Congress Watch Research Internship Spring 2011-

Public Citizen is a national, non-partisan, public interest group with over 160,000 members and activists. The Congress Watch division conducts public education campaigns and advocates before the Congress and administrative agencies on money in politics, open government, corporate accountability, consumer protection, access to justice, transportation, and public health and safety.
DESCRIPTION Join the battle to rein in corporate influence in government and strengthen our democracy. The research internship provides students with a better understanding of how investigative and public policy research plays a role in debate over federal legislation and in public interest advocacy work. Interns work as full-fledged members of the staff, which include research, lobbying and field organizing departments.
RESPONSIBILITIES • Provide basic research support such as conducting on-line searches and compiling and analyzing original documents. Interns are guided toward original documents (on-line sources, Library of Congress resources, governmental and non-governmental agencies, etc.). • Prepare research material for incorporation into studies, fact sheets, position papers and other materials. Perform numerous database-related tasks including generating charts and reports. • Provide general administrative support to the research staff, such as entering and proofing data, and database maintenance.
REQUIREMENTS Knowledge: Familiarity with public policy issues. Work Experience: Some demonstrated research and writing experience; previous public interest work preferred. Skills: Good analytical skills; good organizational skills; proficiency in use of computer and Internet research; familiarity with databases (preferably Access) desirable. Capabilities: Conscientious, accurate and tenacious; can-do attitude and commitment to public interest work important.
Start and end dates negotiable. 10-week commitment strongly preferred.
Public Citizen is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a non-smoking workplace. Visit our website at www.citizen.org/congress.

TO APPLY Send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: Yetunde Abass, Public Citizen’s Congress Watch, yabass@citizen.org No phone calls please.