Cannabis Policy Advocacy Intern

The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally, and internationally.

PHI was distinguished as one of the top 50 "Best Non-Profit Organizations to Work For" by the Non-Profit Times in a national search.

SUMMARY:

As one of the Public Health Institute's programs, the Prevention Policy Group and its Getting it Right From the Start initiative conducts research, provides technical assistance and engages in advocacy to advance cannabis policy that can better protect youth, public health, and equity. It also provides technical assistance to support Elevate Youth CA projects. Since 2019 we have annually published California Local Cannabis Policy Scorecards for all cities and counties in California that allow cannabis sale, as a tool to support local community partners' advocacy and to educate local governments and policymakers on how to improve local policy.

In 2026 we are working to identify ways to make the scorecards and associated advocacy more engaging and interesting to potential youth advocates working in their communities. This is a time-limited, part-time internship, approximately 10 hours per week (25% FTE), with a preferred start date of March 2, 2026 and expected end date of June 30, 2026 to support that effort.

Candidates must be based in California. The intern will have the option to work remotely or in-person in one of our offices in Berkeley where they can work and receive in-person mentoring. This internship will provide an opportunity to build skills related to cannabis policy, public health, advocacy, and communications including social media.

Full pay range for this position: $18.42 to $24.92 per hour. The typical hiring range for this position is from $18.42 (minimum) to $21.67 (midpoint) per hour. The starting wage is determined using a variety of factors, such as the candidate's knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as internal equity consideration and budget availability.

The candidate must be an active participant in an Elevate Youth California (EYC) program for at least two months.

Employment Type: Part Time

• Convene at least two listening sessions/brainstorming events with EYC youth to obtain input on ways to strengthen scorecards, engage youth, or useful tools for youth.
• Design and create at least one or more youth engagement tools (Brief, videos, mangas, etc.) based on the input and in conjunction with PHI team.
• Take model tools back to the group for feedback and finalize products.
• Create social media posts to spread awareness about scorecards in youth community.
• Help at least one EYC group use the scorecards in their local work.
• Propose a new project not listed above or support other related work in collaboration with project staff.
• May conduct local travel to meet with youth if needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be between 18-26 years old
• Be a participant in an Elevate Youth California program for at least 2 months
• High School graduate

Other Qualifications

• Has strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work as a team
• Ability to work 10 hours per week, primarily remotely
• Has a strong interest in public health and/or substance abuse issues
• Graphic designing, AI, social media or video production experience desirable but not required

The Public Health Institute is committed to a policy that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and to make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment opportunity. To this end, the PHI will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are offered employment and employees are treated during employment without regard to these characteristics.

For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

To apply for any position, you must create an account on the Public Health Institute's job application site. After creating your account, you may search the open positions and apply for the specific position that interests you. Please note, mailed and emailed applications will not be accepted.

We're so pleased the Public Health Institute is an organization you would like to work with. Do you have questions about this opportunity? If so, email our recruitment team at Recruitment@phi.org.

Additional information about PHI's benefits and compensation offerings can be found here.

The Public Health Institute is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Recruitment Team at least 48 hours in advance at Recruitment@phi.org.