APS Public Policy Early Career Internship

Wondering How Public Policy Impacts Plant Pathology?
Apply for the APS Public Policy Early Career Internship

Deadline: Applications are due JUNE 27, 2014.

The American Phytopathological Society Public Policy Board (APS-PPB) is pleased to announce the availability of an internship to participate in Public Policy Board activities for 2014-2016. The internship is open to APS early career members (current graduate students, or postdoctoral associates and junior professionals). Intern travel expenses will be covered for the APS PPB Spring meeting in Washington, D.C. in the second year (2016).

The goal of the APS Public Policy Early Career Internship is to provide an opportunity for the selected individual to gain hands-on experience in public policy at the national level that relates generally to agricultural science and specifically to matters of interest to APS. By working with the APS-PPB, the intern will learn how scientific societies, non-governmental organizations (NGO's), executive branch agencies (e.g., USDA, NSF, EPA, etc.), and the legislative branch interact in crafting public policy.

In the first year of the internship, the intern will be expected to participate in monthly PPB calls and in the preparation of newsletter items and policy white papers. The intern should be able to attend the 2016 spring governmental outreach meeting of the APS-PPB in Washington, D.C. (usually mid March). At the end of the internship, the intern will prepare a written and/or oral report on the experience for delivery to the APS-PPB and membership.

Other activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Attending APS-PPB policy agenda setting meetings and conference calls
Attending APS-PPB organized workshops, where relevant;
Assisting APS-PPB with development, tracking and analysis of relevant policy issues
Assisting APS-PPB with planning Capitol Hill and Agency briefings.

Application Process

Applications should be submitted as one portable document file (PDF file) saved as last name, first initial (example: SmithT_internship.pdf), and include all of the items described below. All application materials must be received by June 27, 2014, and should be sent to Jan Leach, Public Policy Board Chair, (jan.leach@colostate.edu).

Application submissions should include:

Cover letter. One page describing the applicant’s interest in science policy issues and detailing how this internship would enhance his/her professional goals. Applicant should include the names of two individuals, other than the thesis advisor, from whom recommendations may be requested. These individuals should be able to address the candidate’s leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Resume. Two pages emphasizing leadership and communication experiences, including graduate, undergraduate, or nonacademic activities. It should include education, work experience, honors and awards, memberships, presentations, and publications.
Statement on the importance of federal support for plant-pathological research (500 words maximum). The statement should draw on the applicant’s own experience and/or research area and should illustrate how the applicant would try to convince his/her own congressional delegation that federal support for research, particularly in plant pathology, is important.
Letter of support/recommendation. A letter from the applicant’s advisor or supervisor.
APS membership. Applicants are not required to be APS members at the time of application but, if selected, must join the society prior to starting the internship.