Civil Service Strong Summer Intern

Position Summary:

Are you a detail-oriented and mission-driven student interested in coalition coordination, policy research, and supporting the U.S. federal workforce? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is looking for a Civil Service Strong Intern to join our team.

We are seeking a collaborative intern to support Civil Service Strong and Democracy Works 250. This position will work closely with the Civil Service Strong team to conduct policy research, assist with stakeholder outreach, support convenings, and provide administrative coordination across projects. The role is designed to provide exposure to nonprofit policy work and coalition management while helping interns develop practical professional skills in research, communications, and project coordination.

Democracy Forward’s office is based in Washington, DC. Interns are expected to be in the office an average of 2-3 days per week. The internship program is anticipated to run from May 26, 2026 - July 31, 2026.

The Civil Service Strong Intern will report to the Program & Special Projects Coordinator and work closely with all of the Civil Service Strong staff and Civil Service Strong fellows. Applications are due Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

• Civil Service Strong Coalition Operations and Event Coordination
• Support coalition engagement efforts by assisting with communications, outreach, and stakeholder coordination.
• Assist with planning and logistics for Civil Service Strong convenings and coalition meetings.
• Help maintain coalition contact lists and internal tracking tools.
• Provide technical or logistical support for events, briefings, and convenings.
• Assist with preparing materials, agendas, and follow-up communications for coalition activities.

• Democracy Works 250 Operations and Research:
• Conduct research on federal workforce policy and civil service reform efforts.
• Contribute to the development of policy proposals through background research materials and landscape analyses.
• Support research and stakeholder mapping for organizational initiatives and fellows.
• Assist with outreach and communications related to project launches or reports.
• Provide operational support to program initiatives such as the Civil Service Strong fellows.

• General Administrative Support:
• Take notes during internal and external meetings and maintain organized documentation.
• Assist with scheduling meetings and coordinating calendars when needed.
• Maintain organized folders and records for meeting notes and research materials.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions about project progress.

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

• Required:
• Currently enrolled undergraduate student at an accredited college/university.
• Interest in organizations or environments working directly or centered around the federal workforce.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to develop relationships of trust and confidence with colleagues across teams and departments.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and research skills.
• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Preferred:
  
  • Experience supporting events, student organizations, or volunteer initiatives.
  • Familiarity with the Google Workspace tools (Google Calendar, Google Mail, Google Meet, etc.) and Zoom.
  • Interest in coalition building, policy research, or government operations.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.
• This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.

The salary for this internship is $8,000 for the summer.

Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. 

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement.  If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar.  Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying. 

Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to recruiting@democracyforward.org or 833-391-4732.