Intern, State Affairs - Indiana

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$18.55 per hour, working 20 hours a week. Internship dates approximately 10/14/24 – 5/15/25.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s most effective animal advocacy organization, is seeking a paid intern for Indiana State Affairs. As a State Affairs Intern, you will gain experience and knowledge of animal protection issues and policy at the national and state level in the State Affairs department while assisting the State Director in carrying out national and state agenda items and priorities within the state of Indiana.

Learning opportunities include: 

• Strengthening networking and communication skills, as well as time management and organizational skills; 
• Gaining leadership experience and effective communication skills; 
• Fostering a deeper understanding of numerous animal protection issues; 
• Improving writing, research, data compilation, and editing abilities; 
• Practicing time management skills such as how to prioritize assignments and multi-task;
• Learning about legislative advocacy and how to be most effective as an animal advocate; 
• Learning about the HSUS’s major positions, campaigns, and mission. 

You will be responsible for:

• Helping the State Director advance state and local legislative priorities;
• Building contacts with activist coalitions and animal welfare groups in the state; working with grassroots supporters;
• Helping implement key legislative and campaign strategies by coordinating with campaign and other HSUS staff, at the state director’s direction; 
• Assisting with state and local legislation through lobbying, written communications, outreach, etc.;
• Drafting substantive written materials, including testimony, white papers, fact sheets, and other documents as needed;
• Performing outreach to animal-related organizations within the state to assist with relationship building; developing and/or updating contact list;
• Assisting the State Director in volunteer outreach projects for campaigns; 
• Assisting with Humane Lobby Day and Humane 101s throughout the state;
• Tabling at various events to promote the HSUS;
• Assisting with grassroots advocacy campaigns including participating in phone banking (utilizing a prescribed phone list and script to make phone calls to the public and HSUS members regarding animal protection issues) and coordinating other grassroots outreach campaigns;
• Assisting with online research and commentary, letter writing (letters to the editor, writing to local businesses, etc.), and working with social media; 
• Assisting with administrative tasks such as updating and preparing Excel spreadsheets, database entry (such as creating master list of all the shelters/humane societies/animal control throughout the state), assisting with mailings, events-submission to online calendars and weekly newspapers, etc.;
• Providing written reports on progression of work in a timely manner 
• Completing an internal course designed to introduce the organization and our work;
• Following guidelines and policies of the HSUS and State Affairs department, and following directions given by staff. 

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Must currently be attending college or have a bachelor’s degree;
• Strong reading, writing, critical thinking, research, attention to detail, and editing skills;
• Eagerness to learn about a variety of animal protection issues;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and database-entry; general knowledge of social media;
• Demonstrate flexibility and show initiative on a variety of projects; strong work ethic;
• Able to think creatively, in a solution-oriented way;
• Willingness to learn from and work closely with the State Director on various campaigns and issues;
• Eagerness to work independently and take direction from State Director;
• Able to use discretion, keeping in mind the confidential nature of some aspects of the work;
• Able to work well independently and as a member of a team, with a high level of accountability and integrity;
• Able to tactfully deal with challenging questions or opposing viewpoints from the public;
• Maintain professionalism in attitude and appearance;
• Must have access to a computer with Microsoft Word and access to the Internet.

This internship is remote, based in Indiana. 

When applying, please submit your cover letter and resume together as one document.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or parental status or protected veteran status. EOE 

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