Election Research Intern - Part time

Lehigh Valley Public Media; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh Valley Public Media is seeking a detail-oriented researcher to examine voting records, sponsored legislation, and public positions of candidates across six policy topics. You will track incumbents' votes, flag introducing legislation, and review challengers’ statements to map positions before the election.

The role requires gathering data from campaigns, public records, and media sources, with output delivered as structured research files for editor review.

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented researcher with strong source validation.
• Knowledge about political campaigns and research.
• Familiarity with public media or similar organizations.

Responsibilities

• Research voting records, sponsored legislation, and public positions of candidates across six topics.
• Track how incumbents voted on relevant bills and flag any legislation they introduced or co-sponsored.
• For challengers with prior local-government experience, research any related legislation.
• Review campaign websites, social media, and public statements for stated positions.
• Note where no public record exists on a given topic.
• Flag gaps and assist with follow-up outreach or interview questions.
• Produce structured research files per candidate/topic summarizing findings.

Job description

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

• Research the voting records, sponsored legislation, and public positions of the 20 candidates running in the Lehigh Valley's 10 competitive state House races, across six topics: ICE/Immigration, Data Centers, Energy, Housing, Education Funding, and Marijuana. Findings feed candidate profiles and voter guide content ahead of the fall election.

RESPONSIBILITIES (Tasks):

• Incumbents
  • Identify key bills tied to each of the six topics (editor-assigned, hands-on for this part)
  • Track how each incumbent voted on those bills
  • Flag any legislation the incumbent introduced or co-sponsored addressing these topics
• Challengers
  • For candidates with prior local-government experience (Jeff Warren, 137th; Ce-Ce Gerlach and possibly Robert Smith, 22nd), research any legislation or measures they introduced at that level touching the six topics
  • Review campaign websites, social media, and public statements for stated positions on each topic
  • Note where no public record exists on a given topic
• Gaps and follow-up
  • Flag candidates/topics with no paper trail
  • Assist with follow-up outreach or interview questions when direct records aren't available (editor will determine format, phone/in-person preferred over email)

Output

• Structured research files per candidate/topic (format to be provided), summarizing sourced findings for editor review and further reporting.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

KEY COMPETENCY COMPONENTS (Behaviors Exhibited):

• SKILLS: (Ability to use knowledge effectively and competently in execution)
  • A detail-oriented researcher.
• KNOWLEDGE: (Facts acquired by a person through experience or education)
  • Knowledge about political campaigns and research.
  • Knowledge experience with Public Media or similar organizations.
• EXPERIENCE: (Work experience, degree attainment, professional certifications)
  • Working toward Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
• TRAITS: (Distinguishing qualities of a person)
  • A creative team-player that can build and execute an event strategy that meets our organizational goals.
• CHARACTERISTICS: (The special trait that makes a person unique)
  • A passionate ambassador, able to inspire and engage the broader community with the organization’s mission.

OTHER WORK REQUIREMENTS:

• May be asked to work longer hours and occasional weekends with short notice.
• As you will/may be driving a company vehicle or your own vehicle for company business, a valid driver’s license and a good driving record as determined by a driver’s license background check is required for this position.
• All team members must successfully pass a background check (7 years), FBI fingerprint clearance and PA child clearance.