Apply for GCDD's Public Policy and Advocacy Fellowship!
GCDD is seeking a dynamic individual to join GCDD as its 2021-2022 Public Policy and Advocacy Fellow! This paid, six-month opportunity is a great opportunity for an individual to promote and support public policy efforts that aim to create an integrated community life for people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors and all who support them.
The fellowship will be from November 1, 2021 - April 29, 2022. Applications are due on August 31, 2021 by 11:59 PM. For more on the fellowship and how to apply, read the complete position description below.
Position Description
The fellow will assist GCDD in their efforts during Georgia’s 2022 legislative session, as well as GCDD’s federal advocacy efforts. The fellow is expected to demonstrate a commitment to disability inclusion, as well as a respect for disability at the intersection of multiple identities, including racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender identities. Due to COVID-19, this fellowship will be a hybrid experience, primarily remote with the understanding that some in-person obligations might take place during Georgia’s legislative session. However, in-person obligations can be negotiated based on the fellow’s needs. Given the virtual nature of the fellowship, the fellow is expected to be on-call and able to complete tasks during the fellow’s work hours. The fellow is also expected to have access to their own computer and telephone.
The fellowship is a 20-hour per week commitment, starting Monday, November 1st and ending Friday, April 29th. The typical schedule will be Monday-Friday 10-2 (or 10-3 if the fellow wishes to take 1-hour lunch break). The fellow must be flexible for earlier start/end times depending on the nature of policy events. For example, during Georgia’s legislative session, the fellow will be expected to attend events that begin at 8am.
Pay rate is flexible. The base pay will start at $15 per hour and will be commensurate with demonstrated experience.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Track legislation related to the Public Policy Agenda and prepare updates for the GCDD staff
- Attend critical committee meetings during Georgia’s legislative session and prepare updates for the GCDD staff
- Assist in planning and implementation of GCDD’s advocacy initiatives
- Conduct local outreach to engage grassroots advocates to support GCDD’s policy agenda
- Attend and participate in all Council meetings that take place during the internship
- Assist in developing policy materials, including one-pagers, white papers, and advocacy communications
- Take lead on drafting the April Public Policy for the People article in GCDD’s Making a Difference Magazine
Benefits of Internship:
- Developing knowledge of Georgia’s legislative process
- Increasing public policy knowledge regarding disability issues
- Building and strengthening relationships with legislators, state agency staff, and policy staffers of other Georgia organizations
- Expanding one’s network within the disability community
- Working on a team of knowledgeable experts in policy, advocacy, social media, and media relations
Required Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function as a member of a team
- Dependable, thorough, and attentive to details
- Interacts and establishes rapport with diverse individuals and groups
- Prioritize, execute, and shift between multiple assignments and projects while meeting deadlines
- Prior experience in policy advocacy (e.g., previous participation in GCDD advocacy days or other similar trainings/opportunities)
- Demonstrates initiative and the ability to work independently
- Demonstrated commitment to and engagement with advocacy
GCDD is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Charlie Miller at and/or Alyssa Lee at by 11:59pm, August 31st.
