About IAVA

Summer 2013 Internships

IAVA is looking for highly motivated Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, veteran’s family members, and civilian supporters to fill openings in our internship program in New York City and Washington, DC. This is your chance to learn how to effectively advocate on behalf of the 2.5 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans nationwide.

Requirements

• All candidates must be eligible to receive academic credit from their college or university.
• Consult with your career office or academic advisor to determine eligibility prior to applying. (Recent graduates - check in with your school's career office or academic advisor to determine if you are eligible for a 'zero credit' option)
• Commit a minumum of 20 hours per week.
• Email internships@iava.org with additional questions.
• Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed.

Program Dates

• Applications are due by Monday, April 15, 2013.
• Summer Program begins June 3 and ends August 15.
• Mandatory Orientation will take place from June 3-5. 
• IAVA is an equal opportunity employer. 
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• VETERANS OF THE CONFLICTS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

New York City Internships

• Marketing Intern
• Graphic and Web Design Intern
• Program Intern
• Online Community Intern
• Development Intern
• Salesforce Administration Intern
• Operations Intern

Washington, D.C. Internships

• Advocacy Intern
• Research Intern

Qualifications for all positions:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines; detail oriented
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Comfortable working in an office environment
• Dedication to serving OIF/OEF vets
• Sense of humor

Marketing Intern

IAVA’s Marketing Department is a new department within the organization, responsible for IAVA marketing strategy and brand consistency across all communications platforms. There are two components of the department: 1) Marketing Communications (marketing and advertising quality, consistency and style across IAVA communications platforms); and 2) Market Research (organization, constituent, collaborator and context research). The Marketing Intern will report to the Marketing Director.

The Marketing Intern will:

• Learn how the marketing team will consolidate and catalog how we the organization communicates different products and programs to our constituents (veterans, supporters, donors, foundations, partners, celebrities) as well as internally.
• Learn how to conduct market research on where our constituencies receive their content, how we can better reach them and help map out a set of marketing best practices for the organization.
• Have an opportunity for real-life project management experience in a small-team environment.

The Marketing Intern should possess:

• Excellent communication (written, graphical, verbal, etc). Please provide a writing sample in your cover letter and resume upload.
• An analytical mind and ability to learn various platforms to conduct market research.
• Graphic design experience a plus.
• Flexibility, dedication to mission, and a robust sense of humor - we are a rapidly growing organization, and one that is presented with many unique, interesting and exciting opportunities on a regular basis.

Click here to apply >

Graphic and Web Development Intern

Using the most innovative tools, IAVA’s Digital Engagement Department is a leader in new media, technology and online organizing. In this position, you will learn how to manage and grow of IAVA’s digital products and properties through web development on our CMS platform (Drupal). We're looking for a student developer with a hunger for learning, content development and social change. The Graphic and Web Development Intern will report to the Digital Engagement Director.

The Graphic and Web Development Intern will:

• Learn how develop new webpages and graphics for IAVA.org and our related micro-sites (NewGIBill.org, TheRucksack.org), using original materials and materials provided by our marketing team.
• Build the skills necessary to tackle technical problems large and small, from building a new digital campaign center to editing the way a link displays on a blog post.
• Have the opportunity to participate in the creation of content for a variety of external use, including webpages, email communication, social media and mobile applications.
  Build individual skill base within the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and Illustrator primarily), Drupal, CSS and XHTML.
• Learn how to take UX/UI challenges and present comprehensive, innovative solutions.
• Maximize the use of Google analytics and user testing tools in everyday work.
• Have the opportunity to attend relevant trade lectures and talks in the NYC area.
  

The Graphic and Web Development Intern should possess:

• Basic development skills in HTML, CSS, Javascript and Drupal
• Strong writing and editing skills
• A positive attitude
• Resourceful, innovative forward thinking
• Ability to work well with others, with a sense of humor and professional demeanor
• Enthusiasm for social media and online organizing

Click here to apply >

Program Intern
IAVA’s Program team strives to build an empowered generation of veterans who provide leadership for our country and their local communities. We work toward this vision through programs in four key impact areas: supporting new veterans in Health, Education, Employment and building a lasting Community for veterans and their families.
IAVA’s programs empower and support our community both online and offline, expand our reach and allow our organization to make a deeper and lasting impact on veterans and their families for years to come. The Program Intern will report to the Program Director. 

The Program Intern will:

• Learn how develop and execute key programs offered to IAVA's membership
• Gain exposure to relationships and opportunity to work with Fortune 500 companies and leaders in the veteran, nonprofit, and corporate space
• Provide assistance at IAVA membership events
• Maintain a pulse on the day-to-day needs and concerns of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans
• Conduct daily and weekly research and analysis of IAVA's impact, using Salesforce, Google, and other tools.
• Learn how to develop digital content (photo, video, social media) to build and promote the organization's programs
• Assist with the rewards distribution and management of IAVA's Rucksack

The Program Intern should possess:

• Excellent organization skills
• Resourceful, innovative forward thinking
• Ability to work well with others, with a sense of humor and professional demeanor
• A positive attitude and a passion for veterans issues and community organizing

Click here to apply >

Online Community Intern

Community of Veterans (CoV) is the first and largest online social network exclusively for paperwork-confirmed Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. CoV provides its more than 24,000 members with access to message boards, affinity groups, resources, and live chats with experts on a range of issues – especially those related to mental health. CoV provides veterans with a safe space to share what they’re going through with others who “get it” because they’ve been there too. An informal peer-to-peer support system and means of connecting with resources and experts, CoV is an invaluable gathering space for veterans grappling with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injuries, depression, and even thoughts of suicide.

The Online Community Intern will be responsible for supporting the IAVA Programs department to promote engagement within CoV through outreach and communications with members, posting content and resources, and scheduling live chats and other events. The Online Community Intern will report to the Senior Program Manager.

The Online Community Intern will:

• Interact with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans online and off by conducting outreach to promote CoV sign-ups at IAVA events and interacting with veteran members in CoV
• Learn about methods for digital outreach and engagement, through drafting social media announcements and blog posts, and through planning and executing online events, such as webinars and live chats
• Learn about mental health issues affecting this generation of veterans and gain exposure to key resources
• Enhance skills in data analysis by monitoring and reporting on trends among CoV member needs and interests
• Assist with creating and executing a crisis prevention and response system within CoV

The Online Community Intern should possess:

• Excellent organization skills
• Strong communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work well with others and independently, with a sense of humor and a professional demeanor
• A positive attitude and a passion for veterans issues and community building

Special Qualification Requirement

To maintain the integrity of the CoV site, the Program Intern, CoV must be a veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan. Evidence of service, such as DD214 forms, will need to be provided before an offer is finalized. 

Click here to apply >

Development Intern

The Development Department is responsible and leads all fundraising for IAVA, raising revenue from individual donations, foundation grants, special events, corporate contributions and sponsorships, and earned income. The Development Intern will have a unique opportunity to gain experience in both sides of development – foundations and individual giving – and to work one-on-one with professional staff experienced in both fields. The Development Intern will report to the Development Director.

The Development Intern will:

• Have the opportunity to learn about the fundraising process, from individual donors, institutional partners, major US foundations and major corporations.
• Develop skills in researching prospective foundations and individual donors.
• Learn how to, and assist in, the drafting of: proposals, reports, donor cultivation letters, thank you letters, and other donor communications.
• Get hands on learning in the planning and production of fundraising events as well as assist with scheduling for development travel.
• Learn critical fundraising, marketing and administrative skills applicable in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, while contributing to meaningful social change.

The Development Intern should possess:

• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Personal qualities such as: sensitivity, flexibility, and a good sense of humor.
• Computer and software knowledge, including MS Office. Experience in working with databases and mail merge will also be beneficial.
• Salesforce experience is a plus.

Click here to apply >

Salesforce Administration Intern

IAVA is looking for a smart, eager and technically gifted person to join our Information Systems team in helping us manage our data and online systems. The Salesforce Administration Intern will work directly with the Salesforce Architect to support IAVA’s innovative and growing Salesforce Constituent Relationship Management. The Salesforce Administration Intern will report to the Salesforce Architect.

The Salesforce Administration Intern will:

• Support the ongoing development and data integrity of IAVA's constituent database (based in Salesforce.com).
• Assist in the creation and enforcement of organization-wide protocols for proper use of the database.
• Work with staff in all departments to find and implement database solutions to business challenges.
• Training staff and volunteers on proper use of our technology systems.
• Ensuring data cleanliness and security.
• Integrating Salesforce with third party systems, such as Conga Composer, Geopointe.
• Some coding, to create web forms, build webpage templates, etc.
• Working closely with content creators and online organizers to build amazing, innovative online experiences for our members.

The Salesforce Administration intern should possess:

• Experience with databases, Salesforce experience a major plus
• Organized, analytical, methodical
• A service orientation -- patient, helpful, and ready to teach other staff how to use our tech tools most effectively.
• Passionate about finding technical solutions to organizational challenges.
• Obsessed with accuracy.
• A desire to innovate.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to prioritize and juggle many requests, sometimes under pressure.
• Experience with any of the following a plus: FormAssembly, Predictive Response, Conga Composer, Data Loader, DemandTools, Camtasia
• Interest in emerging IT and online organizing trends.
• Experience with Content Management Systems (we use Drupal, primarily).
• Web development experience a plus, though not absolute necessity.
• Strong desire to serve our returning men and women in uniform.

Click here to apply >

Operations Intern

The Operations Division houses the Financial, Operations, Information Systems and Human Capital Departments. The Operations Intern would support the financial processes, HR practices, and office management of IAVA’s NY headquarters. This internship is ideal for anyone entering non-profit management studies, as the Operations Intern would gain insight as to the internal workings of all aspects of IAVA’s processes and systems. The Operations Intern will report to the Finance and Operations Director. 

The Operations Intern will:

• Learn how to manage and assist with organizational finances
• Develop skills necessary for the research, reconciliation and documentation of contributions, including in-kind, online and events contributions
• Aid in the production of staff development events
• Learn how to assist in the management of member and supporter communications 
• Help develop and maintain vendor relations
• Learn the skills necessary to support IT integration and processes

The Operations Intern should possess:

• Strong organization and problem solving skills - solution-oriented
• Excellent time management
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Professional, upbeat attitude
• Excellent customer service skills
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
• Basic facility with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work independently, prioritize and multi-task

Click here to apply >

Washington, DC Internships

Advocacy Intern
IAVA’s Policy Department is the face and voice of veterans on Capitol Hill. This team has been instrumental in the most significant veterans’ advocacy victories, winning major battles in Congress (like the GI Bill), helping thousands of veterans nationwide, and making national headlines daily. The Advocacy intern will have the opportunity to assist the legislative team in building relationships with Congressional offices and coordinate with allied advocacy organizations. The Advocacy Intern will report to the Political Director.

The Advocacy Intern will:

• Obtain an understanding of how policy is formed and practiced.
• Learn how to track and analyze new legislation.
• Learn how to study, draft, and (possibly) publish briefs, blogs and papers on current issues facing veterans.
• Have an opportunity to attend meetings on Capitol Hill, illustrating firsthand how Congressional hearings, events and conferences work.
• Receive overviews of IAVA’s internal systems in order to effectively learn how to maintain database and data input.
• Help represent IAVA to the public and policy community.

The Advocacy Intern should possess:

• Excellent organization and leadership skills
• Clear, thoughtful, precise, and quick writing skills
• A strong interest in public speaking and media
• Knowledge of veterans’ affairs or related issues
• A strong desire for experience in advocacy, on Capitol Hill, or with/within the federal government
• Flexibility, dedication to mission, and a robust sense of humor - we are a rapidly growing organization, and one that is presented with many unique, interesting and exciting opportunities on a regular basis.

Click here to apply >

Research Intern
As part of IAVA’s policy department, the research team researches the diverse array of issues confronting the newest generation of veterans and offers public policy solutions to these challenges. The team ensures that IAVA always has the best and most meaningful data about Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It serves as an internal research service while also producing issue reports, blog posts and other analysis of the issues facing today’s veterans. Our issue reports offer the most comprehensive, and easy to understand, analysis and policy recommendations on the urgent issues facing new veterans. In this position, you will assist with maintaining the most up-to-date information, and researching and writing about a host of issues. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to learn how to do policy research and turn ideas and numbers into action. The Research Intern will report to the Research Director.

The Research Intern will:

• Learn how policy research is done, from gathering and analyzing data to developing a final product.
• Learn how to do rapid reaction and response research.
• Learn about the issues confronting today’s generation of veterans and potentially pick an area to develop more expertise.
• Have an opportunity to attend meetings on Capitol Hill and around DC, observing firsthand how Congressional hearings, events and conferences work.
• Learn how to research, draft, and (possibly) publish briefs, blogs and papers on current issues facing veterans.

The Research Intern should possess:

• Excellent research and organizational skills
• Clear, thoughtful, precise, and quick writing skills
• Knowledge of or interest in veterans’ affairs or related issues
• A strong desire to do policy research
• Flexibility, dedication to mission, and a robust sense of humor - we are a rapidly growing organization, and one that is presented with many unique, interesting and exciting opportunities on a regular basis.

Click here to apply >

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IAVA is an equal opportunity employer. VETERANS OF THE CONFLICTS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Please note: Because of the high volume of applications that we anticipate receiving, we appreciate your patience through this process.

Thank you for your interest! We look forward to hearing from you soon.