Internship Program

Sierra Yaun, Fall Intern 2004

 

“The staff at the Equal Rights Center creates a very welcoming and caring environment for interns.  When I first started at the ERC I had no knowledge of Fair Housing Laws or ways to make sure agents, builders, landlords, and realtors were in compliance with them.  The staff takes you through extensive Fair Housing training […]  The ERC taught me about the Fair Housing Laws, how to be a tester, and ways to create and analyze both sales and rental tests.  After a few weeks I began to understand how to identify housing discrimination and the necessary steps taken to enforce compliance.  Everyone at the ERC has an equally important role and interns are enthusiastically invited to participate alongside of everyone else at the organization.  We attended all meetings with the staff and gave input whenever needed.  The ERC is truly a unique organization that is dedicated to enforcing Fair Housing compliance and education outreach.”

The Civil Rights Intern will assist staff with various projects, including conducting complaint intake and filing, test coordination, test analysis, compiling information for reports, and conducting research. In addition, interns will participate in community education and outreach and will also be expected to act as testers (with reimbursement), maintain confidentiality, and complete other duties as assigned.

 

All interns receive an intensive training from ERC staff on Civil Rights and Fair Housing law and will receive a binder of information and precedent-setting fair housing cases.

 

Interns receive a small stipend and are reimbursed for metro expenses.

 

Spring: part-time, $50/wk

Summer: full-time, $150/wk

Fall: part-time, $50/wk

 

Internship applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you are interested in applying, please send a cover letter detailing the semester and times you would be able to work and a resume to Pooja Bavishi at pbavishi@equalrightscenter.org. 

 

For additional monetary support, we recommend that potential interns contact the following:

 

J.W. Saxe Memorial Prize provides $1,500 grants to students to gain practical experience in public service by taking a no-pay or low pay job or internship during a summer or other term. Preference is given to applicants who have already found such a position but who require extra funds. Applicants should send a resume and a statement of short- and long-term goals, along with statements from three references and a letter of support from a faculty member, to: J.W. Saxe Memorial Fund, 1524 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20007.

 

The ERC does not provide housing for its interns.  However, WISH DC is a unique housing program specifically for interns from out of town.  With this program, apartments and town homes are fully furnished and the location is convenient.  You’ll also be rooming with other DC interns.  For more information go to their website at www.internsdc.com.