POLICY INTERN

Why is this a great job? (From the hiring manager) “This is an opportunity to learn about public health policy and advocacy by immersing yourself in a team committed to making Louisiana a better and healthier place for everyone.”

ABOUT US

The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) is a statewide, non-profit organization that has been promoting the health and well-being of Louisianians since 1997. Our 65+ employees work alongside 500+ partner organizations at the local, state, and national levels to leverage our broad expertise in public health to achieve our mission of ensuring that everyone has fair and just opportunities to be healthy and well.

Our strategic plan priority areas include Health Equity, Partnerships and Collaboration, A Healthier Louisiana, and A Thriving Organization. To learn more, visit www.lphi.org.

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Policy Intern

Salary: Unpaid

Work Schedule: 10-hour work week

• LPHI offers traditional (M-F, 8 am-5 pm), flexible (for example, M-F 10 am-7pm), and compressed work schedules (for example, M-Th 8 am-7 pm). Schedule details finalized between employee and manager.

Location: This is a Louisiana-based, hybrid position with occasional (<10%) travel required

• LPHI maintains an office in New Orleans if the employee prefers to be full-time in-office
• Employee must reside in Louisiana during the time of employment

Team: Policy

Reports To: Senior Program Manager, Policy

Supervises: none

Benefits:

• Non-benefit eligible position

ABOUT THE POSITION

A successful candidate will thrive in a team environment, can proactively anticipate, and manage challenges, be a self-starter with strong abilities to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritize appropriately. Day-to-day responsibilities may include managing schedules and meetings, taking meeting minutes, identifying, and prioritizing items for attention, documentation management, and program activity coordination.

LPHI is seeking qualified interns to assist with statewide public policy and advocacy initiatives that are aligned with the organization’s health policy priorities. The selected intern will work closely with LPHI staff on literature research, information gathering, bill tracking, and preparation of presentations, reports, and other dissemination products.

LPHI welcomes master’s level students to apply for this internship. Interns will assist with public policy research, writing public policy briefs, and public policy advocacy.

This internship opportunity will be an unpaid, non-benefit eligible position. Commitments are part-time and will range in project length and time periods, ideally from February 2026 through the end of June 2026.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Interns will work directly with the Senior Program Manager for Policy and gain experience by:

• Conduct research and literature reviews
• Assist with synthesizing findings and drafting policy advocacy documents
• Support LPHI staff in writing policy briefs, reports and articles, and dissemination efforts
• Support Coalition management including writing agendas, taking minutes, and disseminating relevant information.
• Track relevant legislation & provide regular report outs
• Other duties as assigned by Preceptor

ABOUT YOU

Position Requirements

• Undergraduate degree or beyond (i.e., Masters degree) in progress
• Experience with research
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Interest in public health, health systems, research and/or evaluation methodologies

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Well-organized, self-directed, and able to complete multiple tasks in a timely and efficient manner
• Ability to learn new subject areas quickly
• Excellent attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications
• A commitment to actively working in alignment with public health with other social, racial, and economic justice movements
• Ability to function independently and as a team member

Please include details regarding your availability in your cover letter.

Your Impact at LPHI
The work you do at LPHI supports the organization’s ability to operate effectively and serve its mission. Your role contributes to how work gets done across teams—helping ensure efforts are organized, responsive, and aligned to organizational priorities that improve and advance health equity.

We value collaboration, respect for lived experience, and continuous learning, and we strive to create an environment where every team member can contribute fully to advancing Health Equity, strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration, building a Healthier Louisiana, and supporting a Thriving Organization.

How We Work

Work Environment & Physical Considerations:

We operate in a flexible work environment that includes both hybrid and fully remote roles, depending on position responsibilities and organizational needs. Our approach emphasizes trust, accountability, collaboration, and clear outcomes.

In all roles, employees can expect:

• Clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations
• Regular communication with supervisors and colleagues to support alignment and progress
• Thoughtful use of technology to enable effective collaboration and productivity
• Shared responsibility for maintaining a consistent organizational voice and upholding our values

Some positions require a hybrid schedule, with periodic onsite presence to support collaboration, relationship-building, and key meetings. Other positions are designated as fully remote. Work arrangements are determined by role requirements and may evolve over time based on operational needs.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: Louisiana Public Health Institute is committed to accessibility and inclusion by providing reasonable accommodations and, when appropriate, flexible work arrangements, for qualified individuals with disabilities to support the job application process and performance of essential job functions consistent with applicable laws and organizational requirements. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at HumanResources@lphi.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: Louisiana Public Health Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including hair texture and natural hair styles), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and religious grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including transgender identity, status and transitioning), gender expression and sex stereotyping, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information (including genetic information), family care or medical leave status, military caregiver status, military status, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, engaging in protected communications regarding employee wages, requesting a reasonable accommodation on the basis of disability or bona fide religious belief or practice, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any of these factors.

*As with all positions at LPHI, this position is funded through grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed under the provisions of the grantor of the contract. Positions are contingent upon the continuation of grant/contract funding.