Political Intern

1. Support political and electoral organizing efforts for Sierra Club-endorsed candidates through voter contact, canvassing, phone banking, and volunteer recruitment activities. Assist campaigns in engaging voters and mobilizing supporters during key election periods.

2. Assist with communications and media outreach efforts, including helping coordinate press conferences, drafting press materials, supporting social media content, and assisting with earned media strategy development.

3. Conduct policy, political, and campaign research related to environmental and public policy issues impacting Michigan communities. Help track legislation, candidate positions, and campaign developments.

4. Provide operational and administrative support to campaigns and Sierra Club political programs, including event support, data entry, office tasks, and coordination with volunteers and partner organizations.

• Interest in politics, public policy, community organizing, or environmental advocacy, with a desire to learn more about political campaigns and grassroots organizing.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with volunteers, campaign staff, and community members in fast-paced environments.

• Ability to work independently, take direction on projects, manage multiple responsibilities, and adapt to changing campaign priorities and timelines.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, email communication platforms, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

• Willingness to participate in campaign field activities, trainings, and occasional evening or weekend events as needed.

• Commitment to environmental justice, civic engagement, and building inclusive democratic participation across communities.

• Committed to evolution.You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.

• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

• Prior volunteer or internship experience on political campaigns, issue advocacy campaigns, or community organizing efforts.

• Knowledge of Michigan politics, elections, or environmental policy issues.

• Experience with graphic design, social media management, voter databases, or digital organizing tools.

Compensation
This internship is unpaid, but includes a $3,000 completion stipend intended to help offset food, transportation, and other related expenses. The stipend would be dispersed at the completion of the 4 month internship.  

Academic credit may be available depending on school requirements and advisor approval. 

This is a category 99 non-exempt, non-represented, temporary position.

Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

Applications will be accepted through July 31, 2026.