Statewide Initiatives Intern

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU of Florida) seeks a Statewide Initiatives Intern to support the Director of Statewide Initiatives’ work with Chapters and Police Reform.

The position is remote and will report to the Director of Statewide Initiatives. This is a temporary part-time position, with a duration of 8-12 weeks.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a national public interest organization devoted to the defense of the Bill of Rights. For over 100 years, the ACLU has served as the nation’s primary protector of the liberties that define our democracy. The organization implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU of Florida. Operating out of six offices—Miami (main), Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Pensacola—the Florida affiliate has a budget of over $8 million and 55 staff members, placing it among the larger ACLU affiliates in the nation.

The ACLU of Florida, the state’s largest civil rights and civil liberties organization, employs litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional values and individual rights, such as freedom of speech, racial justice, right to privacy, religious liberty, criminal justice reform, voting rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, and immigrants’ rights. The ACLU of Florida litigates a broad range of complex constitutional cases in federal and state courts through direct representation, filing amicus briefs, and submitting administrative complaints to state and federal agencies.

POLICY APPROACH

The ACLU of Florida has adopted a “campaign” approach for its work. Work is focused on pursuing specific integrated advocacy campaigns to achieve measurable goals that will expand civil liberties and civil rights, while building the long-term power of the ACLU and the civil liberties movement. For the foreseeable future, the ACLU of Florida will focus on three campaigns: voting rights, criminal justice reform, and immigrants’ rights. The campaigns in which the organization engages are about integrated advocacy, and include strategies across several disciplines including lobbying, communications, litigation, and grassroots organizing.

Internship Overview

Interns will have the opportunity to support the Executive Department in researching and analyzing material on police policies and practices and assist with campaigns. There will be opportunities to attend and participate in meetings and conversations within the ACLU of Florida and broader ACLU work.

• Time Commitment: 20 hours per week unless otherwise agreed.
• Duration: 10 weeks unless otherwise agreed

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Interns have the opportunity to support of our mission and our three campaigns: Campaign for Justice, Floridians for Immigrant Justice, and Let Florida Vote. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Support the eleven volunteer-led chapters
• Support our work on police reform
• Assist with coordination of collateral consequences/bench card initiative
• Assist with the three campaigns as needed

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

This internship is open to graduate and law students who have completed their first year of school. Interns should possess the following:

• Innate curiosity, passion, and initiative.
• Excellent research, writing and communication skills.
• Comfort in working independently and as part of a team.
• Fluency in a language other than English (esp. Spanish or Creole) is desired, but not required.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU, including a demonstrated commitment to equity and racial justice.

COMPENSATION
$15 per hour.  There are no benefits provided as this is a temporary part-time position.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please send a cover letter, resume, and one writing sample by email to [email protected]. All inquiries should include “Statewide Initiatives Intern” in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted through May 16^th . Please indicate where you learned of this job posting. No phone calls, please.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Florida reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Florida encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status. We encourage formerly incarcerated individuals to apply. If selected for an interview, please inquire if financial assistance is needed in order to attend.

At the ACLU of Florida, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion and embrace the uniqueness of everyone. We seek to create a place of belonging where candidates of diverse backgrounds will be included, represented, and heard.

The ACLU of Florida makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment efforts provide persons with disabilities with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

The ACLU of Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail [email protected] . If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.   

#LI-DNI