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NEA is accepting applications for individuals interested in participating in the NEA Internship Program for the Fall 2026 sessionin the Strategic Federal Partnerships department of the Center for Advocacy and Political Action, which will begin on September 14, 2026, and end on or before December 14, 2026. The internship may range from six weeks to a full semester. Interns will receive a stipend of twenty dollars ($20) per hour and may intern up to a maximum of twenty (20) hours a week. This internship is based at NEA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

The NEA Internship Program provides interns with training, learning opportunities, educational activities and exposure to a variety of rich and substantive programmatic experiences that support quality public education. These experiences may include conducting research; data analysis; writing, editing, using Internet applications and social media; participating in and assisting with partnership events, tracking and reporting on Executive branch work, meetings and policy forums and other program-related activities.

The NEA partners with institutions of higher education, intern programs and other organizations to identify interns - generally juniors, seniors, recent college graduates (up to 18 months) or graduate students - who are interested in public education policy and education issues. Students pursuing degrees in Education, Political Science, Government, Human Resources, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Business, Finance, Economics, Management, Communications, Computer Science, Journalism, Mass Media, Graphic Design, Digital Communications and other disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Strategic Federal Partnership Internship

Position Emphasis: This position supports NEA's strategic objective to focus the energy and resources of its 3 million members toward the promotion of public education by participating in internship opportunities and assignments in the Strategic Federal Partnerships department of the Center for Advocacy and Political Action. This position will meaningfully contribute to NEA's Strategic Federal Partnerships team on a variety of issues, ranging from using different levers for change, including public policy, regulatory, and member engagement and mobilization. It will also work closely with NEA's ballot measure and broader campaigns and elections work.

Strategic Federal Partnership Intern Activities:

• Assist in the tracking and reporting of Administration policy and regulatory actions and engagements with NEA members, leaders and staff.

• Assist with coordinating campaigns and elections work to elect pro public education candidates and support issue campaigns.

• Support the Strategic Federal Partnership team's cross center team meetings and coordinate follow up work.

Additionally, NEA interns will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with NEA staff and participate in a variety of meaningful learning experiences, projects and opportunities during the internship. In addition to participating in assigned Center/department activities, based on their skills and interests, interns will also have opportunities to participate in relevant NEA sponsored and/or approved group activities that may occur at NEA or in the Washington Metropolitan area. The group activities may include participation in interviews with the NEA President and Executive Director, and organizational leadership and staff, observing NEA events such as Representative Assembly events, Board meetings or cross Center/department events, and participating in policy forums, organizing or lobbying activities or organized partner or Intern events in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, such as Washington DC Intern Week. Expected skills and opportunities for development that the intern may obtain from this educational experience.

Expected skills and opportunities for development

• Policy research and analysis, including researching federal and state policies, legislation, regulations, and political developments affecting public education and working families.

• Campaigns and elections, including learning about political strategy, voter engagement, candidate research, electoral trends, and the role of education and labor issues in elections.

• Political and legislative monitoring, tracking relevant legislation, congressional activity, regulatory developments, and political news.

• Advocacy and organizing, gaining exposure to strategies for engaging members, partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders around policy and political priorities.

• Strategic communications, including drafting talking points, briefing materials, fact sheets, memos, and other materials used to advance policy and political goals.

• Research and data skills, including gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information to support campaigns, policy development, and strategic decision-making.

• Coalition and partnership building, learning how organizations collaborate with labor, education, community, and political partners to advance shared priorities.

• Professional development, including opportunities to participate in meetings, briefings, trainings, and other activities that provide exposure to federal policy, campaigns, elections, advocacy, and the broader education and labor landscape.

• Project management and collaboration, developing skills in managing assignments, meeting deadlines, working across teams, and contributing to larger organizational priorities.

The intern will gain hands-on experience connecting policy, politics, campaigns, and advocacy, while developing a deeper understanding of how these areas intersect to advance public education and support educators, students, and working families

TO APPLY:

Please submit the following documents:

1) Resume
2) Cover letter - indicating preferred department or area(s) of interest
3) Letter of recommendation
4) Writing sample

Individuals selected for an interview will be contacted by the Center or department and additional samples may be required at the time of the interview.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following is provided: The position involves skill in using a computer and/or laptop; oral and written communication skills; skills in proofreading and editing; use of clear and articulate speech; interpersonal relations skills; reasoning and problem solving skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment; ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.); and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

NEA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ENCOURAGES WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO APPLY.

NEA Participates in E-Verify. Read more here E-Verify Participation & Right to Work.

NEA complies with the DC Wage Transparency Act of 2023.