Trust Women Winter/Spring 2015 Legislative Internships, Wichita, KS

Winter/Spring 2015 Legislative Internships

Posted on: February 9, 2015
Posted by: Trust Women

Trust Women is a dynamic, emerging non-profit that focuses on facilitating reproductive freedom in the Midwest and the South. Founded by Julie Burkhart in memory of her dear friend and mentor, the late Dr. George Tiller, Trust Women seeks to honor his life's work by bringing direct services to the middle of the country, as well as addressing issues of access with a reproductive justice perspective through opening reproductive health clinics, educational and community outreach, as well as political advocacy.

We are seeking motivated, take-charge interns who aren't afraid to take the reins and make their own path. To become a Trust Women intern, applicants must be hard-working and dedicated, with a passion for reproductive justice and openness to learning. In turn, interns will be provided with the opportunity to make a lasting impact on an organization that is making historical gains in an area of the country in need of innovative and adventurous organizing. (We also provide class credit!)

Virtual & Traditional Internships

Because we focus on advocacy in the middle of the country, we understand, more than anyone, the importance of remote organizing, which is why we offer a virtual internship option. Virtual interns are required to work a minimum of 10 hours a week in addition to participating in weekly intern Google Hangouts. During their 10 hours, interns must make themselves available to their supervisor and do regular check-ins. We try to structure our virtual internships in such a way that our interns are able to have a fulfilling and educational experience, with the flexibility of working from miles away.

Trust Women also offers traditional in-house internships for interns local to the Wichita, Kansas metro area, as well as interns from outside the area who are able to relocate for the summer. We will also offer home stay arrangements for interns who relocate from outside the metro area. Local interns must work a minimum of 10 hours. Interns with home stay arrangements will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours.

Duties & Requirements 

 Attend important votes and hearings as schedule permits

 Update list of legislators and position on choice

 Track choice related legislation on the federal and state level

 Assist Trust Women lobbyist as necessary

 Assist Communications Team with legislative updates for weekly blogs/emails

 Maintain legislative scorecard through tracking of legislation

 Participate in coalition calls and meetings in Oklahoma or Kansas as needed

Requirements

 Knowledge of Oklahoma or Kansas state government, particularly the legislative process

 Ability to read and summarize bills

 Be able to attend important votes and hearings as much as possible

 Preference will be given to candidates with political science or legal education or training

 Strong written and spoken communication skills

 Self-motivated and directed

 Able to work on multiple projects at a time

 Ability to meet deadlines and new challenges as they arise

 Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite products

 Ability to navigate state and federal legislative websites

 Kansas legislative intern will need to live in Kansas, preferably within travel distance of Topeka.

 Oklahoma legislative intern will need to live in Oklahoma, preferably within travel distance of Oklahoma City.

 Virtual legislative intern can work from anywhere.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send the following items to lbourke@itrustwomen.org:

 Cover letter

 Resume

 Three references

Operations Coordinator, Center on Halsted, Chicago, IL

Operations Coordinator

Posted on: August 8, 2013
Posted by: Center on Halsted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Be a proactive member of the operations team at Center on Halsted (COH), the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Community Center in the Midwest. Ensure that the daily activities, events and meetings of the Center run smoothly. Identify, resolve and effectively communicate foreseeable operational problems, particularly infrastructural issues. Assist with the setup of events, including assisting with arranging furniture, checking out equipment and setting up AV systems. Respond to hostile clients and emergencies. Demonstrate cultural competency when interacting with members of the LGBTQ community. When needed, effectively converse with other staff in order to ensure that programs and services are successful. Monitor the performance of and coach the contracted cleaning company, reception, and contracted security. Promptly complete assigned daily activities and directives. Prioritize projects. As needed, complete required paperwork.

JOB DUTIES

Building Maintenance and Routine Duties:

• Inspect and maintain the overall appearance of the building and grounds; ensure that the building is clean and safe at all times; provide direction as needed to reception
• Regularly visit the public spaces in the building; address security, cleaning and maintenance issues as they arise; report any such issues in the required daily report
• Complete morning and closing checklists and other assigned projects; return completed checklist forms to the Director of Operations
• Monitor the performance of the contracted cleaning company and coach as needed
• When necessary, conduct minor fixes and repairs to damaged areas throughout building and grounds, including some relevant equipment at COH
• As needed, setup and conduct post-cleanup for scheduled venues at COH, such duties can include the following: deliver refreshments and food; setup and take-down of bars; move, arrange, and/or remove furniture; setup and take down of AV equipment; general cleaning duties; review of inventory of items used for event; inspect the space of the event for damaged areas; organize and clean areas, etc.
• Learn and then, demonstrate how to setup and use AV equipment, theatre equipment, gym equipment, and technology including ability to setup laptops, transfer computer files as well as building tasks, e.g. maintaining the gray water system; ability to work without supervision is essential; when necessary, train other staff on these tasks

Communication Duties:

• Maintain positive communications with other COH personnel and individuals and/or their respective organizations; ensure successful communication with other invested stakeholders, such as individuals/organizations that are interested in renting space at COH
• As needed, evaluate, prioritize, respond to, and follow-up with the requests of relevant stakeholders so as to (1) ensure successful customer satisfaction, and (2) ensure that all relevant policies at COH are adhered to
• Communicate relevant problems, particularly infrastructural problems, to other operational staff (such communication will include sending effective emails and by noting them on a "punch list"); as appropriate, take corrective actions to address such problems
• When necessary, communicate with the contracted cleaning company's administrative designee(s) and/or staff members, along with the operations staff at COH, in order to address and resolve any problems as they relate to the provision of successful cleaning services
• Communicate to staff and the patrons at COH relevant policies

Duties Related to Responding to Critical Incidents:

• As they occur, respond to hostile clients and/or other emergencies; at times, participate in mediation meetings with suspended individuals; coach new security staff and ensure expectations are met
• Be knowledgeable about general building systems and precautions (plumbing, fire, mechanical and electric); when necessary, execute and lead building evacuation procedures
• Ensure Center clients and patrons adhere to the Center's Code of Conduct policy

WORK WEEK

This part time position offers between 22.5 and 30 hours a week. Normally shifts are 7 ½ hours in length, either opening from 8a-3p or closing from 3p-10p but may vary depending on our needs. Flexibility is critical as we have needs for daytime, nighttime, and weekend shifts. This position is generally scheduled for 3 or 4 days weekly, contingent on needs.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Action Oriented – enjoys working hard and looks for challenges; able to act and react as necessary, even when limited information is available; not afraid to take charge of a situation;
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and commitment to the mission of Center on Halsted
• Flexible and able to multi-task; can work in ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while making sure that the objectives for the day are achieved
• Lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender sensitivity; should be able to act in a culturally competent manner when interacting with diverse clientele
• Strong written and Oral Communication skills – ability to identify and communicate problems when necessary
• Ability to lift no more than 50 pounds required; position frequently requires lifting or carrying objects that weigh up to 25 pounds
• Handyman skills strongly preferred

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not a comprehensive list of all of the possible job-related responsibilities, tasks and duties that are required of this position, and further, Center on Halsted reserves the right to change as it sees fit any and all of the employee's responsibilities, tasks and duties.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply by email with the subject Operations Coordinator. Email resume, cover letter, and salary history/salary range expectations to: HR Department, careers@centeronhalsted.org. No calls please.

In your cover letter, address the following questions:

1. Tell me about a time when you successfully dealt with feelings of stress at work.

1. What is your approach to engaging individuals that are not following the rules?

1. Please describe a time when you took a proactive approach and led a successful big or small project.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Center on Halsted hires the most qualified candidates without regard to any person's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, military discharge status or source of income.