Washington Internship Opportunity 2/02/2001
Public Affairs Internship-Media and Publications

The National Governors' Association (NGA) has an opening for one undergraduate or graduate students to serve as an intern in its Office of Public Affairs (OPA) for spring/summer 2001. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in receiving HANDS ON EXPERIENCE.

Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, the National Governors' Association is a bipartisan national organization through which the nation's governors work to help shape and implement national policy and solve state problems. NGA's members are the governors of the American states, commonwealths and territories. NGA serves governors by tracking national public policy. Through NGA, governors work with the president, the administration and Congress to influence public policy in key areas that affect states.

The NGA Office of Public Affairs is the communication arm of the organization, promoting and publicizing governors, the work of NGA committees, and research produced by NGA's Center for Best Practices. The staff works with the Governors' press secretaries, the Capitol Hill press corps, and other national press on news stores that involve governors and issues impacting the states. The office handles all media relations activities for the NGA and is involved with public relations activities at the national, regional and local levels throughout the country. The office also coordinates and manages the publications activities of NGA, producing a wide range of reports, newsletters, web materials, brochures, and conference materials.

The NGA Office of Public Affairs is committed to providing interns with work experience that utilizes their skills and abilities. Inters can gain hands-on public relations experience that includes developing targeted media campaigns, writing, assisting in the production of materials, and working in news media headquarters during the winter and annual meetings of the governors. Interns with the OPA will make substantive contributions to their portfolios to use in launching their careers.

Responsibilities include the following: Assists in organizing news conferences, special events, and other meetings covered by the press. Provides assistance in execution of proactive media relations activities: developing targeted media lists, coordinating dissemination of media relations materials. Also may research ideas for opinion editorials, talking points, newsletter articles, and issue backgrounders for NGA staff and Governors' press secretaries. Helps track news coverage of NGA, governors, and NGA's priority issues and posting clip on NGA website. May assist with desktop publishing and production of newsletters, brochures and other NGA communication pieces. May answer phones, fill public information requests, prepare faxes and mailings, assist with general filing and perform other administrative duties. Assists in producing publications produced by the association, including press releases, articles for newsletters, Issue Briefs, full-scale reports, web materials, newsletters and conference materials.

Qualifications: The candidate should be majoring in public affairs/relations, journalism or English. Work experience in these fields would be an advantage. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills, and should be computer literate with a variety of software packages (Microsoft Word, etc.) Desktop-publishing skills (preferably PageMaker) are an advantage but not a requirement.

Candidates must have strong communication skills and must be able to organize and prioritize multiple tasks, work well with others, and work effectively in a fast-paced, team environment. An interest in state government, public policy and public affairs is preferred. NGA reserves the right to administer a skills test to all finalists. Candidates must be able to commit for at least a three-month period. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but a four-day workweek is a possibility. Internship beginning and ending dates are flexible. The position requires a minimum commitment of 32 hours per week.

Interested students should send a cover letter and resume, indicating preferred start and end dates, by e-mail, fax, or mail to:
Christine LaPaille
Attn: OPA Public Affairs Internship
National Governors' Association
444 North Capitol Street, Suite 267
Washington, D.C. 20001-1512
Email: clapaille@nga.org
Fax: 202/624-8832
No calls please.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Please note that we will contact only those applicants selected for an interview.