The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practice. As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of more than 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. Our members educate two out of every three students in all accredited, degree-granting U.S. institutions.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to engage with policymakers, higher education associations and institutions, and advocacy organizations. The Government Relations Intern will join a dynamic government relations team that advocates on and influences national policy on higher education and federal issues impacting member institutions. The intern works under the supervision of a Director of Government Relations/Intern Program Coordinator, in close coordination with the DGR SVP and the DGR team.

Essential Job Duties or Tasks :

• Conduct research on legislative issues related to the higher education community.
• Prepare summaries, memos, and briefs on relevant government relations topics for internal use and publication.
• Assist GR team in the development of advocacy materials, including fact sheets, policy papers, and talking points.
• Attend meetings, hearings, and public events as needed. This includes meetings with Congressional staff, Administration staff, college and university leaders, association and think tank staff, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in the work of the GR team with ACE's Public Affairs team as well as other units within the organization to advance ACE's broader goals in the media.
• Track key issues and prepare background information for GR senior staff.
• Maintain and update databases and other resources supporting ACE’s advocacy work.
• Have the opportunity to complete a capstone project on a topic related to ACE’s public policy agenda.
• Provide administrative support as needed, including scheduling meetings, organizing events, and managing correspondence.

Education/Experience/Specialized Knowledge and Competency Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at an ACE member institution.
• All majors welcome but require interest in higher education public policy issues.

Preferred:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with postsecondary education policy.
• Ability to listen critically, ask questions, and transform ideas into action steps.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to present publicly issues of importance to the organization.
• Experience contributing to a team.
• Experience interfacing and communicating with policy and institutional audiences.
• Evidence of strong writing, communication, and time management skills.

Working Conditions/Physical Effort:

Office environment; up to 25% travel anticipated once non-essential business travel resumes.

We require the selected candidate to live within a 100-mile radius of our building, located at One Dupont Circle NW, Washington, DC 20036.

The American Council on Education is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, genetic information, credit information or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)