People and Culture Intern

People and Culture Intern 

Semester: Summer (June-August 2026)

Status: Part-time Temporary (10-20 hours per week)
Reports to: VP of People and Culture, Operations & Administrative Specialist

Stipend: $18.00/hour 

Location: Washington, DC or Remote Possible

ORGANIZATION

Issue One is the leading 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 reduce the influence of big money in politics, strengthen government ethics, bolster U.S. elections, and create a healthy online information environment that enhances our democracy.

POSITION

As a People and Culture Intern, you will play a vital role in supporting our DEI initiatives, promoting a culture of inclusion, and working collaboratively with our team to ensure an equitable and welcoming environment for all employees. You will have the opportunity to engage in various projects and programs, contributing to advancing our DEI goals and helping us foster an even more inclusive workplace. You will also be working directly with our Operations team on various different administrative tasks to help optimize workflows within the organization. 

Our interns are integral members of Issue One. We are a growing office where you will gain hands-on experience in research, communications, event planning, and much more. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

With guidance from the DEI committee, assist with the completion of our 2026 goals;

Work closely with the Culture and Finance Manager on organizing company events and professional development opportunities

Assist with rejuvenating and establishing Employee Resource Groups for those in the democracy-reform field; 

Work with the Ops Team to evaluate DEI efforts in a challenging political environment.

Plan the bi-monthly DEI Discussion Group, including selecting podcasts, articles, videos, or books that may be the topic of discussion and putting together questions to elevate the conversation; 

Start establishing relationships with potential partners as part of our talent pipeline-building initiatives and continue to make recommendations for improving recruitment and retention; 

Update our DEI dashboard that allows Issue One to monitor the successes or challenges of our various DEI efforts. 

Assist DEI committee with monthly meetings, including developing the agenda, taking meeting minutes, and sharing updates on any DEI-related news; 

Other Responsibilities TBD. Given our Human Resource Department’s fluid nature, duties are subject to change, and new responsibilities might be added based on the program's needs. Therefore, the intern must be able to adapt to program needs and remain optimistic when changes take place. 

REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion

Experience with Excel/Google Sheets to develop DEI dashboard and other measurement tools

Self-starter who can see projects through to completion

Commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable political system

Excellent written and verbal communications 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 10-20 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 Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, and Virginia. Remote opportunities outside of these states will not be available.

We anticipate this being a roughly 12-week internship, with a start date on or about Monday, June 1, through about Friday, August 28.

Intern Selection Timeline

March 2-13: Position is posted, and resumes are collected 

March 16-April 17: Interviews occur and a preferred candidate is selected. 

June 1: Internship begins.

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 March 3, 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 "apply for this job" in the top-right corner of this page. 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. It is our intent 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 service member 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.