Opportunities

 Focus the Nation is currently seeking one to two interns to join our organizing team for summer 2009.  This is a unique opportunity for qualified and dedicated individuals to gain experience in the growing movement for clean energy, green jobs, climate justice, and bold climate legislation. The internship responsibilities will vary depending on the skills and interests of the individuals, but may include some of the following: 

• Corresponding with and supporting the efforts of existing organizing teams throughout country 
• Researching and outreaching to new communities that would benefit from having a FTN organizing chapter 
• Contributing to organizing efforts in Portland, OR around issues of environmental justice, green jobs, etc. 
• Assisting with general organizing tasks (database support, online organizing, communications, etc.) 

• Passion for creating a clean and just future free of fossil fuels with equality for all 
• Strong interest in issues of Climate Change, Social Justice, Progressive Politics, Civic Engagement, Youth Empowerment, and/or Social Change 
• Experience with and/or strong understanding of campus-based, community, and/or electoral organizing strongly preferred 
• Online and computer skills 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Interest/willingness in developing phone-based organizing skills and comfort speaking with strangers 
• Self-starter, detail oriented, independent organizer with interest in learning how to be part of a small national organizing team 
• Energy, sense of humor, genuine interest in changing the world, and eagerness to learn and share your awesomeness 

Focus the Nation is currently seeking an intern to join our civic engagement program for summer 2009. 

This is a unique opportunity for qualified and dedicated individuals to gain experience in the work of engaging elected officials in the growing movement for clean energy, green jobs, climate justice, and bold climate legislation. It is a chance to learn key insight into the strategies and practices of bringing key legislators to the table. The internship responsibilities will vary depending on the skills and interests of the individuals, but may include some of the following: 

• Supporting the Civic Engagement director in corresponding with staff offices of Members of Congress 
• Working with the organizing team to connect Members of Congress to their constituents 
• Researching background on Members of Congress and their constituencies 
• Assisting with general organizing tasks (database support, online organizing, communications, etc.) 

This internship will likely come with a great deal of responsibility, and is an opportunity to grow and develop as a young leader in the clean energy movement. Interns should posses the following qualifications: 

• Passion for creating a clean and just future free of fossil fuels with equality for all 
• Strong interest in issues of Climate Change, Social Justice, Progressive Politics, Civic Engagement, Youth Empowerment, and/or Social Change 
• Experience and/or interest in working with elected officials 
• Interest/willingness in learning the strategy and tactics of communicating with offices of prominent government offices 
• Self-starter, detail oriented, independent individual with interest in learning how to be part of a small national organizing team 
• Online and computer skills 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Energy, sense of humor, genuine interest in changing the world, and eagerness to learn and share your awesomeness 

We are flexible, but please be able to work 20 to 40 hours a week for at least two months. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a stipend at this time. However, we will support you in gaining academic credit for this internship. Positions available beginning of June. 


To apply, please submit:
1. Cover letter 
2. Resume 
3. Short sample ‘correspondence’ email requesting the member of Congress for your district to participate in an event of your choosing. Have fun with this, nothing too lengthy or intense necessary. 

Please contact Mollie Ruskin at mollie@focusthenation.org or 503-274-7289 with questions and application by May 25th, 2009. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Focus the Nation is currently looking for one to two interns to join our New Media team for summer 2009. 

This is a unique opportunity for qualified and dedicated individuals to gain experience in the emerging and evolving field of New Media while working to help the climate movement. New Media is an evolving skill-set which is becoming crucial part of modern political activism. This internship is an opportunity for a creative individual to build experience in this emerging field, while working on the defining challenge of our age. 

The internship responsibilities will vary depending on the skills and interests of the individuals, but may include some of the following: 

• Recruiting and communicating with organizers via new media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other social networking tools 
• Planning and coordinating Focus the Nation’s Multi-Platform New Media strategy 
• Web site design using the powerful Drupal framework and would include the possible use of HTML, CSS, PHP, and Javascript 
• Video and audio podcasting to help Focus the Nation communicate with its organizers and allies. 
• Contact management and trackin. 

This internship is for motivated and self-directed individuals and is an opportunity to build your New Media expertise while supporting the clean energy movement. Interns should posses the following qualifications: 

• Interest and understanding of New Media and communications, particularly as applied to progressive politics, organizing, etc. 
• Strong computer literacy; basic understanding of HTML is not required but is encouraged. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Self motivation and independence, with interest in learning how to be part of a small national organizing team 
• Energy, sense of humor, genuine interest in changing the world, and eagerness to learn and share your awesomeness 

We are flexible, but please be able to work 10 to 40 hours a week for at least two months. Start and end dates are flexible. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a stipend at this time; however, we will support you in gaining academic credit for this internship. Positions available beginning of June. 


To apply, please submit:
1. Cover letter 
2. Resume 
3. Portfolio of any sample online work you’ve done or contributed to. Not required. 

Please contact Scott Duncombe at scott@focusthenation.org or 503.274.9799 with questions and application by May 25th, 2009. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.