Intern, Public Policy & Advocacy

Working alongside members of the American Lung Association staff and members of the Nicotine-Free Greater Mankato coalition the Intern Public Policy & Advocacy will join an outstanding group of professionals dedicated to our mission: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research education and advocacy.

The Intern will assist the American Lung Association by supporting Nicotine-Free Greater Mankato coalition initiatives to raise awareness advocate for policy change and connect young people to resources to help them live nicotine-free. This position centers around building capacity for change and networking within systems to protect young people from the harm of nicotine addiction. This internship provides activities to gain experience in the field of community organizing coalition building and advocacy.

This is a paid internship position offering a $1000 stipend requiring a minimum time commitment of 15 hours per week (flexible schedule) and must be eligible for course credit or fulfill an internship graduation requirement. This position will be for Spring 2026 Semester.

PROJECTS

This internship offers a valuable opportunity to build skills in organization multi-tasking and communications. Interns will gain confidence and marketable skills by engaging in or assisting with the following activities:

• Assist in building support for commercial tobacco free policies such as restricting flavored tobacco and nicotine products in the communities of Mankato North Mankato and Saint Peter.
• Develop professional educational materials communications events
• Gather and analyze data disseminate findings
• Assist with communication and social media materials
• Networking and relationship-building with existing and potential partners
• Performing other duties as assigned including some administrative tasks

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Understand non-profit structure mission and communication practices.
• Utilize Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Teams proficiently.
• Collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Develop communication materials for health education outreach and policy.
• Recruit mobilize and engage community members in advocacy efforts.
• Deliver effective health education in outreach settings.
• Build and maintain professional relationships.
• Communicate confidently in a professional office setting.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be working towards a bachelors degree in applied health science public health sociology social justice mental health or substance use nursing or related field
• Qualified candidates must be enthusiastic reliable and interested in developing a career in Public Health Health Sciences Advocacy or Non-profit Management.
• Qualified candidates should possess strong writing skills attention to detail and have a keen interest in the mission of the American Lung Association.
• Ability to multitask perform in a team environment and demonstrate willingness to learn.
• Ability to work independently.
• Computer Proficiency Microsoft Word Excel PowerPoint and Publisher.
• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs. (supplies).
• Consistent with its mission the American Lung Association maintains a smoke-free workplace; all interns and volunteers must abstain from tobacco use in any form including vaping.

Required Documentation: Before an unpaid internship begins documentation from an accredited college or university will be required stating that this internship opportunity is eligible for course credit or fulfills an internship graduation requirement.

Questions For more details about this role please reach out to

Equal Employment Opportunity

The American Lung Association is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the American Lung Association to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to their race color sex sexual orientation age marital status religion national origin alienage or citizenship status genetic predisposition or carrier status or physical and/or mental disabilities veteran status or any other status protected by law.

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the American Lung Association to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to their race color sex sexual orientation age marital status religion national origin alienage or citizenship status genetic predisposition or carrier status or physical and/or mental disabilities veteran status or any other status protected by law. This policy applies in all employment actions including recruitment hiring promotions transfers corrective actions terminations compensation benefits and training.