Intern: Operations Team

 Administration & Operations Internship – Operations Team, Compliance and Governance

Fall/Spring 2026-2027

Learning Opportunity Description

Department:                                     Management & General --Operations

Type of Internship:                        Part-time (20 - 25 hours per week)

Cycle:                                                  September 28, 2026 – March 23, 2027

                                                  (Break period: December 4 – January 25)

Location:                                            Houston Preferred

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is a leading civil rights organization in the Lone Star State.

Our vision: From Amarillo to Brownsville and Beaumont to El Paso, we believe in a Texas that works for all of us — a Texas where each person has an equal say in the decisions that shape our future, and everyone can build a good life.

Our mission: The ACLU of Texas works with communities, at the State Capitol, and in the courts to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for every Texan, no exceptions.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The ACLU of Texas invites individuals, including undergraduate and graduate students, to apply for an internship on the Operations team.  The Operations Intern works within the Administration & Operations department’s focus on Privacy & Data Governance. This focus enables the ACLU of Texas to protect data in its possession and be a leader within the organization on non-profit data governance practices. It provides centralized governance for organizational data policies and privacy controls and works to establish and document consistent practices that meet evolving regulatory and organizational expectations for data protection and privacy.  Individuals passionate about civil liberties who are interested in developing skills in nonprofit operations, privacy, and data governance within the local and state social justice context will find an internship with the ACLU of Texas to be a rewarding learning experience.  

We are looking for individuals who are curious, creative, and detail-oriented; have strong critical thinking skills.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

Time Commitment: Internships are part-time, requiring a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week. We prefer that part-time interns commit to working full workdays (i.e., two eight-hour days rather than four four-hour days). but schedules can be flexible. Whilst the organization operates in a hybrid work environment, we require the candidate to be in Texas, preferably in the Houston, TX area. Interns are expected to have access to a computer and reliable internet. Houston-area based interns are welcome to work in our headquarters located in Downtown Houston.   

 Duration: 

• 2026 Fall internship: 8 weeks (September 28, 2026, to Dec. 04, 2026)
• 2027 Spring internship: 8 weeks (January 26, 2027, to March 23,2027) 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 As an intern with the ACLU of Texas Operations team, you will support meaningful work that strengthens the organization’s ability to advance civil liberties and social justice. This internship offers hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, compliance, privacy, and data governance, including opportunities to assist with research, documentation, process analysis, project coordination, and implementation of organizational best practices. You will work closely with members of the Administration & Operations team and collaborate across departments to help develop consistent, effective systems that support the ACLU of Texas’ mission and community impact.

 Learning opportunities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assisting with data identification, data minimization, and subject rights
• Supporting the strengthening of internal data and compliance strategies
• Drafting reports, memoranda, and staff education materials
• Participating in inter-departmental/third-party meetings regarding policies and procedures impacting organizational data governance
• Project management, research, analytics (survey design, and management).

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Interns should possess the following:

• Affinity toward increasing knowledge of data governance principles and practices, including data confidentiality and privacy considerations.
• Desire to broadly understand the current privacy regulation landscape in the U.S. and Texas
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, including the ability to compose, edit, and proof correspondence and documents.
• Strong research and organizational skills are important.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• A commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, and social justice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of data management systems and how they operate
• Knowledge of non-profit management and operations
• Experience developing compliance strategies.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the internship cycle as decisions are made on a rolling basis.

• Fall/Spring Term: Applications will be closed on August 15, 2026.

COMPENSATION

This is a paid internship for $17/hour.  

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The ACLU of Texas is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Texas encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction.