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Strategic Engagement Intern

Issue One
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Strategic Engagement Intern

Semester: Spring (January-May 2026)

Status: Part-time Temporary (20-25 hours per week)
Reports to: Strategic Engagement Manager 

Stipend: $18.00 per hour 

Location: Washington, DC or Remote

PLEASE APPLY HERE: https://issueonereform.bamboohr.com/careers/98

ORGANIZATION

Issue One is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that unites Republicans, Democrats, and independents to win game-changing federal reforms to fix our broken political system and create an inclusive democracy that works for everyone. Issue One educates the public and Congress to pass legislation to increase transparency, strengthen government ethics and accountability, reduce the influence of big money in politics, protect the freedom to vote, and strengthen U.S. elections.

POSITION

The advocacy team at Issue One is made up of three interconnected teams: the strategic engagement team, which builds bipartisan coalitions and advances campaigns like Check the Exec; the legislative team, which develops and executes advocacy strategies on Capitol Hill; and the policy team, which sets forth the organization’s strategic agenda, partnering with key thought leaders across the country to advance pro-democracy reforms. 

The strategic engagement team designs and delivers multi-pronged advocacy strategies at the national and state levels. As mobilization and campaign experts, the team focuses on building influence in many ways which include—leveraging public pressure, partner relationships, and issue-based storytelling to build bipartisan support for reform.

Issue One seeks a spring strategic engagement intern interested in learning about campaign strategy and advocacy. The intern will support Issue One’s election protection strategy, Faces of Democracy council, and Check the Exec campaign, among other responsibilities. 

Interns are integral members of Issue One and will gain hands-on experience in campaign strategy and research. Since Issue One also works closely with other reform organizations, interns will also gain a comprehensive perspective on nationwide work toward democracy reform.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Draft research briefs and memos on democracy, technology reform, election protection, and related policy issues
  • Support Check the Exec, Issue One’s bipartisan campaign to defend democracy by strengthening constitutional checks and balances against executive overreach; tasks may include monitoring political developments, drafting briefs, supporting campaign rollouts, and engaging with validators and partners
  • Track and monitor relevant political, media, and policy news
  • Assist with campaign strategy, including webinars and public events, and provide administrative support to the strategic engagement team
  • Collaborate with staff to prepare for and sit in on meetings with Issue One Councils (e.g., ReFormers Caucus, Faces of Democracy, Council for Responsible Social Media)
  • Provide general support across the strategic engagement team’s democracy defense portfolio, with opportunities to work on election protection, money in politics, technology reform, and other constitutional defense initiatives

REQUIREMENTS

  • A “yes mentality”: proactive, flexible, and solution-oriented
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work across the political spectrum with respect and openness
  • Creative thinker with the ability to adapt to evolving priorities
  • Strong research and analytical skills
  • Collaborative and eager to work in a team environment
  • Quick learner who is comfortable in a fast-paced setting

LOCATION

This will be a part-time internship of 20-25 hours per week. Interns can work remotely or join us on-site for a hybrid schedule, including being in our Washington, DC office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If remote, they must reside in a state where Issue One is formally established. These states include California, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Remote opportunities outside of these states are not available.

We anticipate this being a roughly 18-week internship, starting on or about Monday, Jan. 12, and ending on or about Friday, May 22.

SALARY & BENEFITS

This intern will be expected to work between 20-25 hours per week and be compensated at $18.00 per hour. 

Intern Selection Timeline

  • Oct. 10-24: Position is posted, and resumes are collected 
  • Oct. 24-Nov 1: Resumes are screened and interviews are scheduled.
  • Nov. 1-14: Interviews are conducted; candidate is selected and internship is offered  

Special Note: While Issue One will do its best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organization will do its best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after Oct. 24, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do at Issue One. We celebrate each individual's unique perspectives and experiences with our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to voluntarily complete our self-identification questionnaire when submitting their resume. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and have no impact on your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities for success.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply by clicking here. Please include how you heard about the position.

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Company is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.