Policy Intern, Tech Reform

Policy Intern, Tech Reform

Semester: Spring (January-May 2026)

Status: Part-time Temporary (20-30 hours per week)
Reports to: Policy Associate, Technology Reform

Stipend: $18.00/hour 

Location: Washington, DC Preferred (Remote Available–see note under location section)

APPLY HERE: https://issueonereform.bamboohr.com/careers/100

ORGANIZATION

Issue One is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that unites Republicans, Democrats, and independents to win game-changing federal reforms to fix our broken political system and create an inclusive democracy that works for everyone. Issue One educates the public and Congress to pass legislation to increase transparency, strengthen government ethics and accountability, reduce the influence of big money in politics, protect the freedom to vote, and strengthen U.S. elections.

POSITION

The Advocacy Teams at Issue One are made up of three interconnected teams: National Campaigns Team, which builds bipartisan coalitions and advances campaigns like Check the Exec; Legislative Team, which develops and executes advocacy strategies on Capitol Hill; and Policy Team, which sets forth the organization’s strategic agenda, partnering with key thought leaders across the country to advance pro-democracy reforms. 

Issue One seeks a Policy intern interested in combating disinformation, reforming social media, and protecting American democracy. The Policy team is focused on several key policy areas to improve our information environment, including kids online safety, data privacy, national security, and product liability. The team also runs the Council for Responsible Social Media, a group of leaders working to ensure that social media platforms enhance, rather than undermine, American democracy. We are looking to hire an intern to support this mission; ideal candidates are adaptable, open-minded, and able to manage varying responsibilities, like the rest of our staff. 

Our interns are integral members of Issue One. We are a small but growing office where you will gain hands-on experience in bipartisan outreach and advocacy, communications and messaging tactics, event planning, and much more. We also work closely with other reform organizations and will give you a comprehensive look at the vital work being done nationwide.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research

• Independently research topics related to social media, children's mental and physical health, disinformation/misinformation, implications of social media on U.S. national security, polarization, digital democracy, and related topics. 
• Draft reports, talking points, and other reports to further the Tech Reform team’s ability to advocate for meaningful reforms to hold big tech companies accountable. 
• Regularly monitor current events and news related to technology policy, legislation, regulation, and other related items, and draft reports outlining those updates. 

Advocacy

• Formulate advocacy strategies (state and federal) as it relates to the Tech Reform team’s work.
• Monitor federal and state legislation related to the Tech Reform team’s priorities.
• Schedules and attends, as assigned, meetings and public events and follows up with advocacy organizations, academics, and other entities as needed.

Public Event Planning and Management 

• Helps execute events for the Policy Team, including internal Council meetings and public events.
• Supports logistical coordination and keeps their supervisor abreast of any planning concerns.

This internship is a dynamic opportunity to engage with a wide range of topics related to tech policy and democracy. Given the fluid and developing nature of the Tech Reform program, duties are subject to change, and new responsibilities might be added based on the program's needs. Therefore, the interns must be able to adapt to program needs and remain optimistic when changes take place. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated interest in democracy, combating misinformation, tech reform, and political advocacy
• Self-starter who can see projects through to completion
• Commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable political system
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Positive attitude and willingness to try new things
• Demonstrated ability to generate ideas and adapt to new projects
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, as well as with a team

LOCATION

This will be a part-time internship of 20-25 hours per week. Interns can work remotely or join us on-site for a hybrid schedule, including being in our Washington, DC office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If remote, they must reside in a state where Issue One is formally established. These states include California, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Remote opportunities outside of these states are not available.

We anticipate this being a roughly 18-week internship, starting on or about Monday, Jan. 12, and ending on or about Friday, May 22.

Intern Selection Timeline

• Oct. 27-Nov. 7: Position is posted, and resumes are collected 
• Nov. 10-14: Resumes are screened and interviews are scheduled.
• Nov. 17-21: Interviews are conducted; candidate is selected and internship is offered  

Special Note: While Issue One will do its best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organization will do its best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after Nov. 7, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire 

Our DEI efforts focus on empowering staff, valuing differences, and ensuring every voice matters. We aim to attract diverse candidates with varied perspectives and experiences, reinforcing our commitment to a workplace where everyone's unique contributions are celebrated.

We ask all applicants to fill out a voluntary self-identification questionnaire as part of our application. This helps us maintain our DEI commitment and create equal opportunities for success.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply by clicking here. Please include how you heard about the position. 

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity, or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Company is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.