The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is an international non-profit organization founded in 1950. Its mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners; visit .

Economic Opportunities Program and Workforce Strategies Initiative

The Economic Opportunities Program (EOP) advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals' opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity. The program's Workforce Strategies Initiative (AspenWSI) has, for over a decade, led EOP's work in identifying, evaluating, and promoting promising practices and strategies that help individuals build skills and connect to sustainable employment.

Basic Function

The Economic Opportunities Program's Workforce Strategies Initiative seeks a motivated and detail-oriented Research Intern for spring of 2020. We highly encourage applicants from underrepresented communities of color to apply. The Research Intern will work with a small team in the planning, preparation for, and implementation of a variety of research projects. Projects are related to research on practices to help low-income populations access better jobs and strategies for improving job quality. Research subjects include businesses, non-profits, post-secondary institutions, public agencies and others.

The Research Intern will provide support to the WSI team on a range of research activities, including transcribing interviews, conducting background research, and writing and editing of written products (such as summaries). The Research Intern will also provide administrative support for research activities, including coordinating meetings, scheduling site visits, and organizing research materials and help support public events. Working in a fast-paced environment, the Research Intern will contribute to AspenWSI's reputation for delivering outstanding publications, events, and other products.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for advancing economic opportunity for low-income U.S. workers. She/he/they will be eager to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and to learn on the job and will have high standards for the quality of her/his/their work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support WSI staff in development of site visit plans, interview and focus group protocols, and other data collection tools.
• Take notes, transcribe recorded interviews, and draft interview/meeting summaries.
• Conduct literature reviews and other information-gathering to inform research context.
• Assist with site visit planning, meeting coordination, scheduling, and document organization.
• Perform basic analysis in MS Excel.
• Use Excel and PowerPoint to produce tables, charts, and maps for reports and presentations.
• Assist in administering surveys or questionnaires using Survey Monkey.
• Assist with event-related tasks as needed.
• Help prepare presentations, reports, articles, policy briefs, and other written materials.

Principal Interactions

Works directly with WSI and EOP program staff and consultants. Has routine interaction with project partners and constituents, staff from other research and policy organizations and other EOP and Aspen staff.

Knowledge, Education, and Experience

• Undergraduate student in relevant public policy, planning, social science or business discipline, or college graduate with relevant experience.
• Interest in expanding economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income U.S. workers.
• Oral and written communications skills, including strong attention to detail.
• Organizational skills, with emphasis on the ability to plan, organize, and make progress on multiple activities simultaneously.
• Computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; willingness to learn Survey Monkey.
• Team player who can also work independently and be a self-starter.
• Interest in economic and social policy and in business practices that affect workplace culture and job quality.

Schedule/Timeframe

• January-May 2020 (actual dates can be adjusted; internship to run for approximately 15 weeks with option to extend)
• Part-time (approximately 20 hours per week)

Level of Authority

• Non-supervisory position
• No budgetary authority

Travel

• Some travel may be required and will be scheduled in advance.

To Apply

• Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter. Cover letter should highlight applicant's interest and specific qualifications for this position. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

Candidate must have the ability to work under pressure and handle stress. Candidate must also have the ability to meet regular attendance policy of the Aspen Institute.