Job Description

This internship will be based in Philadelphia, PA or Washington, DC and begin in the Fall of 2026. The hours and exact start and end dates are flexible to fit the intern’s academic calendar.

About FIRE

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought. 

Position Description

FIRE is looking for passionate, team-oriented, and driven undergraduates (rising juniors, and seniors) or graduate students attending colleges and universities in the United States. FIRE offers a fast-paced and exciting work environment. Working at the headquarters of a national nonprofit, the student will be immersed in the general functions of running the office while learning about civil liberties in higher education from professional free speech advocates.

The Legislative and Policy Department develops and advances FIRE’s positions on public policy issues related to free speech. We directly lobby legislators and regulatory agencies on issues that affect free speech, offer consultations to policymakers to help them draft and pass speech-protective legislation, talk to press about legislation and government regulations that affect free speech, and write bill analyses, public statements, and other public-facing pieces related to FIRE’s legislative agenda.

Responsibilities

FIRE is seeking an undergraduate or graduate Legislative Intern to aid its Legislative and Policy Department. The Legislative Intern’s responsibilities may include:

• Maintaining a database of legislative contact information.
• Participating in the process for reviewing outgoing writing pieces.
• Assisting with legislative research projects, as needed.
• Assisting with FIRE’s tracking and reporting of lobbying activity.
• Other clerical duties for the Legislative and Policy department, as needed.
• General intern duties such as answering phones, managing the general FIRE inbox, assisting with inventory management, and office management.

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have:

• Demonstrated interest in civil liberties and public policy work.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• An understanding of and enthusiasm for FIRE’s mission.
• The ability to work independently.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with Salesforce.

FIRE’s office is located in Old City, Philadelphia. Commuters that live outside walking distance can easily access FIRE through SEPTA regional rail, subway, bus service, or PATCO rail service. Parking is also available in the area at a variety of lots and garages for between $15 and $30 a day.

The Legislative Intern will work in a standard office environment. To perform job responsibilities, the Legislative Intern will utilize personal computers, copy machines, and telephones. Some lifting of objects weighing up to 30 pounds may be required. On occasion, the Legislative Intern may be asked to perform errands which will involve walking to places within the immediate vicinity of the FIRE office.

Students will be evaluated at regular intervals. Highly successful candidates may be invited back for future intern experiences or may be offered a part-time position, however, further employment is not guaranteed.

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