Advocacy Intern

About the Opportunity

The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) is seeking a motivated, resourceful, and highly organized Legislative Session Intern to support advocacy efforts during the 2027 Texas Legislative Session. TRA represents over 58,000 restaurant, bar, and foodservice businesses in Texas. This role offers firsthand experience with the Texas legislative process, working directly with TRA’s Chief Public Affairs Officer and engaging with lawmakers, legislative staff, industry leaders, and advocacy professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Legislative Research & Policy Support
• Track and analyze legislation affecting Texas’ restaurant and foodservice industry.
• Monitor legislative hearings, committee proceedings, and floor debates, providing timely updates.
• Conduct legislative, regulatory, and policy research.
• Assist in preparing bill summaries, legislative briefings, talking points, presentations, and other advocacy communications.
• Maintain organized legislative research, records, and resources.
• Capitol & Stakeholder Engagement
• Support TRA’s engagement with legislative offices, state agencies, coalition partners, and restaurant industry members.
• Assist with scheduling and preparing for meetings with policymakers and legislative staff.
• Help coordinate legislative office lunches, briefings, and other relationship-building activities.
• Support restaurant operators and industry representatives participating in legislative hearings, meetings, and testimony.
• Represent TRA professionally in interactions with policymakers, staff, members, and stakeholders.
• Advocacy Events & Team Support
• Assist with Texas Capitol Day, legislative hearings, press events, receptions, and other advocacy activities.
• Support event logistics, including registration, attendee lists, materials, schedules, signage, and coordination.
• Provide administrative and project support for TRA’s advocacy team and industry coalitions.
• Help manage competing priorities and support the day-to-day operations of a fast-moving legislative team.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Skills:
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to summarize complex information clearly and accurately.
• Dependable, professional, and comfortable taking initiative.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential or politically sensitive information.
• Politically aware and comfortable working in a nonpartisan environment.
• Reliable transportation within the Austin area.
• Tools & Technologies:
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with AI-powered tools.
• Experience with Canva.
• Willingness to learn new technologies.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student, recent graduate, or individual with comparable experience and demonstrated interest in public policy, advocacy, communications, or a related field.
• Flexibility: Some early mornings, evenings, and occasional schedule adjustments may be necessary. Reasonable accommodations for class schedules or standing commitments are available.

Position Details

• Location: Austin, Texas (in-person, with regular work at the Texas Capitol and TRA headquarters).
• Employment: Part-Time, Temporary.
• Compensation: $20/hour.
• Schedule: Approximately 25 hours per week, with flexibility based on legislative activities.
• Term: December 2026 or January 2027 through June 2027. December start preferred.