Intern, Companion Animals

   $18.55 per hour, working 15 hours a week.

  Summer session is from 6/3/2024- 8/23/2024

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s most effective animal advocacy organization, is seeking an Intern for its Companion Animals department. As a Companion Animal Intern, it will help to prepare you for a potential career in the animal welfare field by learning advocacy skills, supporting the department with specific projects and gaining a deeper understanding of working on companion animal issues through a structured campaign. Interns will learn about the work of the Companion Animals department and gain practical experience and knowledge through hands-on advocacy work with the Policy, Cat, Equine and/or Animal Fighting & Cruelty teams.

You will be responsible for:

• Completing structured learning goals each week;
• Spearheading one independent project that will culminate in a presentation to our department under guidance of staff;
• Attending weekly Companion Animals department meetings, weekly policy meetings, educational presentations, and other meetings as scheduled;
• Reporting on progression of projects to the supervisor;
• Performing weekly/monthly legislative tracking;
• Assisting in drafting letters to the editor and op-ed pieces, factsheets, letters to public officials, reports and other campaign materials as needed;
• Reviewing news feeds on relevant companion animal policy issues;
• Providing written reports on progression of projects to supervisor;

• Gaining a deeper understanding of companion animal issues and how they intersect with the issues of animal protection legislation and advocacy;
• Developing structured mentor/mentee relationship(s) and network with other animal advocates;
• Strengthening research, writing, networking, public speaking and presentation, data compilation, organizational and time management skills;
• Strengthen knowledge of local and state policy and how policy is made;
• Understanding what it takes to run successful state and local legislative  campaigns;
• Generating ideas about how to be most effective as an animal advocate, including how to communicate with and influence a variety of audiences;

• Learning about the HSUS’s major positions, programs, and mission.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Must be able to work in the United States;
• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must have graduated high school;
• Previous experience in animal welfare a plus;
• Desire to learn about companion animal issues in animal welfare;
• Must have strong familiarity with the internet and online research tools;
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Strong research, writing and critical thinking skills;
• Attentive to detail with a commitment to accuracy;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Able to use discretion, keeping in mind the confidential nature of some aspects of the work;
• Must have interpersonal skills and be professional;
• Able to work well independently and use good judgment.
• Ability to travel to take advantage of potential opportunities to attend conferences (for example, Animal Care Expo).

This internship is remote.

When applying, please submit your cover letter and resume together as one document.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or parental status or protected veteran status. EOE 

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