GCDD Accepting Applications for its Public Policy and Advocacy Fellowship for 2025-2026

The Public Policy and Advocacy Fellowship is a paid 6-month opportunity at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). The fellow will support the GCDD Public Policy team in promoting public policy that creates an integrated community life for people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors, and all who support them.

The fellow will assist GCDD in their efforts during Georgia’s 2026 legislative session, as well as GCDD’s federal advocacy efforts. The fellow is expected to demonstrate a commitment to disability inclusion, as well as a respect for disability at the intersection of multiple identities, including racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender identities.

The fellowship is a 20-hour per week commitment, starting November 10, 2025, and ending May 11, 2026. The typical schedule will be Monday-Friday 10-2 (or 10-3, if the fellow wishes to take a 1-hour lunch break). The fellow is expected to have access to their own computer and telephone as the work environment will be hybrid, primarily remote, until the start of the legislative session in January 2026.

The fellow must be flexible for earlier start/end times depending on the nature of policy events. For example, during Georgia’s legislative session, the fellow will occasionally be expected to attend events that begin at 8 am. Once session starts the second week of January, 2026, the fellow will be asked to be at the Georgia Capitol (Gold Dome) a few days a week.

The pay rate is flexible. The base pay will start at $15 per hour and will reflect demonstrated experience.

Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities:

• Track legislation related to disability and the GCDD Public Policy Agenda
• Attend critical committee meetings during Georgia’s legislative session and prepare updates for the GCDD staff
• Assist in planning and implementation of GCDD’s advocacy initiatives
• Conduct local outreach to engage grassroots advocates to support GCDD’s policy agenda
• Attend and participate in all Council meetings that take place during the internship
• Assist in developing policy materials, including one-pagers, white papers, and advocacy communications
• Take the lead on drafting the April Public Policy for the People article in GCDD’s Making a Difference Magazine

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function as a member of a team
• Dependable, thorough, and attentive to details
• Interacts and establishes rapport with diverse individuals and groups
• Prioritize, execute, and shift between multiple assignments and projects while meeting deadlines
• Prior experience in policy advocacy (e.g., previous participation in GCDD advocacy days or other similar training/opportunities)
• Demonstrates initiative and the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated commitment to and engagement with advocacy

Benefits of Internship

• Developing knowledge of Georgia’s legislative process
• Increasing public policy knowledge regarding disability issues
• Building and strengthening relationships with legislators, state agency staff, and policy staffers of other Georgia organizations
• Expanding one’s network within the disability community
• Working on a team of knowledgeable experts in policy, advocacy, social media, and media relations

GCDD is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

How to Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Charlie Miller at by 11:59 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2025. 

Important dates:

• Apply by October 17, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.
• Interviews will be held the week of October 27, 2025.
• Fellowship starts on November 10, 2025. 
• Fellowship ends on May 1, 2026.