The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) seeks to design a more sustainable, livable, and beautiful world. Landscape architects create city master plans, design ecosystems, develop innovative park projects like the High Line in New York City, roll out bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and renew residential landscapes. ASLA represents some 16,000 landscape architects in the U.S. and around the world.

ASLA seeks a part-time government affairs intern for the Spring 2013 semester, mid-January to May. The government affairs intern will assist the government affairs staff with researching, analyzing, and reporting on legislation and policies of interest to landscape architects. Policy areas include active transportation, water and stormwater management, healthy living issues, and planning and design issues. The government affairs intern will also assist with planning and executing any policy briefings and hearings and help coordinate ASLA’s annual advocacy day on Capitol Hill, where landscape architects from across the country come to Washington, D.C. to meet with their legislators to discuss policy issues important to the profession.    

Responsibilities:

• Research and write memos, policy statements, briefing papers, and talking points on issues, legislation, and regulations as assigned by government affairs staff.
• Assist staff in developing an agenda, briefing documents and talking points for the ASLA Advocacy Day.  
• Attend congressional hearings, coalition meetings, and other policy briefings.

Required Skills:

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.  
• Excellent writing skills. The intern must be able to write clearly for a policy audience.
• Proven research skills and ability to quickly evaluate the quality and relevance of many different types of Web resources.
• Working knowledge of Congress and the legislative process.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to appropriately interact with legislators, congressional staff, and other stakeholders.  
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.

The intern will receive a stipend of $3,000 from ASLA over the program and have a flexible schedule.

Please send resume and at least one writing sample to HR@asla.org. No phone calls please.