Legal/Public Policy Intern, Open Technology Institute – New America

New America’s Open Technology Institute seeks enthusiastic and motivated current or recent law, graduate, or undergraduate students, with academic or work experience in technology or public policy, for multiple full-time internships during the summer of 2022. We’re looking for people who are passionate about tech policy and eager to learn about complex issues in a rapidly-changing environment.

OTI works at the intersection of technology and policy to ensure that every community has equitable access to digital technology and its benefits. OTI’s work covers a range of Internet policy issues, including but not limited to:

• Net neutrality, broadband access and adoption, and wireless broadband and spectrum,
• Cybersecurity and encryption,
• Government surveillance and police technologies,
• Wireless broadband, spectrum policy and mobile market competition
• Internet governance, platform accountability, and artificial intelligence,
• Privacy, free expression, and civil liberties.

With an ongoing pandemic, a racial justice movement, and a new administration and Congress actively engaged in tech policy, this work is more important than ever.

OTI’s staff includes a diverse team of policy analysts, legal experts, technologists, and associates. OTI is housed within New America, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute research, writing, and technical expertise (as appropriate) to regulatory filings, policy papers and other projects;
• Conduct in-depth research and writing on a variety of topics;
• Drafting memos, blogs, talking points, press releases and other documents;
• Identify and analyze emerging issues in tech policy;
• Track legislation related to relevant issues;
• Assist with administrative tasks and event staffing;
• Other tasks as directed.

Qualified interns may have the opportunity to author or co-author blog posts, articles, research papers, as well as FCC and other regulatory filings. Interns will also have the opportunity to attend educational events and join OTI staff members attending meetings with allied coalitions and in Congress and administrative agencies.

Qualifications:

Ideal candidates for the internship position will possess the following characteristics:

• Current or recent undergrad or grad student who has academic or equivalent work experience in public policy and technology, current law student at an accredited school, or a recent law school graduate;
• Demonstrated interest in relevant policy work;
• Proven research and analytical skills;
• Excellent legal and/or policy writing skills, including writing for a general public audience;
• Acute attention to detail;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Docs;
• Comfort discussing legal or policy issues with non-expert audiences;
• Technical knowledge of Internet-related tools and infrastructure a plus.

At the time of this posting, all New America staff are working remotely, and New America is continuing to evaluate when, and under what circumstances, staff will return to working in the Washington, DC office. Regardless of any changes to the remote work policy, all internships will be able to be completed remotely.

Technological disruption, online discrimination, and the digital divide disproportionately affect the most historically marginalized communities in society, including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with a disability. OTI is committed to centering the needs of these communities in our work, and we strongly encourage applications from people with a diverse array of backgrounds to support this mission.

How to apply:

Submit a resume, one-page cover letter, and a brief (no more than 3 pages) writing sample here. Internships are paid $17/hour. Must be able to work at least 30 hours/week for 10 weeks over the summer. Flexible on start dates. To be considered for this internship, you must include the following in your cover letter: 1) which of OTI’s issue areas, if any, you’re particularly interested in, and 2) where you heard about this job posting. Submissions will be considered on a rolling basis

Apply here.

New America is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our mission, our employees, and our communities. We value and encourage the contributions of our employees and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.