Contact

For more information about the Public Service Internship Program or for questions about your application, please contact:

[email protected]
(202) 775–9111

Public Service Internship Program

The Public Service 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. Additionally, there is time allocated to support the organization by taking shifts to staff the front desk and assisting other teams as needed.

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 brownbag speakers such as high-ranking government officials and corporate partners. Interns complete a learning agreement at the start, a mid-point review and 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 and an assigned buddy.

Program Dates

Spring 2023

January-May*

Application Period:
Sept. 15 through Nov. 6

Notification:
Early December

Summer 2023

June-August*

Application Period:
Jan. 18 through March 2

Notification:
Early April

Fall 2023

September-December *

Application Period:
May 24 through July 5

Notification:
Early August

*Please note that the exact start and end dates of internships may vary depending upon a team’s needs and an applicant’s availability within the given terms. We will work with individuals based on academic or work-related reasons.

Jump to open 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.
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 welcomed 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 college or university 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:

American University
Florida International University
George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government
George Washington University
Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP)
Syracuse University
Trinity Washington University
University of California schools- UCDC Washington Center program
University of Maryland’s Federal Fellows and Global Fellows programs
University of Michigan
University of Pennsylvania
University of Texas at Austin’s 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

Per Partnership policy, those located in the Washington Metropolitan Region (which includes the District of Columbia, Montgomery and Prince Georges counties, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church) will be expected to work from the office, minimum, 2x per week.

On a case-by-case basis, some teams may consider remote internships.

Interns must perform the entirety of their internship in the United States.

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 schedules less than 20 hours per week.

Partnership meetings and activities typically occur Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. While some teams may choose to accommodate remote interns who work in other time zones, please be advised that the majority of intern assignments will take place during these hours. Since time zones and assignments will vary by intern candidates and teams, specific needs will be discussed during the interview stage of the hiring process.

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.

Vaccine Policy

All Partnership employees, regardless of position or physical location, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as a condition of employment. For new employees, a simple unnotarized copy of the official vaccination card or a notarized COVID-19 Vaccination Form attesting to full vaccination must be provided to human resources within two weeks after the start date.

If you believe you qualify for an exception from the requirements of this policy, for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs, you must provide a letter (on letterhead) from your doctor or clergy to the Vice President of Human Resources. The Partnership will explore potential reasonable accommodations for you that would not cause undue hardship to the Partnership. However, such reasonable accommodations are not required and cannot be guaranteed.

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

Federal Hiring and Employee Engagement team interns have the unique opportunity to develop leadership and management skills by helping our team deliver a variety of programs for federal employees. Our programs aim to improve employee engagement; strengthen federal agency’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts; inspire the next generation to consider a career in federal government; engage employees outside of the beltway on the West Coast; and connect leaders seeking to address common workforce challenges across government.

Examples of the programming interns may support on this team include fellowship programs such as the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative and the Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations, custom work directly with agencies to improve their employee engagement and DEI efforts, programs for federal employees in California such as the Public Service Leadership Circle training program, and various projects that aim to support federal agencies in reforming their hiring processes.

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.

Apply

Public Service Leadership Institute

Public Service Leadership Institute interns have the unique opportunity to develop leadership and management skills by helping our team deliver a variety of programs for federal employees. Our programs and trainings aim to develop strong leaders, engage employees, encourage innovation and build our participants’ federal networks. An example of the programming this team is involved in would include our Excellence in Government Fellows Program or our Mission Support Leadership Program, both geared toward federal employees across government.

During their internship, interns will learn more about project management, relationship management, event planning and logistics, customer service, 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.

Apply

Center for Presidential Transition

The Center for Presidential Transition helps presidential candidates and their transition teams, second-term administrations and federal agencies navigate the transition process and ensure a first term or second term administration is ready to govern. As we prepare for the next presidential transition, we are evaluating lessons learned from the 2020-21 transition, developing proposals to improve future transitions, and preparing political appointees to serve in the administration.

Center interns will play an important part in supporting our efforts to learn lessons from the 2020-21 transition lessons and preparing our transition resources for the 2024 transition cycle. Interns support events that educate leaders in government and members of the public about presidential transition, conduct in-depth research on transition-related issues and assist with program administration.

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, data analysis skills, strong attention to detail and time management skills. Additionally, the ideal candidates will take initiative, be able to thrive in a fast-paced, changing work environment and commit to serving in a nonpartisan manner.

Apply

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 members of the Communications team and 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 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.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, a team player and has excellent writing, organization and public speaking skills. Interns will have the opportunity to develop experience representing the Partnership to the public. Interns also gain experience using CRM and email marketing systems, web and graphic design programs, media monitoring tools and other highly marketable skills for communications professionals.

Apply

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.

Apply

Government Affairs

The Government Affairs team is the Partnership’s voice on Capitol Hill, working to advance the organization’s good government agenda by building bridges of understanding between federal agencies and Congress, promoting useful technologies to improve federal service delivery, advocating for the modernization of America’s civil service system and sharing the Partnership’s work with committees, members and their staff.

Interns on the Government Affairs team will follow Hill activity related to our core initiatives of civil service modernization and government reform, while helping deliver content to congressional staff and agency employees with the goal of improving understanding between branches of government. Interns will also assist with our initiative to strengthen congressional resiliency and restore Congress as a co-equal branch of government. The Government Affairs team offers interns the opportunity to become more informed about the legislative process and the policies and practices of the federal government.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication, teamwork and time management skills, flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, and a commitment to public service.

Apply

Research, Analysis and Program Evaluation

The Partnership’s research team advises government on topics such as customer experience, data, recruiting and hiring talent, innovation, employee engagement, generational interest in government, performance management and presidential transition. The Research, Analysis and Evaluation team also oversees the Partnership’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning portfolio.

Research, Analysis and Evaluation interns will have the opportunity to grow qualitative research skills by working on high-visibility reports, insightful issue briefs and innovative research projects that aim to make the government more effective. Examples include the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® Rankings and the Customer Experience Profiles. Additionally, interns may assist in evaluating the short-and long-term outcomes of the Partnership’s programs and support efforts to modernize technology in government.

Interns’ specific responsibilities will include a combination of conducting background research for literature reviews, scheduling interviews and roundtables, taking notes, attending and writing summaries of interviews with federal leaders and private sector experts. Many activities will revolve around preparing for and transcribing qualitative interviews. Research interns also may assist in planning and carrying out the coordination of roundtable discussions and public-facing report release events. Interns may also assist with survey design and qualitative and quantitative data collection.

The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for public service, an interest in social science research and event planning, possess strong writing skills and be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Apply

Federal Executive Networks

Federal Executive Networks Programs interns have the unique opportunity to learn about the latest management challenges that senior federal leaders are addressing and to acquire program management skills. The Federal Executive Networks team convenes government executives, current and former, to help them build critical connections with their peers across government, share promising practices and learn from one another.

Examples of the networks that the intern will support include the General Counsel Exchange, an active group of agency legal advisors, as well as the Assistant Secretaries for Administration and Management Roundtable where senior leaders confer on management issues including budget and finance, human capital, information technology, acquisition and facilities. Our Strategic Advisors to Government Executives (SAGE) network pairs former federal leaders with opportunities to share their expertise with current executives.

Interns will learn more about program management, relationship management, information gathering and analysis, database maintenance, virtual event planning and logistics, and customer service. At the end of their term, interns will walk away with a greater understanding of the key management, legal, and operational issues that the federal government is addressing and vital role that leaders play. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail and time management skills.

Apply

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.