Brad Rowse Policy Internship

In late December 2004, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) and the sporting-conservation community lost a rising star with the death of Brad Rowse. Brad monitored sportsmen's issues at the state level, built relations with state legislators and sportsmen's groups, and was integral in the formation of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), creating a unified front for sportsmen and women in state legislatures. To carry on the passion that Brad Rowse brought to sporting-conservation policy, CSF created the Brad Rowse Policy Internship Program.

Brad Rowse Policy Interns are a vital component of CSF’s policy work. Successful applicants will leave the internship with a solid understanding of how to be effective in the policy space, while gaining invaluable professional experience at the most impactful sporting-conservation organization in the policy arena. In the past five years alone CSF’s dedicated policy team, supported in part by the work of the Brad Rowse Policy Interns, has secured over 1,000 victories for sportsmen and women, our fish and wildlife resources, and their habitats on Capitol Hill and in state houses across the nation.

Mission: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation works with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, trapping, and the American values they serve.

In the organization and support of the federal and state sportsmen’s caucuses, CSF informs, advises, and works to further policy and legislation for the benefit of hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping, and for the conservation of the fish, wildlife, and habitats, which are the foundation of these traditions. We protect the rights of sportsmen and provide access and a voice at all levels of government across the country.

Vision: We believe the American system of conservation and the essential role of its sporting traditions must be broadly recognized and strengthened; that all who respect and care for the outdoors must support it as American hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers have always done for our future generations; and that CSF will remain the most effective voice for sportsmen and women in providing information, advice and support to elected and appointed leaders in perpetuating these American traditions.

Culture: The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation maintains a mission-driven culture of excellence in all endeavors – both internally and externally. This culture is achieved through all staff adhering to our core values, and has positioned the organization to be the unrivaled leader in the sportsmen’s policy space and the most respected entity policymakers look to on hunting, angling, recreational shooting, trapping, and other conservation-related matters.

Compensation: This internship is a non-employee position with compensation, and an IRS form 1099 will be issued to you at the end of the year. Stipends will be awarded to successful applicants in an amount not to exceed $1,000/month to help offset expenses incurred while interning in Washington, DC.

Location: The position is based in CSF’s Capitol Hill office in Washington, DC, though remote applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Academic Credit: Academic credit is strongly supported, and CSF will cooperate with universities/colleges that offer credit for intern programs. However, it is the student’s responsibility to make all the arrangements for receiving academic credit.

·        Tracking state and federal legislation that impacts hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation;

·        Writing and assisting with the preparation of policy-related communications materials;

·        Conducting a variety of policy analysis and research projects in support of the work of CSF’s state and federal policy teams;

·        Assisting in the preparation of materials for in-person and virtual events with state and federal elected officials; and,

·        Other responsibilities based upon the ability and interests of each intern, and the needs of the organization.

·        Preference will be given to undergraduate or graduate students either currently enrolled or recently graduated with a major and/or an interest in conservation/natural resource management and/or policy.

·        Successful candidates will possess the following traits and characteristics:

o  Excellent research, writing, and oral communications skills and high level of attention to detail;

o  Strong organization, time management, priority-setting, and computer skills;

o  The ability to stay focused and task-oriented;

o  A good disposition, a hardworking and creative nature, and an interest in taking on a variety of tasks; and,

o  A commitment to the mission of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and a professed interest in hunting, fishing, and other forms of outdoor recreation. 

·        Applicants must be willing to work on a committed weekly schedule for a minimum of three months.

Please submit a cover letter, complete resume, a college transcript, contact information for three references, and a writing sample. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are interested in interning in Washington, DC or remote. Finalists will be interviewed either by videoconference or by telephone.

To be considered for the spring 2023 cohort application materials must be received no later than Wednesday, December 14, 2022.