AIDE PROGRAM
The Veterans Caucus Aide Program provides an outstanding opportunity to engage in public service and prepare for future careers in politics; communications; government affairs; and non-profit management. Aides will learn the structure of the California Democratic Party (CDP) and the Veterans Caucus. In addition, aides will develop a functional understanding of modern socio-economic issues effecting veterans within the context of the larger political landscape in California.
The Aide Program is a three month unpaid virtual internship program.* The program is also available on-site for those participants located in the Sacramento area. Participants must commit 16 hours per week. During the course of the program aides will receive staff mentorship and networking opportunities, and work on projects related to issues specific to their committee assignment; and upon program completion, a letter of recommendation and college credits (see university-specific requirements). Aides will participate in weekly conference calls and progress reports with their committee chair (for purposes of mentorship and progress reports on assignments), the Aide Program Coordinator, and the Caucus Chair (for purposes of Caucus updates, program updates, and evaluations). At the program’s end, each aide will submit a Program Evaluation.
Qualifications
Applicant must be a registered California Democrat.
Applicant must be prepared to work a total of 16 hours a week (This includes a weekly teleconference).
Applicant must have a computer and exercise computer savvy (ie. Skype, webinars, MS Office, etc.).
Application Materials
-Cover Letter
-Resume / CV
-Personal Statement - Your personal statement must include: why you want to work with the Veterans Caucus; your understanding of the current state of veterans’ affairs; and what your ideas are on how veterans’ affairs can be improved.
-Two Letters of Recommendation - It is strongly suggested one recommendation be from a teacher and one from a supervisor.
Selection Process
The application process begins 60 days prior to the term to which candidates are applying. Anyone with a demonstrated interest in state government, public service, and veterans issues is eligible to apply. There are no preferred majors. Graduate, postgraduate and mid-career applicants are welcome.
Aides are selected 30 days prior to the start of the program in a two-part screening process. This consists of an initial interview with the Aide Program Coordinator during which candidates will be asked questions relating to their application packages and their current experiences and academic programs. Candidates selected to move forward in the process will have a second interview with the respective Chair of the committee they are seeking assignment to. All candidates that have made it this far will be informed of a final decision regarding their placement in the program 30 days prior to the start of the term they applied for. Any unsuccessful applicants will be immediately eligible to apply again for a different term.
*The CDP’s Veterans Caucus Aide Program meets the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division guidelines to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act.. http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf
The Aide Program is a three month unpaid virtual internship program.* The program is also available on-site for those participants located in the Sacramento area. Participants must commit 16 hours per week. During the course of the program aides will receive staff mentorship and networking opportunities, and work on projects related to issues specific to their committee assignment; and upon program completion, a letter of recommendation and college credits (see university-specific requirements). Aides will participate in weekly conference calls and progress reports with their committee chair (for purposes of mentorship and progress reports on assignments), the Aide Program Coordinator, and the Caucus Chair (for purposes of Caucus updates, program updates, and evaluations). At the program’s end, each aide will submit a Program Evaluation.
Qualifications
Applicant must be a registered California Democrat.
Applicant must be prepared to work a total of 16 hours a week (This includes a weekly teleconference).
Applicant must have a computer and exercise computer savvy (ie. Skype, webinars, MS Office, etc.).
Application Materials
-Cover Letter
-Resume / CV
-Personal Statement - Your personal statement must include: why you want to work with the Veterans Caucus; your understanding of the current state of veterans’ affairs; and what your ideas are on how veterans’ affairs can be improved.
-Two Letters of Recommendation - It is strongly suggested one recommendation be from a teacher and one from a supervisor.
Selection Process
The application process begins 60 days prior to the term to which candidates are applying. Anyone with a demonstrated interest in state government, public service, and veterans issues is eligible to apply. There are no preferred majors. Graduate, postgraduate and mid-career applicants are welcome.
Aides are selected 30 days prior to the start of the program in a two-part screening process. This consists of an initial interview with the Aide Program Coordinator during which candidates will be asked questions relating to their application packages and their current experiences and academic programs. Candidates selected to move forward in the process will have a second interview with the respective Chair of the committee they are seeking assignment to. All candidates that have made it this far will be informed of a final decision regarding their placement in the program 30 days prior to the start of the term they applied for. Any unsuccessful applicants will be immediately eligible to apply again for a different term.
*The CDP’s Veterans Caucus Aide Program meets the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division guidelines to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act.. http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf