Work At RAD

Do you want to join us in building a strong, people powered movement in Vermont?

Do you want to learn how to organize and make a difference in your community?

Rights & Democracy (RAD) is a member-led, people’s organization in Vermont and New Hampshire. Our mission is to shift the political landscape through electoral and community organizing to ensure that the values and needs of our communities guide the policies of our government. We are doing this by building a popular movement to advance human rights, dismantle economic inequality, racism, and sexism, and to build a real democracy.

RAD is seeking interns for Summer and Fall 2023.

To Apply: email cover letter and resume to alison@radvt.org. Please indicate in your cover letter which semester you are interested in interning with RAD.

Application Deadline for Summer Internship: March 31
Application Deadline for Fall Internship: June 30

Internship Description

RAD interns are the front lines of our field work, and in some cases, they are the primary people speaking to community members about how they feel about our political and economic system and its connection to the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the support they receive in emergencies. Organizing Interns will report to Campaign Organizers.

We are currently seeking interns for our campaigns on education justice, housing justice, and ending the overdose crisis. Please indicate in your cover letter if you have a particular interest in working on any of these campaigns.

As a RAD Organizing Intern, you will learn to:

• Conduct community outreach, including phone banking and supporting online virtual events across multiple issue campaigns.
• Communicate with working class Vermonters about key challenges in their communities (e.g., housing, education, wages, and environmental issues).
• Connect with people in our movement and work with them to share their stories and perspectives to advance our policy agenda.
• Maintain a positive and healthy rapport during all public interactions.
• Accurately track and enter data in RAD’s supporter database.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Though not required, previous canvassing, public outreach or political/campaign experience is a plus, and will be given special consideration.
• Skills: Excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work quickly and cooperatively under pressure and meet deadlines. Proficiency with basic computer and smartphone applications, including Google Suite. 
• Qualities: Strong work ethic; self-starter; desire to learn about progressive politics and social issues; a desire to improve your skills and a willingness to reflect on your own experiences and your stake in this work; ability to learn how to efficiently enter data into an online database; ability to maintain a professional, positive, and healthy rapport during all public interaction.

Training and Support

RAD Interns will work closely with relevant Campaign Organizer(s) and other staff members to learn how to canvass across multiple issues, and to gain more skills in effective outreach and communication. Training will include political education pertinent to the progressive political movement including environmental justice, the economy, and democratic engagement.

Rights & Democracy is an open and affirming organization, committed to personal transformation and social change. RAD Interns are expected to maintain positive, inclusive, and open-minded attitudes, and to communicate about any support they may need in their work plan.

RAD’s commitment to inclusive hiring and employment

RAD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As a part of our commitment to equity, RAD will ensure that persons with disabilities disclosed or undisclosed are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed or desired to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Kirthana Vallesi at kirthana@radvt.org.

Rights & Democracy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are committed to equity and inclusion. Core to our work is an understanding of the multiple and intersecting ways in which society is constructed to disadvantage and marginalize people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants, indigenous peoples, women, low-income people, people with disabilities, previously incarcerated people, and others. We believe that underrepresented and marginalized communities must be centered in the work that we do and we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or from these communities.

Rights & Democracy does not discriminate against or tolerate harassment of any employee because of race, color, gender identity, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, any other basis prohibited by law, or protected activity under the anti-discrimination statutes.

Are you interested in the legislative process in Vermont?  Do you want to help research, write, and track policy? Do you want to be part of campaigns to pass progressive legislation?

Rights & Democracy (RAD) is a member-led, people’s organization in Vermont and New Hampshire. Our mission is to shift the political landscape through electoral and community organizing to ensure that the values and needs of our communities guide the policies of our government. We are doing this by building a popular movement to advance human rights, dismantle economic inequality, racism, and sexism, and to build a real democracy.

Rights and Democracy is accepting applications for Policy & Legislative Interns for summer and fall semesters in 2023. We anticipate hosting 2 students a semester for this work.

To apply: email cover letter and resume to dan@radvt.org. Please indicate in your cover letter which semester you are interested in interning with RAD.

Application Deadline for Summer Internship: March 31
Application Deadline for Fall Internship: June 30

Internship Description

RAD interns are the front lines of our legislative work, and a vital part to the successful passage of progressive policies in Vermont.  Interns are able to interact with other organizational advocates, RAD members, and legislators as we research, write, track, and pass legislation. This position will report to the Vermont Movement Politics Director.

Our legislative priorities for 2023 include policies related to housing justice, economic justice, food justice, energy, education justice, government reform, and ending the overdose crisis. Please indicate in your cover letter if you have particular interest in any of these areas.

You will learn to:

• Understand the Vermont Legislative process from policy drafting to passage.
• Research progressive policies in the areas of climate, education justice, economic justice, housing, and food justice.
• Connect with people in our movement and work with them to share their stories and perspectives to advance our policy agenda.
• Articulate a clear analysis on the importance of collective action.
• Accurately track and enter data in our supporter database.
• Participate in the legislative advocacy process, including developing relationships with legislators and testifying to legislative committees.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Though not required, previous experience with the Vermont state legislature or with policy research is a plus.
• Skills: Excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Research ability.  Ability to work quickly and cooperatively under pressure and meet deadlines. Proficiency with basic computer and smartphone applications, including Google Suite. 
• Qualities: Strong work ethic; self-starter; desire to learn about progressive politics and social issues; a desire to improve your skills and a willingness to reflect on your own experiences and your stake in this work; ability to learn how to efficiently enter data into an online database; ability to maintain a professional, positive, and healthy rapport during all public interactions.

Training and Support

RAD Policy & Legislative Interns will work closely with the Movement Politics Director and other staff members.  Training will include political education pertinent to the progressive political movement including environmental justice, the economy, and democratic engagement.

Rights & Democracy is an open and affirming organization, committed to personal transformation and social change. RAD Interns are expected to maintain positive, inclusive, and open-minded attitudes, and to communicate about any support they may need in their work plan.

RAD’s commitment to inclusive hiring and employment

RAD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As a part of our commitment to equity, RAD will ensure that persons with disabilities disclosed or undisclosed are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed or desired to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Kirthana Vallesi at kirthana@radvt.org.

Rights & Democracy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are committed to equity and inclusion. Core to our work is an understanding of the multiple and intersecting ways in which society is constructed to disadvantage and marginalize people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants, indigenous peoples, women, low-income people, people with disabilities, previously incarcerated people, and others. We believe that underrepresented and marginalized communities must be centered in the work that we do and we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or from these communities.

Rights & Democracy does not discriminate against or tolerate harassment of any employee because of race, color, gender identity, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, any other basis prohibited by law, or protected activity under the anti-discrimination statutes.