Posted on August 18, 2012

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Fall 2012 Undergraduate Internship

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), founded in 1920, is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 500,000 members dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the U.S. Constitution. The National Security Project in the ACLU’s National Office in New York City seeks applicants for a Fall Undergraduate Internship starting in October 2012.

OVERVIEW

The National Security Project is part of the ACLU’s Center for Democracy, which works to strengthen democratic institutions and values, and advocates for government transparency and accountability, and to reinforce the United States’ commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The Center for Democracy includes, in addition to the National Security Project, the Human Rights Program, and the Project on Speech, Privacy, and Technology.

The National Security Project is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. national security policies and practices are consistent with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights. We believe that our nation’s core democratic values are the foundation of its strength and security, and that our government’s response to national security concerns must comport with those values. Through our litigation and advocacy strategies, we not only respond to specific government measures, but strive also to educate the public and shape the law so that the courts, Congress, and citizenry can serve as an enduring check against abuse.

The National Security Project’s litigation and advocacy focuses on issues including: targeted killing, detention, torture, discrimination, government surveillance, censorship, and secrecy. Our active and diverse docket includes: a lawsuit challenging the government’s “targeted killing” of three U.S. citizens in drone strikes far from any armed conflict zone; a suit on behalf of a number of U.S. citizens and residents who are prohibited from flying to or from the United States or over U.S. airspace because they are on the government's “No Fly List”; a challenge to the indefinite detention without charge or trial of a prisoner held at Guantánamo Bay; a suit on behalf of a broad coalition of human rights, media, and legal organizations challenging the constitutionality of dragnet wiretapping conducted under the amended Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; and numerous suits under the Freedom of Information Act for information about a variety of related issues including the legal and factual basis for the government’s “targeted killing” policy, the treatment of prisoners held by the United States in detention centers overseas, and federal law enforcement’s discriminatory surveillance of religious and racial minorities.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

The Internship requires an 8 - 12 week commitment. The internship is part-time with weekly hours that are negotiable. The number of interns accepted for the position varies. Interns are highly encouraged to obtain funding from outside sources, as the internship is unpaid. Arrangements can be made for work/study or course credit.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The undergraduate internship is designed to provide interns with the opportunity to learn about public interest work. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Project’s Paralegal, and will learn from and interact with other members of the Project’s staff. Interns will gain experience by:

• Conducting factual research on issues relating to civil liberties and national security.
• Assisting with the production of litigation and advocacy materials.
• Assisting with the review of government documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act litigation.
• Maintaining case files.
• Working on other projects as assigned.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program and have completed their first year of college. Applicants must possess:

• A commitment to civil liberties and a strong interest in social justice and legal issues.
• Excellent research, writing, and communications skills.
• Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated initiative to see projects through to completion.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”

Application Instructions

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and a non-fiction writing sample of no more than five pages in length to hrjobsNSP@aclu.org (Please note, this is not the general ACLU applicant email address. This email address is specific to the National Security Project Internship).

Please reference [2012 Fall Undergraduate Internship – National Security Project/PND] in the subject line. Or you can apply by mail to:

RE: Fall 2012 Undergraduate Internship – National Security Project

American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004-2400

Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this internship opportunity.

The deadline for applications for the Fall Internship is September 19, 2012. Submissions received after this date will only be considered if space is available.