STU AST - COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Florida Trail Association (FTA) builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the Florida National Scenic Trail, one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the US. Through conservation, recreation, advocacy, and education, we connect people to Florida’s unique outdoor landscapes. Our Next Generation Internship Program empowers young leaders to explore professional pathways in trails, land management, environmental advocacy, and nonprofit management. 

The Advocacy Intern will play a key role in expanding FTA’s legislative and advocacy capacity. This intern will lead the development of a Legislative Action Tracker, monitor state and federal policies, and support FTA’s efforts to protect and enhance access to the Florida Trail through informed advocacy. In February 2026 the advocacy intern will travel to Washington D.C. with FTA staff to participate in the annual Hike the Hill conference, and have the opportunity to meet directly with Florida’s District and Senate offices to present their work. 

The Advocacy Intern will also be part of a cohort of Next Gen Interns and contribute to a shared group project while gaining hands-on experience in public lands policy, nonprofit advocacy, and legislative communications. This is a hybrid position and interns will be expected to work some hours in-person at FTA’s Gainesville office. There will be opportunities for travel around Florida and to Washington D.C. 

• Legislative Tracking and Research 
  • Create and maintain action tracker to monitor proposed and active state and federal legislation
  • Research how bills impact outdoor recreation and conservation in Florida 
• Legislative Impact Reports
  • Write monthly-bimonthly summaries of relevant bills and impacts
  • Highlight timely issues for public awareness campaigns 
• Advocacy Communications
  • Draft short, digestible advocacy briefs on key issues
  • Write social media posts and highlights to alert our audience on important legislation
  • Help prepare advocacy materials to present to elected representatives 
• Legislator Engagement Plan
  • Develop a database of contact information and voting history for FL district offices, representatives, and staffers 

$14/hour

This is a Federal Work Study position, no exceptions. Must provide proof of work study in application.

Intern MUST be available to travel to Washington DC the week of March 1-5

• Passionate about public lands, trails, or environmental policy
• A strong writer who can communicate complex topics clearly
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated, able to work independently
• Curious about legislative processes and nonprofit advocacy
• Political Science and related major preferred but not required
• Experience with policy research, civic engagement or advocacy preferred but not required
• Ability to commit to the entire length of the internship program and fulfill weekly hours requirement
• Intern MUST be available to travel to Washington DC the week of March 1-5

DO NOT APPLY TO THIS POSTING, APPLY at Floridatrail.org/jobs 

* Students seeking FWS employment should print/screenshot a copy of their Financial Aid Award Page, which contains the Federal Work Study award as proof of FWS eligibility. To locate your Financial Aid Award Page, go to https://one.uf.edu/financialaid/aidyear 

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.