Organizing and Research Internship, San Francisco Office
Food & Water Watch is a leading national consumer advocacy organization that runs dynamic, cutting edge campaigns challenging the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources. Since 2005, we have won significant victories to protect our food and water. Our work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post and other major media outlets.
The Position
As an organizing or research intern, you will work directly with experienced researchers, organizers, policy experts and lobbyists. Under the guidance of staff in the food, water, or fish programs, interns work on a wide range of projects aimed at safeguarding vital food and water resources.
Interns will have the opportunity to contribute to campaigns in the following ways:
• Drafting letters, fact sheets, action alerts, and other advocacy materials
• Tracking news and research
• Conducting policy and related research and drafting memoranda
• Assisting with database maintenance for our web-based action alert system
• Assisting organizers in outreach to other advocacy organizations, religious groups, labor organizations, elected officials, businesses, and citizen activists
• Tabling on behalf of Food & Water Watch at events and festivals
• Assisting organizers in coordinating campaign events to engage citizens and pressure targets
• Holding regular office hours and participating in weekly meetings with campaign staff
For each of the three primary subject areas, interns can expect to address the following:
Food: Interns will assist on projects aimed at promoting more safe and sustainable food and agricultural practices. Current campaigns include federal legislation to provide schools with milk free of artificial hormones, state and federal work on food safety policy initiatives, and cutting-edge research on factory farms and their impact on groundwater in the Central Valley.
Water: Interns will assist on projects aimed at promoting public water resources and opposing increased privatization of water. Current campaigns include federal efforts to promote investment in public water infrastructure, state legislation to track the amount of water being extracted by water bottling companies, and various local campaigns against water privatization.
Fish: Interns will assist on projects aimed at promoting clean and sustainable seafood, including conducting research for our smart seafood card. Current campaigns include efforts to promote positive models of fishery management and to oppose open-ocean offshore aquaculture (factory fish farming).
Time and Pay/Credit
We have one paid internship position, supporting the water and food programs. The position is for up to 20 hours a week for 10 weeks at $9.79/hour.
We have one unpaid internship position primarily supporting the Fish program Expected hours are 15-20/week. Depending on the college or university, however, students may receive credit for work.
When you apply, please indicate which internship(s) you would like to be considered for. You can choose to be considered for both at the same time.
Qualifications
• Currently enrolled in law school, public policy school, or other relevant graduate program, or undergraduate student with good academic standing
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills
• Enthusiasm, creativity, and attention to detail
• An interest in pubic interest/environmental/consumer issues and a commitment to work towards the ideas of Food & Water Watch
How to Apply:
Students should send a cover letter, resume, and short writing sample to Internship Program, Food & Water Watch, 25 Stillman Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94107 or via e-mail info-ca@fwwatch.org. Please include in your cover letter your preference for the internship, related coursework, and other relevant experience. Food & Water Watch strives for a diverse work environment and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities to apply.