2025 ELEVATE Interns

Washington, DC

Internship

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)

Student (College)

Organization Overview:

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

ELEVATE Internship Overview:
ARC is excited to offer a unique opportunity for ELEVATE Interns in the Appalachian Region! Over the course of eight weeks, you will have the chance to immerse yourself in the dynamic field of economic development, gaining hands-on experience in our various ARC divisions.

This internship program is designed to provide you with invaluable insights and skills essential for a successful career in economic development. You will work closely with experienced supervisors dedicated to guiding you through real-world projects and initiatives that are making a difference in local communities.

By joining us, you will enhance your professional toolkit and build lasting connections with local economic development offices. This experience will enable you to establish bridges in the field, paving the way for future opportunities and collaborations. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of a program that empowers you to contribute to meaningful changes in the Appalachian Region! Apply now to embark on this transformative journey!

Requirements for All Interns:

Current student or recent graduate of an institution of higher education.
Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint).
Core competencies: accountability, adaptability, collaboration, communication, and critical analysis.
Successful completion (before hire) and maintenance of background security review.

Qualifications:

Students majoring in any of the following: Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration, Sociology, Regional Planning, Pre-law, Political Science, Business Administration, or any other related degrees.

Business & Workforce Investment Division (BWI): Responsible for assisting the READY Appalachia team in administering elements of several programs, with an emphasis on Grants to Grow, READY Community Foundations, READY Local Governments, and READY Non-profits.

BWI Internship Responsibilities:

Assist in ensuring READY grantees (Community Foundations and Local Governments) are prepared to launch projects and have the necessary resources to be successful.
Monitor class offerings of READY Nonprofits and identify potential challenges and best practices for replication.
Create and maintain tracking documents to organize data related to pending grantees, approval processes, and contractor deliverables.
Assist in planning and coordinating informational webinars for internal and external stakeholders.
Monitor the project coordinator review process for Grants to Grow and identify suggestions for process improvement and other efficiencies as needed.
Communicate with pending grantees to secure outstanding documentation and responses clarifying questions to move projects forward for approval.
Review and provide feedback on documents submitted by various contractors, including curriculum materials, evaluation plans, and participant policies.
Assist in maintaining and updating the team’s project management platform to streamline workflows, track deliverables and create alerts as needed.
Assist the Program Manager with special projects and interagency initiatives, including the Rural Partners Network and the interagency working group on HBCUs.

Other duties as assigned:

Support the Division with a variety of internal projects/assignments.
Additional projects upon request.

2) Critical Infrastructure Division (DCI)

DCI Internship Responsibilities:

Review a project using the construction project checklist and present questions/feedback to the analyst.
Learn how to identify gaps and deficiencies in the applications against the construction checklist and gain an understanding of good project development.
Review the current Goal 3 Investment in Action on the ARC website and identify missing or underrepresented project types.
Collaborate with DCI staff to identify compelling projects to investigate, reach out to the grantees to obtain project updates, and write concise stories for publication on the website.
Conduct a thorough evaluation of Grant Resources on ARC’s website from the perspective of an inexperienced applicant interested in applying for an ARC construction grant.

Other duties as assigned Director, DCI:

Support the Division with a variety of internal projects.

3) Office of General Counsel (OGC): The Office of General Counsel Intern will prepare a report on the history, legal framework, and operations of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). This role provides the opportunity to understand ARC and the grant management process. The Intern will conduct research and interviews to detail ARC’s founding and its historical context, as well as review the Appalachian Regional Development Act and the Appalachian Regional Commission Code to summarize its current grant allocation process. The final report will inform current and new ARC staff, Local Development Districts, and external partners about ARC's origins and operations.

OGC Internship Responsibilities:

Prepare a report on the history, legal framework, and operations of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Conduct research and interviews to explore ARC’s founding and historical context. - Review the Appalachian Regional Development Act and the ARC Code to summarize the current grant allocation process.
Create a final report to inform ARC staff, Local Development Districts, and external partners about ARC's origins and operations.

4) Office of Executive Director Division – Technical Assistance (TA): TA is an integral component of ARC and the services it provides to its stakeholders to equip them with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources necessary to successfully access and manage federal funding offered through its various programs and initiatives.

TA Internship Responsibilities:

Assist in collecting, cleaning, and transforming data related to ARC’s technical assistance offerings.
Analyze and interpret data to provide insight into key areas of need, challenge, or opportunity as they pertain to direct and intermediary beneficiaries of TA.
Organize and present data using a workable spreadsheet/dashboard that can be used as a future and ongoing source of reference in the planning and design of TA-related resources and activities (i.e., Tableau or PowerBI)
Draft brief on findings and ways to utilize the dashboard/visualization tool.
Present dashboard/visualization tool and findings to ARC staff and relevant stakeholders.

Other duties as assigned by Program Analyst [TA]:
Anticipated deliverables: 1 dashboard that contains cataloged TA analysis/evaluation findings, 1 ARC project application, 1 report [written or PPT report to summarize key findings based both on evaluation and experience], presentation to ARC staff and other relevant stakeholders using PPT and/or preferred visualization tools.

Why ARC?
The ARC Intern will embark on a journey to develop leadership and research skills, gain invaluable insight into ARC's strategic investments, and understand the impactful interventions that uplift Appalachian communities. With a competitive hourly rate of $22.00 (after applicable taxes and statutory deductions), this opportunity allows the intern to be compensated directly by ARC as a temporary, intermittent employee. This transformative experience will take place at ARC's offices in Washington, DC.
Benefits:

Employer-sponsored housing
Competitive pay
Metro benefits
Travel stipend
Hybrid work schedule

Equal Employment Policy
ARC is an equal employment opportunity employer and endeavors to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified applicants with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of ARC’s business. If an applicant believes he or she requires such assistance to complete the application or to participate in an interview, he or she should contact the Director, Human Resources. If an applicant has any questions or concerns, he or she should reach out to the Lisa Pansegrouw, Director, Human Resources at 202.884.7770 or at [email protected]

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Please listed your areas of interest (i.e. Business & Workforce Investment (BWI) division, Critical Infrastructure (DCI) division, etc.) based on the Divisions in the ad.*

The internship will start on June 2nd - July 25th.*

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I certify that the facts contained in this application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge and understand that, if employed, falsified statements on or attached to this application shall be grounds for dismissal. I authorize any person, organization, or company listed on this application to furnish to ARC any and all information concerning my previous employment, education, and qualifications for employment. I also authorize ARC to request and receive such information and conduct reference and job-related background checks. I release ARC, all employers, and all those that provide background information from any and all liability and damages for receiving or releasing information. If a conditional or tentative offer is made, I agree I may be requested to undergo inquiries and I understand that employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of those examinations and inquiries. I understand that if I am hired, I will be required to provide proof of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States and that federal immigration laws require me to complete and I-9 Form in this regard. I understand that this employer does not unlawfully discriminate in employment and no question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or eliminating any applicant for consideration for employment on any basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal law. I understand and agree that, if hired, my employment if for no definite period and may, regardless of the date of payment of my wages and salary, be terminated at any time in accordance with ARC policies. To confirm that you have read and agree to the disclaimer statement, please type your full name.*

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The Commission offers a range of inspiring career opportunities for those interested in economic development and the Appalachian Region—including positions in grant management, communications, finance, human resources, technology, and other areas.

2025 ELEVATE Interns

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