AARP
Position Description
POSITION INFORMATION
Title: Community Outreach & Public Relations/Affairs InternTime Frame: Duration minimum 8 weeks; Up to 21 hours per week.I. POSITION SUMMARYThe internship is an opportunity for a graduate or undergraduate student to provide a variety of support for AARP Oregon office on major outreach efforts and campaigns focusing on long-term care, health care reform and the Divided We Fail initiative. Numerous duties range from creating working relationships with state and community organizations and organizing community-based activities to working on publicity, promotion, production of publications and other written materials for print and online use related to these activities and others as needed.II. RESPONSIBILITY AND TASK STATEMENTS• Working with identified community groups and individuals to build relationships and coalitions on key campaigns.
• Assisting and/or organizing, planning and executing community outreach forums and programs as well as special events to educate and raise awareness of members and the public.
• Researching, writing and fact checking a variety of materials, including newsletter articles, web features, news releases, fact sheets and other items as needed.
• Assisting with media and other communication planning, outreach and placement, and monitoring media coverage of AARP and targeted issues.
• Developing and executing plan for gathering personal stories and drafting testimonials and other write-ups for use in campaign advocacy, communications and outreach.III. COMPLEXITYThere will a substantial amount of guidance and background provided by supervisor and other state office staff, and the position requires the ability to work independently and as a team. Once an outreach and/or communication plan is crafted, reviewed and approved, the position will have significant autonomy in carrying out the plan and tactics, with support and assistance from supervisor and staff as needed. The position will be dealing with fairly diverse issues and topics as well as different communities and strategies so flexibility, creative idea generating and problem solving will be a huge asset.IV. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITYThere will be minimal financial and budget responsibility, though the need to monitor and use resources wisely is key and full documentation of any expenses incurred is required. There will be significant work and interaction with staff, members, volunteers and community partners that will require interpersonal skills and leadership. The position will work closely and primarily get direction from supervisor and other staff on scope of work and particular components and timeline, but has the opportunity to shape and implement plans.V. NATURE OF CONTACTThe position is mostly a combination of informative and coordinative roles, with some activities and duties that could be considered persuasive and will require solid interpersonal skills, including working with community partners, volunteers, members on projects and collecting personal stories and testimonials. The position will be directed by and work most closely with the Assoc. State Directors (ASDs) of Community Outreach and Communications, and also will interact frequently with all state office staff in all capacities. The position will also require some interaction with community partners, AARP members and volunteers, members of the media and the public at large.VI. IMPACTThis position will have significant impact on state office activities and outcomes in hitting targets on key projects and priorities, including: 1) number of opportunities to work with community partners and engage members, volunteers and the public in long-term care and health care reform discussions and visibility of AARP efforts; 2) awareness and action on Divided We Fail; and 3) the number of articles and spots highlighting AARP efforts and activities to inform, engage and inspire our members, legislators and other elected officials, the media and stakeholders/partners. Position requires independent and strategic thinking as well as ability to work as a team and take direction from others. It also requires strong writing and communications skills and ability to be flexible and adapt and incorporate instructions, work methods and activities.VII. DESIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
.Position requires at least two years of college, and a college senior or graduate student is preferred. Paid or non-paid experience in community organizing/signature gathering or other civic engagement process is a plus. The successful candidate will have demonstrated relationship building skills as well as solid writing and researching abilities and comfort with social situations and talking with people of all ages and backgrounds. Basic computer skills like MS Word, e-mail and Adobe are required; and familiarity with programs like Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop and some design programs is preferred. The intern should have a valid driver’s license.Please send all applications, including letter of interest and current resume to:Internship - AARP Oregon
9200 SE Sunnybrook Boulevard, Suite 410
Clackamas, OR 97015
oraarp@aarp.org