Intern, Inclusion & Belonging

Best Friends Animal Society

Job Description

Location: Remote
Compensation: $15.00 per hour (or minimum wage in jurisdiction, if higher)
Time Commitment: 25 hours per week for 6 months (April 21, 2025 – October 17, 2025)
Recruitment Timeline: This position will remain open until 12 pm EST on 2/28 or until we receive 100 applications, whichever comes first.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION: Best Friends Animal Society is a national non-profit focused on ending the killing of cats and dogs in America's shelters by 2025. Best Friends is leading the no-kill movement by running lifesaving community programs for dogs and cats, providing support and training for animal shelters and rescue groups, and mobilizing community members on behalf of pets in need across the country.
The communities we partner with are diverse and multicultural – and we want that to be reflected within our organization. We welcome our employees’ unique wisdom, special skills, passion, and whole self to the workplace. We believe that our differences are pivotal to uniting the movement and achieving our mission. Our hiring practices are based on kindness and treating all living things, people, animals and the planet, as we would like to be treated. We encourage candidates who can add to our culture by bringing their fresh perspectives and unique lived experiences to apply.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Inclusion & Belonging Intern will play a crucial role in supporting and driving the efforts of Best Friends’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) office in developing and implementing DEIB initiatives. This role involves actively supporting various programs and projects aimed at fostering an inclusive workplace culture and enhancing intercultural competence. The Inclusion & Belonging intern will conduct comprehensive research, gather and analyze data, and assist in organizing training sessions, workshops, and events. Furthermore, they will participate in team meetings and proactively contribute ideas to enhance and elevate organizational inclusivity practices.

The Inclusion & Belonging Intern reports to the DEIB Manager and will receive regular supervision and feedback. The minimum time commitment for this position is 25 hours per week at $15.00 per hour for 6 months. This is a remote internship. Students seeking college credit are welcome to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
-Work with DEIB staff to develop and implement innovative diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives to foster a truly inclusive workplace culture.
-Conduct in-depth research and analyze and present data.
-Cultivate relationships with external organizations and communities of care to support DEIB initiatives and broaden outreach efforts.
-Assist in the execution of impactful training sessions, workshops, and events designed to promote diversity and inclusion.
-Spearhead the creation of tools for assessing the effectiveness of DEIB initiatives, including designing surveys and feedback mechanisms.
-Actively engage in team meetings, offering valuable insights and recommendations to enhance organizational inclusivity practices and advance DEIB initiatives.
-Foster open and honest communication with colleagues to build strong, inclusive relationships and encourage personal and professional growth through feedback loops.
-Serve as a dedicated DEIB advocate within the organization, championing awareness and understanding of DEIB principles and practices.
-Create DEIB-related content for internal communication platforms, such as newsletters, social media channels, and the organization’s internal website.
-Treat people around you with Kindness and Compassion, build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments, prioritize your well-being, and work to build strong inclusive relationships with your colleagues by participating in communication loops to share and receive honest feedback.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
-Develop a deep understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles and practices in a professional setting.
-Gain hands-on experience in supporting and driving DEIB initiatives, including research, data analysis, and program implementation.
-Acquire valuable skills in effectively organizing and facilitating training sessions, workshops, and events focused on promoting a culture of inclusivity.
-Enhance communication and teamwork skills by actively participating in team meetings and contributing innovative ideas to enhance organizational inclusivity practices.
-Demonstrate the ability to apply learned knowledge and skills to create tangible and sustainable impact in creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:
-A genuine passion for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, demonstrated through previous involvement in related initiatives or projects.
-A demonstrated understanding of cultural competency and the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences.
-Strong organizational skills, with the ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
-Adaptability/flexibility in a changing environment.
-Collaborative approach to teamwork – actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, exchange ideas, and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture.
-Able to conduct thorough research, analyze data, and compile insightful reports to promote and support DEIB initiatives effectively.
-Familiarity with various virtual communication tools and platforms used in remote work settings, with the ability to adapt to digital collaboration methods.
-Experience in event planning, workshop facilitation, or related areas is a plus.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by Best Friends Animal Society.

This is a part time job