Fellowship Opportunities

Fall 2024 Fellowships: Civic Engagement Fellowship and Communications & Operations Fellowship

About the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania:

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic engagement organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to people 16 years and older, of all gender identities. With 104 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations. We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate in government.

About the Fellowship Experience:

LWVPA is pleased to offer a four-month fellowship opportunity beginning in September 2024, with possibility for extension. A Fellow will come aboard at an exciting time for the League. We’re heading into a busy fall election cycle, and the LWVPA is well positioned to advance our democracy initiatives, taking on critical voting rights issues, as well as policy issues like gerrymandering, government responsiveness, and voting rights to name a few. Organizationally, we are witnessing a chapter of growth, and are seeking talented fellows to add to our capacity; a strong communication strategy is crucial in this endeavor.

This position will be remote. Fellows will commit to work approximately 15 hours/week for 3 - 4 months, to be determined in cooperation with the Executive Director, and will be supervised by the Executive Director. The fellowship positions are ideal for graduate students or recent graduates. For Fellows without access to institutional funding or school credit, LWVPA offers a modest stipend for the duration of the fellowship.

LWVPA Commitment to Equity:

LWVPA is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all communities and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy. LWVPA is committed to fostering the leadership and elevating the voices of women, young people, people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, low-income people, LGBQ+, and transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people, people with disabilities, young parents, people who were formerly incarcerated and people living in the many intersections of these experiences. We encourage individuals from these communities to apply.

Application Process

Please submit a resume and cover letter to amy.widestrom@palwv.org by Friday, August 23, 2024. Your cover letter should describe how your experience aligns with the expectations of this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Applications submitted by August 23 will be given priority consideration.

Fall 2024 Fellowship Opportunities:

Position Expectations And Requirements
The Civic Engagement Fellowship is ideal for someone with a passion for voter engagement and local elections. Through this experience, a fellow will hone their writing and communications skills and be able to communicate important election information to the public and members of the League across the state.
The Fellow will support the Executive Director and the Board of Directors on the following functions:
- Assist the League in developing an equitable and inclusive civic engagement strategy that is reflective of Pennsylvania voters
- Attend and support our statewide Voter Services Committee on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm, including opening and managing the meeting via Zoom, distributing the meeting agenda, facilitating presentations at the meeting, and other tasks as necessary
- Communicate election updates via social media, LWVPA’s website, and our organizational newsletter
- Write press releases communicating LWVPA voter services activities
- Created branded communication materials using basic design tools
- Maintain and update the LWVPA website, as needed
- Provide general administrative support, as needed
The Civic Engagement Fellow should have the following skills:
- Passion for LWVPA’s mission and a personal and professional commitment to equity
- Ability to work independently in a remote team environment
- Strong writing and communication skills
- Basic knowledge of Pennsylvania government and elections
- Experience with organizational use of social media
- Experience with SquareSpace is preferred, but not required.
- Experience with basic graphic design platforms like Canva is preferred, but not required.
Position Expectations and Requirements
The Communications and Operations fellowship is ideal for someone with a passion for civic education and communication, as well as state government and policy advocacy work. Through this experience, a fellow will hone their writing and communications skills and be able to communicate important civic and policy information to the public and members of the League across the state primarily through digital and print communication.
The Fellow will support the Executive Director and the Board of Directors on the following functions:
- Communicate organizational messaging, as well as voter services, policy, and organizational updates via social media, LWVPA’s website, and the organizational newsletter
- Assist in creating and implementing League social media strategy
- Assist in writing press releases communicating LWVPA activities
- Created branded communication materials using basic design tools
- Maintain and update the LWVPA website
- Assist with the planning and implementation of programs essential to the operations of LWVPA, focusing specifically on communicating these programs across Pennsylvania
- Provide general administrative support, as needed
The Communications & Operations Fellow should have the following skills:
- Passion for LWVPA’s mission and a personal and professional commitment to equity
- Ability to work independently in a remote team environment
- Strong writing and communication skills
- Basic knowledge of Pennsylvania government and the legislative process
- Experience with organizational use of social media and creating innovative content
- Experience with SquareSpace preferred, but not required.
- Experience with basic graphic design platforms like Canva is preferred, but not required.