New Brunswick Documenters - Internship ($100/week)
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with positions available Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Interns should anticipate working 20 hours per week, both remote and in person, with assigned field work.
coLAB Arts (www.colab-arts.org), engaging artists, social advocates, and communities to create transformative new work, is seeking out Interns for its ongoing civic engagement project, New Brunswick Documenters, managed by a rapidly growing arts organization in New Brunswick, NJ, located in the traditional territory of the Leni-Lenape called “Lenapehoking.” coLAB Arts produces high-quality work across creative disciplines and in response to local social issues, advocacy organizations, and communities of the greater New Brunswick, NJ area. coLAB Arts’ vision is to create more livable, sustainable, and exciting environments through art.
New Brunswick Documenters is part of a national network dedicated to empowering residents to engage in civic journalism and hold local government accountable. Rooted in the belief that public meetings are essential workshops for democracy, New Brunswick Documenters trains and pays community members to attend, document, and translate public meetings across the city. This ensures that all residents, regardless of language, have access to vital information that impacts their lives. By making public meetings more transparent and accessible, New Brunswick Documenters not only increases local journalism capacity but also provides the tools necessary for anyone to participate in the civic process, driving meaningful change in their communities.
Three internship tracks are available that support our overall program interests in New Brunswick and Middlesex County including issues related to arts & culture, political affairs, housing and development, and health and the environment.
Administration - supports ongoing program operation
Research - supports special projects and interpretive content
Content Creation, Graphic Design, and Video - supports social media and longform projects
Successful candidates will align with the program's interests through their optimal internship tracks and demonstrate strong interest in collaboration. All three positions manage their own projects, as well as operate as a team to support overall Documenters initiatives. Please refer to the distinct responsibilities of each internship track below.
These are part-time in-person positions, with designated office hours and field assignments supervised by New Brunswick Documenters co-coordinators. Interns should expect to complete six (6) field assignments and consistently attend local government meetings, community convenings, and social and cultural events. This internship is best suited for someone who is effective at managing their own work schedule, and is an excellent self-starter and communicator (both written and verbal). Interns serve as ambassadors for New Brunswick Documenters in the community, and are expected to conduct themselves professionally when on assignment. The successful candidate is driven and curious to support community organizing and thrives in creating high-quality work with real community impact.
Physical Expectations:
Personal computer
Occasional early morning, evening, and weekend work hours
Administration Intern Responsibilities Include:
Support the routine operations of the Documenters program
Edit Documenter Notes taken of government and community meetings
Support internal and external program communications
Organize meeting agendas and scheduling
Assist in contractor management including material production and translation
Research Intern Responsibilities Include:
Conduct research on government agencies in New Brunswick and Middlesex County
Track accountability and transparency violations
Research current local issues relevant to New Brunswick and Middlesex County to be amplified on our platforms
Connect meeting notes with local community impact
Interview local stakeholders as needed, including issue experts, residents, and organizers
Translate technical discussions from meeting notes into more accessible language for general audiences
Content Creation Intern Responsibilities Include:
Create monthly calendar, and as needed content carousels with upcoming local events in New Brunswick and Middlesex County
Collaborate with research intern to develop informational and educational graphics
Create short form video content to highlight important exchanges from documented meetings and recap local arts, culture, and community events
Support the management of New Brunswick Documenters’ social media platforms and their communities, including posting, sharing, and direct messaging
Qualifications:
Enrolled in a 2- or 4-year undergraduate program, or graduate program
Strong GPA
Strong verbal communication skills
Strong technical and persuasive writer
Adept at using social media and light content creation
Experience using Canva
Detail-oriented with organization, project management, and time management skills
Ability to perform a substantial number of tasks independently
Ability to work cooperatively, foster team spirit, and maintain a positive demeanor
Ability to solve problems independently and negotiate solutions with challenging partners
Ability to clearly communicate needs and expectations to supervisor
Commitment to the vision and values of coLAB Arts
Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the preferred qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.
Stipend: $100 per week towards transportation, with weekly opportunities for supplemental compensation.
coLAB Arts does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, disability, national origin, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship or authorized alien status, or veteran status.
Please use the following links for further information about our organization:
Our response to recent xenophobic and anti-Muslim vandalism of one of our murals
Full Land Acknowledgment, accessibility information, and location directions
Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and three references, and should be completed through our online form at https://www.colab-arts.org/jobs/documenters-intern. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. Positions are available Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. coLAB Arts is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. You can visit our website, www.colab-arts.org, and find us on Facebook and Instagram @colabarts.
Please use the following form to apply.