the organization, including drafting social media posts, updating EQCA’s blog and website, drafting email marketing content, etc.
• Supports communication programs to support Equality California’s development and fundraising activities, including the development of web and social media support, and fundraising event collateral.
• Helps drive the digital storytelling narrative of EQCA/I’s broad programs by monitoring social media channels and identifying compelling messengers.
• Supports email strategies for EQCAI/I, including drafting copy, coding and tracking metrics for communications with campaign email lists.

Qualifications

Applicants for this position should bring the following knowledge, abilities, and attitude:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on writing for traditional and digital media campaigns.
• Prior experience and/or coursework in communications, media relations and/or digital campaigns.
• Experience working and/or studying in a multicultural environment and with diverse communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to LGBTQ civil rights, diversity, social justice, and social change.
• Interest and/or experience in electoral politics, the legislative process and/or advocacy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with people inside and outside the organization.
• Strong administrative skills, including the ability to work independently, prioritize work and remain flexible on multiple, high-paced campaigns
• Ability and interest to work with a wide range of organizations and institutions including other LGBTQ groups, schools, unions, religious congregations and other social justice and advocacy organizations.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to seek out opportunities for growth.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred, but not required.
• Candidates should be in the process of completing or have recently completed a bachelor’s or graduate degree in communications or related areas such as journalism, political science, etc.
• Ability to be a team player and work in a highly collaborative environment.

Equality California is an equal employment opportunity employer. Equality California does not make employment decisions or discriminate based on protected characteristics including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental handicaps, veteran status, or genetic information as prescribed by applicable local, state, and federal law. We strongly encourage diverse candidates to apply, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and non-LGBTQ allies.

Application Instructions

Please email: a resume, cover letter & any references to Brad Lundahl at brad@eqca.org.

Please title subject heading of email: EQCA Communications Internship – [Your Name]