Communications Department

The Communications Department writes and distributes NPPC’s messages through a variety of media outlets to a diverse audience – Capitol Hill legislators and staff, agency departments, news media, pork producer members and the public. All written materials produced by NPPC pass through the Communications Department. These include letters from NPPC to members of Congress and federal agencies, testimony and comments submitted on behalf of NPPC, new releases, media advisories and NPPC publications. The Washington, D.C., Public Policy Center generates three main publications: Pork Daily Intelligence, a daily e-mail of pork industry news clippings; Capital Update, a weekly policy brief; and Capital Pork Report, a monthly legislative magazine. The Communications Department also produces a quarterly Political Action Committee (PAC) report, an issues handbook, meeting materials and handouts. The communications staff takes photographs at events and edits the images to be used in publications and on the website. Updating the website daily, managing the homepage content and highlighting the current issues are essential to communicating NPPC’s messages. The department also handles dozens of press calls and coordinates interviews between the media and NPPC officers and pork producers.

Communications Intern Responsibilities

The communications intern reports to the Director and Assistant Director of Communication. The intern provides support primarily to these two positions through various tasks, which require strong writing, analytical and communications skills. Daily, the intern will research, collect and read media pieces related to the pork industry for the Pork Daily Intelligence. He or she also will attend meetings and congressional hearings when necessary to take photos and report important information, therefore, a strong interest in public policy is beneficial. Weekly, the intern will write a summary of legislative affairs related to the pork industry for Capital Update. The intern will assist in the writing and graphic design of newsletters, brochures and the website. The media contact list, membership list and publications lists are the intern’s duty to maintain and update. The intern also assists in creating informational packets for NPPC meetings and conferences.

This internship opportunity is designed to provide the participant with agriculture policy experience, writing samples, the ability to complete a relevant project of interest and to develop photography, graphic design and website skills.

Required Skills

The ideal candidate for the communications intern position will have:

• Strong computer skills especially knowledge of Adobe and Microsoft Professional Office, including Excel, Word, Publisher and FrontPage.
• Excellent writing skills, using AP style.
• Ability to quickly perform Internet research.
• Interest in publication layout, graphic design, photography and website maintenance.
• Comprehension of government relations and the public policymaking process.
• Strong work ethic, self-drive, attention to detail, strong motivation to succeed and a sense of urgency toward achieving goals.

Questions? Contact Meghan Cline at clinem@nppc.org.