Lonnie Dounn Congressional Fellowship

Position Title: Lonnie Dounn Congressional Fellowship

Reports To: J Street U Operations and Programming Coordinator

Location: Washington, DC (In Person)

Internship Duration: September-December 2026

Hours: 15-20/week, part-time

Compensation: $18/hr

Looking to be a positive change-maker and build connections on the Hill and in the Israel/Palestine advocacy space?  Apply for J Street’s Lonnie Dounn Congressional Fellowship!

The Position

J Street is seeking undergraduate students to participate in its 2026 Fall Congressional Fellowship Program. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in the offices of Members of Congress and learn about the inner workings of the House of Representatives or Senate. 

J Street will offer mentorship, trainings, and networking opportunities throughout the fellowship.

Responsibilities May Include:

• Supporting the day to day function of a congressional office by performing tasks such as
  • Constituent support and outreach
  • Researching bills and letters circulating in Congress
  • Attending hearings and briefings
• Performing administrative and organizational tasks
• Attending leadership trainings and other professional gatherings organized by J Street.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Effective, responsive communicator
• Strong relational and interpersonal skills
• Careful attention to detail
• Interest in and/or knowledge of Congress
• Interest in and/or knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Fellowship Stipend Amount and Time Commitment

The fellowship is a part-time, 15-20 hour per week time commitment. Fellows will be paid $18 per hour. J Street can coordinate with your university if it offers course credit for the fellowship. Exact hours and dates for the fellowship are flexible and will be coordinated based on the availability of the fellow and the needs of the congressional office.

To Apply for the Position

We are excited to receive applications from a broad range of applicants as we grow our organization to better reflect the diversity of the communities that care about our mission. While we will prioritize applications from current J Street U students, all motivated pro-Israel pro-peace students are encouraged to apply. Applicants are considered on a rolling basis. 

Please submit the items listed below:

1. Cover letter that explains why you are interested in this unique experience 
2. Resume 
3. List of three references
4. Answer the following prompt: In 300-500 words, why is working with Congress important to J Street's mission of advancing peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians?

J Street will assist in placing successful applicants in congressional offices. Ultimately, offices make their own personnel decisions and we cannot ensure placement in a given office.

Admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to submit their materials as early as possible to ensure ideal placement in a congressional office. Applicants who move on to further consideration may be contacted for a telephone interview after review of their application, and may need to submit additional materials.

Please note: Upon admission into the program, you may be required to compose and submit additional materials (for example, recommendation letters, office-specific cover letters, writing tests or online applications) for the congressional offices at which your candidacy is under consideration.

At J Street we value an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to understanding and valuing each other’s perspectives at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our employees, and the communities we work with. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment and fellowship, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.