Policy Internship

Policy interns spend winter quarter or spring semester working in Olympia as staff for members of the Washington State House of Representatives or Senate. In addition to their office work, interns participate in weekly academic seminars and workshops. The seminars include meeting with state officials, as well as panel discussions. In the workshops, interns take part in a budget exercise, mock hearing, and mock floor debate. They learn parliamentary procedure and how to write for the Legislature. Additionally, interns have the opportunity to shadow an elected official or administrator of a state agency and learn about his/her job. Click here for fequently asked questions about the policy internship.

Intern Duties:

• Conducting legislative research
• Bill tracking
• Attending hearings and meetings
• Corresponding with constituents
• Office duties

Eligibility:

• Juniors and seniors, of all ages, from four-year universities and colleges in Washington
• All majors and disciplines
• Must register for undergraduate academic credit
• Must comply with school or departmental qualifications and requirements (Some schools have a pre-selection process. Check with your school.)

Desired Qualifications:

• A strong desire to learn about public policy and the legislative process 
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Strong work ethic
• Mature judgment
• Ability to handle a fast-paced environment

How to apply:

1.) Download an application in Word or  PDF.

2.) A complete application will include the following materials.  Please see application for more explicit directions.

• Written Essay
• Current Resume
• Cover Letter
• Faculty Reference Letter
• Personal Reference Letter

3.) Send (DO NOT E-MAIL) application materials to:

Senate Intern Coordinator
P.O. Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98504-0482

All application materials are due in Olympia by October 30th.

One application applies to both House and Senate internship programs.  Letters of recommendation should be addressed to "Intern Coordinators".  Letters may be emailed by the recommender to civic.ed@leg.wa.gov or sent hard copy, in which case they must be signed and sealed with the recommender's name across the flap.  Please indicate on your application if your letters of recommendation are enclosed or if they are being sent separately.

Applicants must also arrange for a faculty sponsor. Some schools have pre-assigned sponsors and others require the student to find a sponsor. Check with your school’s career development center, internship coordinator(s) or political science department for specific internship requirements if you have questions. The sponsor and the faculty member writing the letter of recommendation do not have to be the same person.

All applicants are interviewed by House and Senate Coordinators in November.  Most interviews take place on your school's campus.  Students attending schools near Olympia will be interviewed at the Capitol. 

For more information, contact:

Samantha Barrera barrera.samantha@leg.wa.gov House Intern Coordinator P.O. Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600 360-786-7993

Judi Best                                               best.judi@leg.wa.gov Senate Intern Coordinator P.O. Box 40482 Olympia, WA 98504-0482 360-786-7451

Click here to watch the intern program video. 

Click here to see the intern photo gallery.

General Information

Duration of Internship

Internships begin in early January of each year. In even-numbered years, session lasts 60 days, and in odd-numbered years, 105 days. Subject to legislative approval, students may be able to stay beyond winter quarter during the 105-day session.

Housing

Students are responsible for their own housing. However, Olympia has plentiful housing during session, and finding reasonable accommodations is usually not a problem. A list of available housing is provided shortly after selection is made and interns may also choose to be on a roommate list. Interns are encouraged to seek housing as soon as possible after selection.

Transportation

Paid parking is available near campus. Olympia also has a public transportation system and interns are eligible for a monthly bus pass. Carpools are often arranged among interns and other session staff.

School Credit

Students must receive credit from a Washington college or university for the internship. The type and amount of credit and other academic requirements are determined by the school. Click here to find out who is the coordinator for your school. 

Compensation

Interns receive a monthly compensation (taxable) of $1290 per month to offset the expenses associated with the internship. Interns from schools outside Thurston County also receive mileage for one round trip from their school. Session employees, including interns, do not receive benefits.

Work Hours

The legislative work week is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Occasional weekend or evening work is possible. Legislative staff, including interns, work on official holidays and only in exceptional circumstances may take leave during session.

The Washington State Legislature is an equal opportunity employer. Persons needing assistance with the application process or who need the application in an alternative format should contact:

Senate Intern Coordinator: 360-786-7451
House Intern Coordinator: 360-786-7993
Legislative TTY Hotline: 1-800-635-9993