Policy & Legislation Intern Sept 2026 - May 2027

This $3,000 stipend eligible position is for September 2026 - May 2027. Includes a $3000 stipend. Stipend is 4 payments over the 9-month term.

Supports efforts to advance components in the areas of civic and community engagement, legislative advocacy, public policy communications, education, self-advocacy and systems change.  Internship is hybrid in fall and in-person at the Capitol during the legislative session (spring 2027).  

Your Internship Role

Focus of this internship is on engagement with decision makers on The Arc’s state and federal policy priorities. We will work with you to find tasks that match what you like, help you learn new things, and fit your schedule. We will co-create your role with us. You will work with the Public Policy Team. Remote internship for the fall and in-person at the MN State Capitol for the spring term

Skills Needed

• Experience working on political campaigns and/or with elected officials
• Effective communication and people skills, comfortable making phone calls
• Effective organization skills with attention to detail and accuracy necessary
• Professional manners, dependable and can keep information confidential 
• Effective time management and problem-solving skills, excellent computer skills 
• Manages multiple tasks at the same time and follows a project through to completion 
• Multiple language capabilities preferred but not required
• Preference for people with a disability and/or lived experience with race and disability justice
• Will work with and have respect for people of all backgrounds
• Can work efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment
• Awareness of issues impacting Minnesotans with disabilities 
• Experience in self-advocacy committee and/or Partners in Policymaking preferred
• Willingness to learn, be coached and be mentored
• Commitment to social, racial, disability and economic justice and their intersections

Responsibilities

• Connect and collaborate with decision makers to accomplish civic engagement goals 
• Create and strengthen disability policy focused coalitions 
• Coordinate legislative engagement efforts to evaluate opportunities and impact
• Engage in outreach and education about The Arc mission, legislative agenda and policy priorities with policy makers and their staff
• Support issue-specific research and data collection on policy related matters
• Sign up for bill introductions and track bills in human services, special education, etc.
• Assist with research and drafting public comments on disability-related issues
• Build and strengthen relationships with Minnesota’s congressional delegation and their staff to support organization’s policy efforts 
• Build and strengthen relationships with The Arc U.S. policy staff in federal policy efforts
• Assist with logistics and coordination of policy events like in-district events, town hall and candidate forums, info sessions, visits with decision makers, etc.
• Coordinate federal legislative engagement efforts with; evaluate opportunities and impact
• Attend committee hearings, news conferences, and disability advocacy meetings/events 
• Support and advance policy and systems advocacy workshops, webinars, and training 
• Gather issue-specific stories from stakeholders and share with decision makers
• Attend policy related events as schedule allows
• Other duties as requested

What You Will Learn and Gain

• $3000 stipend; two payments of $750 between Sept – Dec and two payments of $750 between Jan – May 
• Gain knowledge of public policies important to the disability community 
• Build experience with the legislative process and with interacting with decision makers
• Advocate in partnership with Minnesota’s disability community on systems change
• Engage with constituents and elected government officials at state and federal levels
• Deepen community engagement and communications skills
• Apply knowledge of services, policies, and programs important to the disability community
• Increase utilization of technology and communications platforms (email, social media, etc.)
• Learn individual and systems advocacy skills and importance of story telling
• Gain a working knowledge of person-centered thinking, planning, and application
• Invited to training opportunities for professional development
• Learn about The Arc’s core values: human rights, equity, self-advocacy, and justice

Time Commitment

• Internship is from September 2026 – May 2027, will work with you on scheduling
• 10-15 hours per week, can do more hours for academic reasons
• Work will be online with some in-person opportunities
• Remote internship for the fall and in-person at the MN State Capitol for the spring term
• Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm, with evening and weekend events possible

The Arc Minnesota is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to promote and protect the human rights of people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through statewide programs and services, we help people navigate systems while working to advance social change centered in justice, equity, and belonging in community.