Advocacy & Public Policy Intern

The American Lung Association has an excellent opportunity for an Advocacy & Public Policy InterninChicago, IL.Alongside members of the Advocacy & Public Policy team, you will join an outstanding group of professionals dedicated to our mission: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy.

The intern will assist the American Lung Association in Illinois staff to execute Advocacy activities to gain experience in the field of lung public health policy at the state and local levels.

This is an unpaid internship position requiring a minimum time commitment of 10 hours per week (flexible schedule) and must be eligible for course credit. This position is for Spring 2024 and must be completed by May 31, 2023.

PROJECTS

This is a great opportunity for the intern to enhance their skills in organization, multi-tasking, and communications. The intern can expect to develop confidence and marketable skills by engaging in or assisting with many of the following activities:

Gain a basic understanding of the American Lung Association

• Become knowledgeable of mission, development, and communications efforts.
• Gain technical training by utilizing Microsoft Office applications and Canva.
• Participate in staff meetings and learning opportunities.

Advocacy

• Research and summarize public health facts and figures.
• Assist in analyzing commercial tobacco control, air quality, and healthcare access policies in the areas of protecting indoor and outdoor air quality, tobacco control funding, and lung disease prevention and treatment.
• Assist with identifying, scheduling, and conducting outreach to legislators, legislative staff and other decision-makers throughout the state of Illinois.
• Assist with the development of presentations on lung health policy topics to various community groups.
• Assemble health education materials for presentations and tabling events.
• Identify and recruit residents of local communities to participate in advocacy activities.
• Assist with data collection for legislative fact sheets, email alerts, letters-to-the-editor and social media messaging.
• Track state legislation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Gain a basic understanding of state government platforms, including ilga.gov.
• Learn more about Non-Profit structure, including mission, development, and communications efforts.
• Gain technical training by utilizing Microsoft Office applications and Canva.
• Learn about team building and collaborating with staff.
• Learn how to develop communications for or advocates, legislators, legislative staff and other policymakers.
• Learn to cultivate relationships.
• Learn how to communicate in a professional office setting.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be working towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Non-Profit Management, Public Health, or a related field
• Must be eligible to receive college credit for the internship
• Qualified candidates must be enthusiastic, reliable, and interested in developing a career in public health advocacy or non-profit management
• Qualified candidates should possess strong writing skills, attention to detail, and have a keen interest in the mission of the American Lung Association
• Ability to multitask, perform in a team environment, and a demonstrated willingness to learn
• Ability to work independently
• Computer Proficiency – Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher
• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs. (supplies)
• Consistent with its mission, the American Lung Association maintains a smoke-free workplace; all interns and volunteers must abstain from tobacco use in any form, including vaping.

Required Documentation:

Before the unpaid internship begins, documentation from an accredited college or university will be required stating that this internship opportunity is eligible for academic credit.

The American Lung Association is dedicated to a diverse workforce. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V