Legislative/Political Internship Program (Los Angeles)

About The United Farm Workers of America (UFW):  Founded in 1962 by Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers of America is the nation's first successful and largest farm workers union currently active in 10 states. The UFW continues to organize in major agricultural industries across the nation. Recent years have witnessed dozens of key UFW union contract victories, among them the largest strawberry, rose, winery and mushroom firms in California and the nation. 75 percent of California's mushroom industry is now under union contract. In 2007, the United Farm Workers signed its first contract with Salinas, Calif.-based D'Arrigo Bros., California's third-largest vegetable company. The agreement covers 1,800 farm workers in the Salinas and Imperial valleys. The UFW signed a contract, also in 2007, with Three Mile Canyon Farms, America's largest dairy-and the first major union contract protecting farm workers in Oregon. They soon signed up another nearby dairy, Willow Creek. Many recent UFW-sponsored laws and regulations aide farm workers; in California, the first state regulation in the U.S. prevents further heat deaths of farm workers. The UFW is also pushing its historic bipartisan and broadly backed immigration reform bill.

Position Title:  UFW Political Department Intern

Position Description:  The selected intern will assist the UFW California Political Director to compile and analyze data from city, state, and federal campaigns for the purposes of assisting the decision making of the UFW.

Interns will gain a better understanding of the intricacies of campaign work and how research is used as a vital tool in leveraging campaigns.  This internship is designed to educate college students about larger themes one can expect to gain by working on a political campaign, such as; experience in negotiations, fundraising, public speaking, comparative thought, research analysis skills, and confidence-building.

Eligible Applicants:  Current college students.

Skills Required:  Good writing and research, attention to detail, organization, ability to work independently or with a team, self starter.  PLEASE NOTE that there is a great deal of flexibility and responsibility in this internship.  Only candidates who are highly motivated and capable of working independently in unstructured team environments are encouraged to apply. It will be the responsibility of the interns to produce vital research material that will enable the UFW in both present and future campaigning techniques that will convey the message of the UFW to the largest audience. 
General Interests:  Politics, labor history, agricultural policy.

Benefits:  Flexible hours and friendly work environment.  No compensation is provided, but, some travel may be involved.

Application Procedure:  Submit a cover letter and resume to the email or mailing address listed.

Application Deadline:  Rolling.

Length of Internship:  Candidates are encouraged to apply for one semester, but longer stints are available.

Location:  Los Angeles, CA

Mailing Address: Mail or email materials to the following address.

United Farm Workers
4545 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Office: (323) 263-2800
Fax: (323) 263-2807

Inquiries:  Please direct questions regarding the internship program to Patti Aviles, paviles@ufw.org.  For more information about the UFW, visit our website at www.ufw.org