National Partnerships Intern

Second Day; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 41,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Job summary

The Education Trust is seeking a National Partnerships Intern for Fall 2026 in Washington, DC, with up to 30 hours/week for about four months. The role focuses on supporting collaboration with national partners and coalitions to advance P-12 and higher education policy priorities.

The intern will assist in engagement strategies, develop materials for collaborations, and stay informed about priorities and partner products.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or completed; pursuing higher education preferred.
• Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) is required.
• General knowledge of education policy and the legislative process.
• Previous public policy, advocacy, or coalition-based internship/experience encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Assist Senior Director and Senior Associate to develop and execute engagement strategies for national partnerships in P-12 and higher education.
• Support materials to facilitate EdTrust collaborations with national partners and coalitions.
• Coordinate engagement with national partners and organize partnership-related information.
• Stay current on EdTrust priorities and partner products to inform strategies.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Written communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Team collaboration

Proactive

Education

High school diploma or GED

Currently pursuing higher education

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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National Partnerships Intern

Temporary Washington, DC, US

25 days ago Requisition ID: 1562

Salary Range: $19.00 To $30.00 Annually

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Education Trust (EdTrust) seeks an Intern to join the organization’s Strategic Initiatives & National Partnerships (SINP) team for Fall 2026. The National Partnerships Intern will support the SINP team’s collaboration with national partners and coalitions to advance EdTrust’s policy and advocacy priorities in P-12 and higher education. The National Partnerships Intern will coordinate, support, and accompany the SINP team in engagement with partner organizations and coalitions, as well as other teams within EdTrust.

EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.

This role, beginning in September 2026 and ending in January 2027, is based in our Washington, DC office, and may be eligible for some telework. Interns must reside in DC, Maryland, or Virginia during the internship and report to the EdTrust office within three (3) days of hire for employment verification. The National Partnerships Intern will report to the Strategic Initiatives & National Partnerships Senior Associate. This role is budgeted for up to 30 hours per week for approximately 4 months. Exact hours are negotiable.

ABOUT THE INTERN ROLE

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist the Senior Director and Senior Associate of National Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives to develop and execute effective engagement strategies to advance EdTrust’s P-12 and higher education policy priorities
• Work with the Senior Director and Senior Associate of National Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives to develop materials to support EdTrust’s collaborations with national partners and coalitions
• Coordinate engagement with national partners and coalitions and organize partnership-related information
• Stay current and knowledgeable on organizational priorities and recent products from EdTrust and our partners

IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Shared belief in EdTrust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity, with a focus on racial equity
• Willingness to receive and act upon constructive feedback
• Ability to organize, prioritize tasks, work collaboratively, and meet deadlines
• Strong communication skills, with a focus on writing
• Attention to detail and ability to multitask
• Ability to take initiative and be self-directed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will pos sess the following qualifications and experience:

• At least a high school diploma or GED, and enrolled in or completed a higher education degree program
• Experience using MS Office software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook
• General knowledge of education policy and the legislative process
• Previous experience or demonstrated interest in public policy, advocacy, or coalition-based work (e.g. internships with policy organizations, government offices, or advocacy groups)

COMPENSATION

The pay for this role ranges from $19/hr for undergraduate students and recent grads to $21-24/hr for graduate students and $25-30 for doctoral students. To maintain equity within our intern pay scale, we do not negotiate on intern pay rates; pay rates for internships are primarily determined based on level of education. Sick leave is accrued in this role.

EdTrust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.