Michigan Democratic Party Internship Program

Jackson County Democratic Committee Internship Opportunity

Jackson County Campaign Manager Opportunity

Michigan Democratic Party Internship Program

Interning for the Michigan Democratic Party is a great way to learn about state politics and the campaign processes that drive Democratic candidates into office. At the Michigan Democratic Party we are always looking for interns to contribute their time, hard work, and creative thought to a very competitive political climate. The program is designed to give a well-rounded experience, including substantial responsibilities in working with top Democratic staffers in Michigan.

Responsibilities and Qualifications

Intern responsibilities vary greatly and range from assisting with administrative and office duties to research and direct field work. The goal is to obtain work experience related to your career interests and serve as a stepping stone into further job opportunities. A commitment to the goals and ideas of the Democratic Party is a prerequisite. Applicants must be organized, responsible, and punctual, have good oral and written communication skills and be able to work with others in a political environment. Computer literacy is required.

Current Internship Openings

Political Organizing Department - working with local Party organizations, elected officials, candidates and constituencies of the Party to elect Democrats; training of Party members; voter registration and education; issues conferences, and many other activities.
Communications Department - working to get the Democratic message out to members and to the public through radio, TV, print media, phone, fax, the internet, and other means, as well as doing issue research.
Finance Department - working to raise money for the Party by events, direct mail, telemarketing, membership, large donor programs, and other means.
Website Development Task Force - utilize skills in web design and creating Flash based content to assist the political organizing department and the communications department with various internet based projects, assist with the design and maintenance of the Michigan Democratic Party website.

Program Outline

Depending on their educational institution, participants will be expected to work part-time, 10-20 hours a week, or full-time, 20-30 hours a week, to be eligible to earn class credit through this program. Hours are flexible and can be tailored to the student's schedule. All work is voluntary and monetary compensation for participants will not be available. Car pooling is encouraged as transportation is not provided to the work site. By arrangement with a school, academic credit may be available. If your educational institution has an intern coordinator, please try and work with them if you wish to acquire academic credit. We will work with you and your professor to make this experience a meaningful one.

Application Procedure

Download a MDP Internship Application here.

Please send application, cover letter and resume to:

Michigan Democratic Party, Attn: Laura Hornshaw, 606 Townsend St. Lansing, MI 48933

Fax to: (517) 371-5011

Email to: intern@michigandems.com

Note: If applying for the website internship please submit an electronic portfolio or URL with your application.

Jackson County Democratic Committee - Internship Opportunity

The Jackson County Democratic Committee is looking for interns for a county-wide coordinated campaign. The internship opportunity will run over several semesters from May to November, 2010. If taken for credit, it is possible that more than one person could share this internship by selecting a semester.

Jackson County has become a bellweather for partisan politics in Michigan, as the county turned blue in 2008 despite being the birthplace of the republican party.

The JCDC is combining the county commissioner races into a coordinated campaign. The intern will expected to:

Evaluate and manage voter data
Evaluate walking lists to maximize effectiveness
Coordinate event schedule with candidates or candidate's campaign manager
Coordinate media contacts and message
Coordinate phone banks to maximize effectiveness
Assist with literature as needed
Other duties as determined

The intern will be expected to work part-time (20-30 hrs) each week, with most hours in the evening and Saturdays. Hours will increase to full-time in October through Election Day. A small stipend may be available, depending on qualifications.

Resume and a cover letter detailing your interest and past campaign experience is required. Email to prayl@comcast.net.

Jackson County Campaign Manager Opportunity

An energetic and dedicated person is needed to be a campaign manager for a Democratic race for Jackson County Board of Commissioners.

Jackson County has become a bellwether for partisan politics in Michigan, as the county turned blue in 2008 despite being the birthplace of the republican party.

This district race will be a close and challenging one. The ideal campaign manager will have excellent computer skills, a high work ethic, be willing to keep up with and even push a committed and serious candidate.

As most of the funds raised will go towards campaign materials, no stipend is available. Payment of monthly cellphone bill and some gas reimbursement is an option.

Resume and a cover letter detailing your interest and past campaign experience is required. Email to prayl@comcast.net by Jan. 29.

Michigan Senate Democratic Campaign Committee

Internship Program

Interning for the Michigan Senate Democratic Campaign Committee is a great way to learn about state politics and the campaign processes that will drive Democratic candidates into the State Senate. The Michigan Senate Democratic Campaign Committee are always looking for interns to contribute their time, hard work, and creative thought to a very competitive political climate. With all 38 of the State Senate seats up for reelection in November of 2010, the Michigan Senate Democrats are looking to find those interns that will contribute to a winning staff in races across the state. This is a perfect opportunity to obtain work experience related to your career interests and serve as a stepping stone into further job opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented.

· Will be trained to represent the Senate Democrats in handling and coordinating political programs from inception to conclusion, including but not limited to, starting a campaign committee, speaking to individuals and groups and door-to-door work.

· Maintain detailed records of project activities.

· Regularly input and extract data from a Windows database and other software packages as needed to track political programs.

· Conduct research on senate districts, industries, and issues of interest to the senate campaigns and other initiatives.

· Identify, analyze, collect data and summarize basic political issues.

· Develop basic quantitative and qualitative analysis for use in campaigns.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience

Volunteer or paid campaign experience on a political, legislative or social justice campaign preferred.

Job Demands

Ability to work under high pressure in a fast‐paced work environment, with multiple priorities and critical deadlines is required. The job will be unpaid for no more than 20 hours a week and no less than 10 hours a week.

Computer/Software Skills

Beginner to intermediate skill using Excel, Access, PowerPoint and MS Word.

Personal Characteristics

Must be results‐oriented and highly organized, with the ability to prioritize projects and activities. Must possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively with groups of diverse people. Requires initiative, honesty, leadership, ability to motivate people, ability to learn quickly, a good work ethic and proven ability to successfully carry out assignments. Must possess to ability to think strategically and exercise a high level of judgment.

Other Requirements

Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle. A commitment to the goals and ideas of the Democratic Party is a prerequisite.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please send application, cover letter and resume to:

Michigan Senate Democrats, Attn: Justin Johnson, 3230 South Pennsylvania Avenue. Lansing, MI 48910

Or email to: jjohnson@senatedems.org

*The Michigan Senate Democrats is an equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable occupational accommodations will be provided pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Please Note:In order to view or print the PDF files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer, which can be downloaded for free here.

*The Michigan Democratic Party is an equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.