Des Moines Summer Intern

About Food & Water Watch

Food & Water Watch is working to create a healthy future for all people and generations to come - a world where everyone has food they can trust, clean drinking water and a livable climate. Making this happening requires involving people in the pressing issues of our time at the local, state, and federal level, building on one win after another, as we develop a larger movement that has the political power to make our democratic process work.

The Des Moines Intern will report to the Rural Organizing Director and will work with other staff on the organizing, policy, digital and communications teams to support Food & Water Watch’s work. The intern will assist in volunteer activities, petitioning and able to help grow our list, and engage in overall campaign activities. The intern will primarily work on campaigns to address factory farms and drinking water issues in Iowa.

This is a 9 week, 29‑hr per week internship, working from June 8th to August 7th.

• Recruit volunteers and allies. Build a strong base of volunteers and organizations in support of our local, state, and national campaigns.
• Develop campaign plans. Work with other staff to establish long and short term goals, strategies, and tactics to win our campaigns.
• Organize campaign tactics. Plan and execute strategic tactics to meet the needs of our campaigns, including educational events, base‑building drives, and actions directed at elected officials.
• Build capacity. Develop the leadership of volunteers and grassroots organizations by offering training and organizing support.
• Represent Food & Water Watch. Attend and speak at public events on behalf of Food & Water Watch.
• Build Food & Water Watch for the long haul. Participate in member recruitment and fundraising activities for Food & Water Watch.
• Regularly report on work to your supervisor.
• Carry out other projects as assigned.

• Organizing or advocacy experience, either paid or volunteer. This could include campus organizing, volunteering with a political campaign, or an organizing or advocacy non‑profit.
• Familiarity with Iowa politics and Iowa communities.
• Commitment to Food & Water Watch’s core values of justice, human dignity, fair treatment, and equity.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse racial, ethnic, class, age, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management & organizational skills and ability to balance multiple projects.
• Ability to work remotely using basic online programs, including email, Slack, and Google docs.

This is a temporary, part‑time internship and is not eligible for other benefits. If necessary, mileage, meals, and supplies will be reimbursed.

to apply . Please include as one combined document your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to be considered. Position open until filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We will review your application and if we feel that your knowledge, skills and abilities are potentially a good match for our organization, we will be in contact with you.

Food & Water Watch is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and other members of underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Food & Water Watch (FWW) is committed to the health and safety of its staff members. Moreover, FWW, as an organization, promotes science‑based policy. Science clearly shows that unvaccinated populations drive the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of new variants, and that unvaccinated people are more likely to contract COVID and experience severe symptoms. Effective immediately, it is strongly recommended that prospective new staff members provide proof of vaccination.