Legislative & Public Policy Internship
About OVWA
Ohio Victim Witness Association (OVWA) is a statewide advocacy nonprofit committed to promoting, protecting, and upholding equal rights and fair treatment for victims and witnesses of crime. In fulfilling the mission, OVWA provides technical assistance to support direct services to victims of crime, promotes continuing education training, and collaborates in the development of criminal justice public policy. It is the responsibility of every OVWA employee, volunteer, intern, and organizational member to uphold the mission and purpose of the organization, to follow established ethical guidelines, and to maintain professional service practices which are culturally sensitive and inclusive.
Core Internship Responsibilities
The Legislative & Public Policy Intern will work alongside the Executive Director and Program Director to complete these tasks:
- Stays up-to-date on proposed legislation and past legislation
- Reviews proposed statewide legislation that would have an impact upon the safety and healing of survivors of crime
- Drafts a position statement on behalf of the agency, collaborating with pertinent partners, researching similar legislation and illustrative data, etc.
- Meets with OVWA staff and Legislative & Public Policy Committee to explain agency’s proposed stance; convenes meeting with Committee; prepares for meeting; takes notes
- Represents the position of the organization to OVWA members and the public regarding public policy issues
- Represents OVWA on various national, statewide, regional, and local boards, advisory committees, and focus groups as requested
- Collaborates with other organizations on pertinent public policy issues
- Conducts targeted outreach to individuals to serve on the Legislative & Public Policy Committee
- Fiscal: Documents tasks completed, hours interned, and as needed, completes timely service records and/or expenditure documentation
- Adhere to the philosophy, policies, and procedures of OVWA
- Adhere to the tenants of the NOVA Code of Professional Ethics and the NVASC Standards of Ethical Conduct for Victim Assistance Programs and Providers along with any ethics related to personal professional credentials
Additional Internship Tasks
Additional tasks are available to interns who would like to develop these skills.
- Presents verbal and written testimony at proposed legislation hearings
- Crafts messaging for newsletter and social media
- Explores opportunities to increase funding to victim services organizations (through state budget line item funding, court or other fees, etc.)
- Policy: assesses for and identifies unmet needs in terms of: best practice guidance, toolkits, sample policies and procedures, etc. and takes appropriate action to address the need (e.g., researches, develops, and disseminates resources)
- Provides technical assistance to OVWA members and non-members for general development of internal policies and procedures. Technical assistance includes telephone consultations and research and provision of resource materials.
- Requests feedback from partners on drafted documents and makes necessary changes
- Other tasks, as developed collaboratively between Executive or Program Director and Intern
Compensation: Internship is unpaid. Please contact us at info@ovwa.org if you are interested in earning college credit for your internship.
Hours: OVWA is open Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm. Interns should plan to work a set weekly schedule, but hours/days are flexible.
Location: Internship may be in person, remote, or a combination–with some travel to the statehouse required if intern seeks to gain testimony experience. OVWA offices are located in north Columbus and are not easily accessible by public transit. Offices are not ADA compliant.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor Degree (completed or in progress) in Political Science, Public Affairs, Criminology/Sociology, or related field
- Previous work, volunteer, or course experience in public policy and/or state legislation
- Excellent, professional written and oral communication skills
- Self-motivated work ethic with the ability to collaborate with others
- Strong research and critical thinking skills
- Public speaking experience desired but not required
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Windows, and Zoom
- Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
OVWA encourages applicants of diverse groups to apply and strives to provide equal internship opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.