Community Outreach Intern

About the Campaign Finance Board

The Campaign Finance Board is a nonpartisan, independent city agency that empowers New Yorkers to have a greater impact on their elections. Its mission is to make local democracy more open, transparent, and equitable by removing barriers to participation. The Board makes it easier for New Yorkers to vote, support candidates for city office, and run for office themselves. NYC Votes, the voter engagement initiative, meets people where they are to share trustworthy election information and help New Yorkers make a plan to vote. The Board publishes the citywide Voter Guide, runs a public matching‑funds program, and increases transparency of candidate finance.

Public Affairs Division

The Public Affairs division engages New Yorkers, informs them about elections, and boosts participation in the democratic process. It focuses on making election information accessible, increasing engagement with under‑represented communities, and cultivating a team that reflects core values of purpose, curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. The division includes Marketing and Digital Communications, Community Engagement, Language Access, and Public Relations, and oversees the Voter Guide, the official citywide Debates Program, and the NYC Votes initiative.

Community Engagement Unit

The Community Engagement unit builds partnerships across the city to disseminate voting information, deliver accessible voter education, and conduct direct‑to‑voter outreach. Through relationships with community‑based organizations and on‑the‑ground outreach, the team creates pathways for all New Yorkers to receive trustworthy and accessible information about voting and democracy.

Job Description

The Community Outreach Intern will report to the Senior Outreach Manager and support outreach efforts in low‑turnout neighborhoods, especially those where languages other than English are spoken. The intern will assist with research, preparation, implementation, and evaluation of outreach events; contribute creative outreach tactics; and lead strategy development for maximizing impact in priority communities. The role also includes maintaining internal systems to organize and track partnership development, such as databases and data entry.

• Support the team’s efforts to build relationships with key stakeholders (city agencies, CBOs, schools, college campuses) to increase voter turnout.
• Travel independently to deliver the NYC Votes civic engagement curriculum to priority audiences.
• Understand, track, and meet community needs through resources, education delivery, event execution, and other engagement approaches.
• Identify organizations that work in priority neighborhoods or serve priority communities (voters under 30, voters with disabilities, systems‑impacted voters).
• Research legislation and public policy relevant to priority communities; compile and present findings at the end of the summer.
• Support development and delivery of outreach programming for priority audiences, including LOTE voters and voters impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Design and implement a capstone project—a signature outreach event tailored to a high‑need priority neighborhood—incorporating community input and creative civic‑engagement tactics.
• Maintain team databases, document outreach efforts, and support data entry to keep partnership development organized.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Behaviors (KSAOs)

Knowledge

• Major in a relevant field such as Political Science, Community Organizing, English, Journalism, Ethnic or Cultural Studies, Social Work, Public Administration, etc.
• Understanding or experience with New York City institutions (libraries, public schools, criminal legal system, etc.).
• Interest in New York City politics and/or social justice.

Skills

• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Active listening and ability to respond in real time to public concerns and needs.

Abilities

• Willingness to ask questions and learn on the job.
• Experience with public speaking and community education.
• Strong facilitation skills; ability to independently lead workshops and trainings for New Yorkers.

Other Characteristics

• Adaptable and effective collaborator.
• Ability to learn through receiving and implementing feedback.
• Willingness to engage in conversations that challenge assumptions and lead toward culturally competent approaches.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends, as needed.

Preferred Skills

• 1–2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience working in direct community engagement, especially with underrepresented community members.
• Volunteer work on campaigns or in community‑based settings such as schools, on‑campus organizing, food pantries, libraries, or places of worship.
• Ability to speak a language other than English.

Minimum Qualifications

For Assignment Level I (College Aide – All City Departments): Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student.

For Assignment Level II (Information Technology): Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or a closely related field, including at least 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study.

For Assignment Level III (Information Technology Fellow): Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or a related area, including at least 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study.

Maximum tenure for all Assignment Levels in the title of College Aide is 6 years. No student shall be employed more than half‑time in any week when classes are in session; full‑time employment is permitted during vacation periods.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. Employees who have worked for the City for two continuous years may reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.