INTERN - Legislative Research & Policy

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Educate Texas Intern Professional Austin, TX, US

8 days ago Requisition

Educate Texas Vision

All Texas students earn a college degree or credential that leads to a living wage and thriving communities .

Educate Texas Mission

As a trusted change agent, we increase academic achievement and educational equity by leading programs, policy, and partnerships.

Educate Texas Values

Your Role The Legislative Research & Policy Support Intern is a fixed-term, hourly employee supporting Educate Texas during the Texas 90th Legislative Session. The role provides timely legislative monitoring, targeted research, and accurate briefing materials across K-12 systems, College and Career Readiness, and Postsecondary and Workforce. The employee is responsible for assigned deliverables and deadlines, with staff direction and review. Texas residency and in-person attendance at the downtown Austin Educate Texas office on Tuesdays and Thursdays are required under CFT’s hybrid working model, with supervisor-coordinated flexibility for Capitol assignments.

What You’ll Do

• Maintain staff-defined trackers of priority bills, amendments, committee hearings, and deadlines using official legislative sources. Verify bill versions and flag significant developments promptly during scheduled work hours.
• Monitor House and Senate calendars, committee postings, relevant agency activity, and emerging legislation that may affect Educate Texas priorities, including bills or amendments not already on the priority tracker.
• Draft concise, factual bill summaries, hearing notes, targeted research briefs, and source-checked data summaries for staff review.
• Prepare draft talking points and briefing content for council meetings, Capitol Days, and legislative learning events; coordinate content handoffs with the Council & Capitol Events Support Intern.
• Maintain an organized reference file of research, citations, legislative records, and approved materials.
• In June, compile a staff-reviewed session recap, archive research materials, and document outstanding work for handoff.

Staff retain responsibility for policy positions, legislative strategy, legal and compliance determinations, testimony approval, and external communications. The employee prepares work for review and does not independently commit or represent the organization. Reporting references below remain subject to confirmation.

Experience You Bring

• 2+ years of professional experience across K-12 education, postsecondary education, government agencies, public policy, or related fields.
• Clear research writing, source verification, spreadsheet organization, and the ability to summarize legislative developments accurately.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Familiar with digital tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and other similar platforms.
• Strong commitment to advancing effective public policy, driven by a deep passion for rigorous research.
• Ability to learn quickly, manage competing deadlines, maintain accurate records, and communicate promptly about questions or changes in priorities.
• Seeking a professional future in public policy, education policy, or applied practitioner roles.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Success in this role looks like

• Delivering current legislative trackers, research and hearing summaries, verified briefing content, and a June session recap and archive. Your supervisor sets priorities, deadlines, and review checkpoints that fit within your 20-hour workweek.
• Completing assigned work on time, check it for accuracy, incorporate staff feedback, and maintain confidentiality. When deadlines or priorities conflict, you communicate promptly with your supervisor to clarify next steps .
• Preparing materials for staff review and approval, working within the scope of your assignments without independently making commitments or representing the organization.
• Maintaining accurate time records and obtaining approval before schedule changes or work beyond assigned hours.

Disclaimer:
The above sections contain representative examples of job duties that might be performed by employees assigned to this classification. CFT is a dynamic organization, and the environment can be fluid. Roles and responsibilities may be altered to accommodate…