Partnership Internship Program Contact For more information about the Public Service Internship Program or for questions about your application, please contact: intern@ourpublicservice.org(202) 775–9111 Back to all job openings Partnership Internship Program The Partnership Internship Program is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students as well as recent graduates to contribute to the Partnership’s mission while developing valuable professional skills. Interns work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Their responsibilities vary but often include event planning and execution, research, writing and outreach to external partners, including federal agencies and colleges and universities. The program also incorporates opportunities for professional and personal growth through workshops and trainings specifically geared toward students and young professionals, such as networking, office etiquette, resume reviews and interviewing. Interns are also invited to participate in staff-wide workshops and trainings, including lunch and learns with speakers such as high-ranking government officials and corporate partners. Interns complete a learning agreement at the start, a mid-point review, and an end-of-term evaluation. Interns are supervised by a full-time staff member on their team, in addition to having the support of three intern coordinators. Program Dates Summer 2025 May 27 to Aug. 22* Application Period:Jan. 27 through March 3 Notification:Early April Fall 2025 Sept. 3 to Dec. 20* Application Period:May 1 through June 2 Notification:Early August Spring 2025 Jan. 21 to May 23* Application Period:Sept. 6 through Oct. 7 Notification:Early November *Exceptions for start date may be considered if academic obligations interfere with alternative college/university schedules. Jump to positions Who Should Apply The Partnership strives to be an inclusive organization that fosters learning, collaboration and respect. We actively recruit for diversity in our workplace, believing that a range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences contributes to our mission of revitalizing government. We seek extraordinary undergraduate students, graduate students and recent graduates with: A commitment to public service. Strong written and oral communication. Excellent customer service skills. Analytical thinking. An ability to work well in teams. There is no single academic major or background we prefer over another—if you share our passion and are committed to developing your skills while gaining valuable experience, we want to hear from you! Where Our Interns Come From Partnership interns represent a range of geographical regions, educational institutions and fields of study. We hire interns through a standardized application process and pay them in accordance with the rates listed below. Anyone from any school can be a competitive candidate and is welcome to apply! While we welcome applicants and hire students and recent graduates from any school nationwide, we do maintain several partnerships with specific universities. Through the generous contributions of donors, these specific schools have restricted funds they can use specifically to support their students who intern at the Partnership. Students from these schools apply through our regular process and, if selected, are paid through their respective colleges or universities at rates determined by their institution. We are grateful for these donor-funded internships and try to maximize their use each term by providing priority consideration to applicants from these schools first: Florida International University Ohio State University – John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP) Syracuse University – Maxwell School of Public Affairs Trinity Washington University University of California schools – UCDC Washington Center program University of Maryland University of Michigan University of Pennsylvania University of Texas at Austin – LBJ School of Public Affairs A few times each year, the Partnership also applies for interns through school-based or third-party programs or fellowships that place interns at host sites. Students from these programs, if selected, are also paid through their respective programs at rates determined by their program. Location and Hours This is a DC-based, hybrid internship (mix of in-person and remote work). Per Partnership policy, all full-time employees will be expected to work from the office a minimum of 2x per week. Interns must reside and have a permanent address in the Washington Metropolitan Region for the duration of their internship. Partnership meetings and activities typically occur Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. Most of our internship positions are designed to be full-time (40 hours per week) in order to maximize all components of the internship program, however we will consider part-time schedules on certain teams. Some internship roles supporting program delivery require specific work hours and are not ideal for interns available less than 30 hours per week. Typically, we cannot accommodate any work schedule of less than 20 hours per week. The internship is subject to a “Bring Your Own Technology” policy meaning the internship requires the intern to provide and use their own personal computer capable of accessing the internet and to have access to a high-speed internet connection during the work day. How to Apply To apply, follow the “Apply” link found below the internship position descriptions. Before applying, carefully read the descriptions to determine which position(s) you are best qualified for and most interested in pursuing. While each position requires a commitment to public service, the descriptions detail the skills and competencies necessary for each particular position. Selection Process The applicant review and selection process depends on the number of applicants, though we strive to conduct interviews (phone interviews) and have offers extended within a month after the application deadline. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we do review resumes on a rolling basis and reserve the right to fill positions before the application deadline. Compensation Interns receive the following compensation: Full-time interns will receive $1,500 per month. Part-time intern compensation will be pro-rated accordingly. Internship Positions Federal Hiring and Employee Engagement The Partnership’s Federal Workforce team helps our government address critical talent gaps by advocating for policies that improve the hiring process, administering internship and fellowship programs that inspire young, diverse talent to public service, and helping agencies design and implement new recruitment and retention strategies. Federal Hiring and Employee Engagement interns have the unique opportunity to develop leadership and management skills by helping our team deliver a variety of programs for federal employees and for career development professionals at universities across the country. During their internship, interns will learn more about project management, data collection and analysis, relationship management, event planning and logistics, customer service, and the federal hiring process. At the end of their term, interns will walk away with a greater understanding of how federal agencies keep their employees engaged and how the federal government builds pipelines of new talent into its workforce. Application Closed Business Development The Partnership’s Business Development team plays a critical role in identifying and developing fee-for-service opportunities, building relationships with federal clients, and growing the Partnership’s reach, impact and revenue. The team collaborates across our organization to sell services that foster leadership development; team building; employee engagement; recruitment and retention; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Partnership helps federal employees improve leadership capacity and transform government from within. During the internship, the intern may learn more about data collection and analysis, revenue tracking and forecasting, proposal development, relationship management, customer service, process flows, policy development, contract administration, marketing, and other aspects of the business development lifecycle. At the end of their term, the intern will walk away with a greater understanding of the challenges faced by federal agencies and how the Partnership supports the government while also growing our impact through business development efforts. Application Closed Leadership Institute The Public Service Leadership Institute hosts programs and training sessions that aim to develop strong leaders, engage employees, encourage innovation and build participants’ federal networks. Leadership Insitute interns have the unique opportunity to develop leadership and project management skills by helping deliver programs for federal employees with the Public Service Leadership Institute team. During their internship, interns will learn more about project management, relationship management, event planning and logistics, customer service, professionalism and leadership development theory. At the end of their term, interns will walk away with a greater understanding of how the federal government and its agencies work and how federal employees can lead at every level. Application Closed Center for Presidential Transition The Center for Presidential Transition helps presidential candidates, incumbent administrations and federal agencies navigate the transition process and ensure new candidates and appointees are ready to govern. Spring 2025 is a busy time supporting these three primary audiences as a new administration begins as well as managing proposals to improve future transitions and preparing political appointees to serve in current and future administrations. The Center offers interns an opportunity to contribute to a historic process while learning more about the federal government and developing expertise in a niche subject area. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills, qualitative and quantitative research skills, strong attention to detail and time management skills. Additionally, the ideal candidates will take initiative, demonstrate strong interpersonal skills as a member of the team, be able to thrive in a fast-paced, changing work environment and commit to serving in a nonpartisan manner. Application Closed Communications The Partnership’s communication efforts are designed to change public perceptions, educate the public about the need for a high-performing government and help connect citizens to their government. In addition, the Communications team ensures that Partnership programs and activities are heard, understood and actionable. Communications interns are integral communications team members who assist with writing, editing, and brainstorming new ideas. Our interns generate the Partnership’s weekly newsletter; help the team plan and execute events from start to finish including the Partnership’s annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals; manage the Partnership’s social media outreach including Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn; support media relations efforts; work with our creative team to produce high-quality graphics, photos, and videos; and assist with our email marketing, event invitations and constituent database. This is a terrific opportunity for individuals who are interested or have experience in communications, marketing or event planning. Application Open Development The Partnership’s fundraising efforts extend across the organization and focus on ensuring long-term financial viability. The Development team identifies, cultivates and secures financial and in-kind support for the Partnership’s programs and activities. The Development intern will learn the basics of nonprofit fundraising and relationship management, including how to conduct prospect research, cultivate new donors and work with our corporate sponsors and other existing supporters. Specific responsibilities may include: identifying and researching prospective sponsorship and foundation grant opportunities; drafting correspondence related to Partnership programs; providing support for internal and external meetings, including preparing, note-taking and observing; assisting with mailings or email invitation sends; and tracking and acknowledging incoming donations using our customer management system (Salesforce). Exceptional written and spoken communication skills are essential. Application Closed Government Affairs The Government Affairs team is the Partnership’s voice on policy – particularly focused on the legislative and regulatory policies that impact the federal workforce and federal management of agencies. The Government Affairs team offers interns the opportunity to become more informed about the legislative and regulatory process, and the policies and practices of the federal government. It also provides an opportunity to see how advocacy occurs through the lens of a non-profit and how we can drive change through our work. It is a hands-on position with an opportunity to tailor the internship to the areas of interest of the intern. Application Closed Research, Analysis and Evaluation The Partnership’s Research, Analysis and Evaluation (RAE) team helps federal leaders make the government more effective by studying, analyzing and sharing information about the federal workforce, federal leaders, and the public’s engagement with and trust in government. More specifically, team addresses topics such as government innovation, federal customer experience, and recruiting, hiring and hiring federal employees. The RAE team also oversees the Partnership’s learning, evaluation and data science portfolio. RAE interns will have the opportunity to grow qualitative and/or quantitative research skills, working on things like innovative research projects, high-visibility reports and impactful data analysis. Examples include the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® Rankings and the. Additionally, interns may assist in evaluating the short-and long-term outcomes of the Partnership’s programs. Application Closed Federal Executive Networks The Federal Executive Networks team convenes government executives, current and former, to help them build critical connections with their peers across government and develop strategies to address the most pressing issues facing their agencies. Federal Executive Networks Programs interns have the unique opportunity to listen to senior federal leaders discuss implementing policy changes within their agencies including efforts to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, artificial intelligence and others. Interns will learn more about program management, relationship management, information gathering and analysis, database maintenance, event planning and logistics and customer service. At the end of their term, interns will walk away with a greater understanding of the policy implementation challenges and key management, legal and operational issues that the federal government is addressing, as well as the vital role that leaders play. Application Closed The Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any application for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.
