Intergovernmental Affairs Intern job in Tukwila

CLOSING DATE: Continuous

HOW TO APPLY: Intergovernmental Affairs Intern

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is open until filled.  To ensure your consideration, completed applications should be submitted by Monday, November 29, 2022.
 
King County Housing Authority (KCHA), an independent municipal organization is a high performing nationally recognized leader in affordable housing. As one of the largest landlords in Western Washington, we transform lives through housing.
 
We are currently recruiting for an Intergovernmental Affairs Intern. This exciting position will monitor, analyze, strategize and coordinate legislative policy for the Association of Washington Housing Authorities for the 2023 legislative session.
 
Position Overview:
KCHA is a member of the Association of Washington Housing Authorities (AWHA) and co-facilitates its legislative committee. By participating in the implementation of AWHA's policy agenda, the successful candidate for this internship will gain an in-depth understanding of the work undertaken by public housing authorities. This internship includes the opportunity to network and learn from local affordable housing leaders in the Puget Sound region and throughout Washington State. Depending on the candidate's interest areas, the Intergovernmental Affairs Intern will leave the internship having completed a long-term and in-depth research, advocacy, or data analysis project that supports AWHA's policy agenda or its membership.
 
Specific work areas for the Intergovernmental Affairs Intern include:

• Supporting policy activities under the direction of the Co-Chairs of AWHA's legislative committee, particularly on work pertaining to the impact of legislation on housing authorities and low-income communities; 
• Researching and creating resources for PHAs related to innovative programming or policies being implemented in different communities; 
• Participating in and/or presenting during coalition meetings, policy briefings, conferences and other events relevant to AWHA's policy agenda; 
• Tracking, monitoring, researching, and preparing policy and/or advocacy materials related to affordable housing policy; 
• Creating visually appealing advocacy materials, including infographics and one-pagers, and highlighting resident stories, to support individual AWHA members in their advocacy. 

This role has been developed as an opportunity for students in public policy, political science, or other related fields to gain applied experience in local governmental processes and to deepen their understanding of legislative impacts on social policy. This internship provides a unique learning opportunity to participate in Washington affordable housing policy development; by the end of the internship, candidates will have a greater understanding of state legislative processes related to affordable housing policy and the role of local public housing authorities in these processes.
 
The position will be located at KCHA's Central Office in Tukwila, WA; however, the successful candidate will have the opportunity of working remotely over the course of the internship. Alternate work locations or full-time telecommuting options are available. This internship will last for up to 6 months with the possibility for extension. The successful candidate will commit to working 15-20 hours per week. Specific days of work are flexible and based on the candidate's availability. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Intergovernmental Affairs Intern will:

• Lead and facilitate weekly legislative committee conference calls; 
• Monitor and track legislative priorities throughout the state legislative session; 
• Support project planning for internal and extramural policy analysis and research; 
• Assist in preparing analyses of relevant legislative and regulatory documents; 
• Assist in creating materials and correspondence in support of legislative priorities; 
• Assist with quantitative or qualitative research projects on affordable housing topics, as directed; 
• Coordinate with team members, as appropriate; 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and current enrollment or recent graduate from a graduate level program in Public Policy, Political Science, or related field AND one year of work experience OR 
• Current enrollment in a graduate or undergraduate level degree program AND two years of work experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong written and verbal communications skills with the ability to clearly and effectively communicate with individuals and groups; ability to write clear and concise material for a variety of audiences and to display complex information in a graphically pleasing way is desirable. 
• Experience and expertise in the organization and effective translation of complex technical information including prioritizing, keeping track of information or work in progress, ensuring accuracy, multi-tasking, attention to detail, and time management skills. 
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word. 
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment exhibiting a strong work ethic and accountability in completing work. 
• Work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and educationally diverse populations; values diversity; treats other with respect. 

Special Requirements:

• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the first day of employment or have an approved medical or religious exemption and reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualifying individuals if the accommodations do not present an undue hardship. More information can be found by clicking the following link, COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements.
• Consent to and pass criminal records background check.

POSITION INFORMATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS:

Application Requirements: 
To be considered for this opportunity, you must:

• Complete the online application profile in its entirety. 
• Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter) 
• Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)

Physical Work Environment:
Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with occasional to moderate travel. The incumbent frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computers, telephone and related equipment and may drive a vehicle on Authority business.        
 
Equal Opportunity: 
King County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.