VEP Internship

The Voter Empowerment Project (VEP) invites undergraduate and graduate students to apply for our Summer, Fall, or Spring internship.

VEP recruits and manages a network of volunteers who provide remote support to small, high-impact, state and local voting rights organizations that engage historically disenfranchised communities.  VEP volunteers bring a wide range of skills and expertise to aid these front-line partners with communications, data analysis, web design, social media strategy, fundraising and grant writing, volunteer recruitment, digital marketing, graphic design, video production, writing and editing, and other areas.  VEP assists partner organizations in determining their needs, matches volunteers with the necessary skills and experience, and manages the process to ensure timely and satisfactory completion of projects. For our internship program, VEP is especially committed to creating a pipeline for students color, women, LGBTQ+, first generation college attendees, those who grew up with less economic privilege, and/or other historically underrepresented identities.

POSITION: VEP Management Intern

REPORTS TO: VEP Executive Director

LOCATION: Remote

TIME FRAME: Summer semester (late May to Late July)

COMMITMENT: 20 to 30 hours/week

COMPENSATION: $16 / hour (if compensation is not provided by your university)

APPLICATION PROCESS: see below

Responsibilities

VEP Management Interns will assist with:

  • identifying small, high-impact voting rights organizations that meet VEP’s criteria;

  • outreach to key networks and recruit volunteers with relevant professional skills;

  • matching volunteers with front-line partners based on organizations’ needs and the skills required;

  • supporting the management of volunteers to ensure high quality services delivered in a timely manner;

  • engaging national partners who aid state and local voting rights efforts;

    researching best practices to increase voter turnout in high need areas;

  • supporting VEP’s Professional Development Program that provides opportunities for growth and skills development for volunteers and Partner staff; and

  • other relevant duties as needed.

Skills and Qualifications

Ideal candidates will demonstrate an effective combination of some or all of the following skills and qualifications: 

  • Demonstrated commitment to progressive values, racial and gender equity and all forms of diversity, equity, and inclusion for historically marginalized communities;

  • The ability to respectively collaborate with others, including with VEP staff, volunteers, non-profit partners and other stakeholders;

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;

  • Proficiency in relevant computer and technological skills needed for effectively creating written content, electronic communication, organizing data, and creating presentation materials (e.g. Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint, Google Suite); and

  • Self-directed, organized, and detail oriented with the ability to work effectively both independently as well as collaboratively in teams; and

 

VEP welcomes applicants who also have the following skills (not required):

  • experience managing social media platforms (e.g. facebook, instagram, twitter, tik tok);

  • expertise in one or more skills that VEP offers front-line partners (e.g. social media strategy, data analysis, research, video production, graphic design, etc); and

  • proficiency in one or more non-English languages (preferably Spanish).

Time Frame and Compensation

VEP interns will receive $16/hour for: 

  • 6 to 8 weeks during the Summer term (20 to 30 hrs/week)

  • 3 to 4 months during the Fall and Spring (5 to 15 hrs/week)

Application Process and Timeline

Applicants should submit the following materials to davec@voterempowerment.org with the subject line “VEP Internship Application - [YOUR NAME].” 

  • Resume or description of your past work and/or volunteer experience;

  • Statement of interest (1 - 2 pages), that describes why you are 1) passionate about social/racial justice and voting rights, 2) interested in VEP, and 3) a good candidate for this internship; 

  • Two references – one from a professor or professional colleague and one from a peer; and

  • (optional) A short (1 - 2 minute) selfie video commenting on the importance of volunteerism and its benefits to both the volunteer and the community. 

Internship applicants will be considered on a rolling basis.

Questions regarding the internship can be sent to davec@voterempowerment.org.

Commitment To Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

VEP is committed to addressing long-standing and persistent racial and gender disparities in employment. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, ethnicity, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nation of origin, criminal record history, disability status, or other underrepresented backgrounds and identities. Given VEP’s mission to serve historically disenfranchised and oppressed communities, the organization prioritizes creating opportunities for applicants that are representative of these communities.

Testimony of 2020 Interns

"Being a management intern for VEP was an extremely fulfilling and exciting experience! I had the chance to get hands-on experience in grassroots organizing spaces, gain management experience, and really help to make a difference. Helping local groups across the country get out the vote and protect people’s rights was so empowering and interning for VEP will allow you to take an active role in that mission."

Katy Pickens, Brown University, Class of 2024

"Interning with VEP was a wonderful way to effect change remotely. I was able to meet and assist community organizers doing critical work on the frontlines across the country. Plus, I got to work with awesome volunteers who were experts in their fields. VEP allowed me to make a tangible difference not just in one election, but to help build the kind of infrastructure that lasts beyond one cycle."

Devan P., Brown University, Class of 2024

 

Testimony of 2020 Voting Rights Partner

“We are a small grassroots organization with limited capacity, but VEP volunteers are helping us "up our game' this year to get out the New American and Latinx vote in Western CO!  Volunteers are helping us with our website--they are developing social media tools for us, and with their support we are creating some great videos in Spanish to help people in our community register to vote. We encourage others to step up and volunteer to help make an impact on November 3rd.”

Karen Sherman Perez, Community Relations & Development Director, Hispanic Affairs Project