New York CIty Council Member Ben Kallos

Internships and Fellowships

Undergraduate and Gradaute:

This is an opportunity to take part in all aspects of running a successful legislative office.

Constituent Services – providing assistance, responding to inquiries, and working with government agencies to resolve problems for constituents.
Organizing – attending community events and canvassing residents and small businesses.
Communications –newsletter articles, press releases and tracking, opinion editorials, press conferences, designing posters and infographics, photography, video and social media.
Event Planning – plan, coordinate, advertise, and run community events such as forums.
Legislation –legislative research, attending legislative meetings and briefings, and developing legislative position memorandum.

In addition to the regular assignments outlined above, individual who commit more hours or do an exemplary job will have the option of proposing a special project.  These projects range from organizing an event and graphic design of flyers and posters to policy proposals and drafting legislation to be introduced and that might become a law.

See requirements and application details below.

Legal:

This opportunity is offered exclusively to students currently enrolled in Law School and will be supervised by the Legislative Director and the Council Member who is a union side labor and employment attorney who is licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, as well as Washington D.C. with experience as in-house counsel at a venture vehicle and running a good government group. 

Responsibilities and training include drafting legal memorandum, attending meetings discussing legislative issues, researching current legislation in the City Council, analyzing the effectiveness of existing laws, researching current and proposed laws in other jurisdictions as well as proposing and drafting new legislation.  In addition to the regular assignments outlined above, individuals who commit more hours or do an exemplary job will have the option of proposing legislation for introduction that might become law.

See requirements and application details below.

Food Policy:

This opportunity is offered to graduate students focusing on food issues, seeking Masters degress in Public Health, Public Policy, Nutrition, or other applicable areas.  The Council Member is a legislative leader in the City Council on food issues.  He has participated in or lead campaigns like:

Healthy Happy Meals - legislation to use toys to incentivize healthy eating;
Food Policy Council - legislation to give advocates a place at the table on food policy for New York City;
Cooking with Kallos - summer cooking demonstration at local green markets using produce on sale that day to promote healthy eating;
Lunch4Learning - to make school lunch free;
Breakfast After the Bell - to offer free breakfast in schools;
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fresh Food Box - supporting local farms and providing fresh affordable healthy food;

Join our team in order to help make these campaigns or others a reality.  Responsibilities and training includes attending meetings discussing food issues, researching current food policy in the City Council, analyzing the effectiveness of existing food law and policy, researching current and proposed food laws in other jurisdictions as well as proposing and drafting new legislation.  In addition to the regular assignments outlined above, individuals who commit more hours or do an exemplary job will have the option of proposing legislation for introduction that might become law.

See requirements and application details below.

Multimedia and Graphic Design:

This multimedia and graphic design internships offering the opportunity to develop skills of using images and multimedia to communicate complex messages, develop visual campaign plans and use social media to engage residents and bring progressive change to New York City. Training and responsibility include:

  • Graphic design
  • Photography
  • Video
  • Post production editing
  • Social media

In addition to the regular assignments outlined above, interns who commit more hours or do an exemplary job will have the option of proposing a special project.  These projects range from organizing an event and graphic design of flyers and posters to policy proposals and drafting legislation to be introduced and that might become a law.

See requirements and application details below.

EEOC:

The New York City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In addition, the City Council, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act, does not discriminate on the basis of disability, with regard to employment or access to City Council facilities and services.

Background:

Ben Kallos is a progressive Democrat who represents the Upper East Side, Midtown East, El Barrio and Roosevelt Island.  He is a lawyer, software developer, and previously ran a good government group.  Ben is stands for affordable housing, women’s rights, marriage equality, investing in education, and government that is open, transparent and accountable.  He serves on the Land Use, Landmarks, State and Federal, Women’s Issues and Chairs the Governmental Operations committee with broad oversight powers over 13 agencies including the Board of Elections, Campaign Finance Board, Citywide Administrative Services, Tax Commission and Law Department.  Please visit BenKallos.com to learn more.

Requirements:

Interns are unpaid but encouraged to secure academic credit or independent funding from their schools. Interns are required to work a minimum number of hours per week based on season with preference as well as more challenging assignment and responsibilities given to those available who work additional hours or commit to multiple semesters.  The minimum hours for fall and spring are 15 and for the winter and summer Breaks are 20.

Application: Please send applications with your cover letter and resume as a Word, ODF or PDF to internship@benkallos.com.

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