Internship Remote Geography Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $0.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Internship
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-06672
Department: Office of Financial Management
Division: Forecasting and Research
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Please note: This Fellowship/Internship is an unpaid opportunity intended to provide participants with practical experience, professional growth, and exposure to public service. Fellow/Interns will engage in meaningful work, collaborate with experienced professionals, and develop knowledge and skills applicable to future career opportunities.
This posting will be utilized for multiple intern hires.
This role will be done on a flexible schedule and will be remote.
Why work for OFM:
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.
If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you've found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!
The Fellowship/Internship opportunity:
The Office of Financial Management's mission is to provide accurate and timely information, fiscal services, and policy support that the Governor, Legislature, and state agencies need to serve the people of Washington State. The Forecasting and Research Division provides high-quality data and objective analyses on key issues affecting state policy and budget development, including economic trends, population estimates, health care, education, and public safety.
This position is part of the Health Care Research Center that provides objective health care research, analyses, and forecasts for Washington State. On a temporary, volunteer basis, this position will conduct research, organize and summarize credible information sources, and develop an information management approach to support of the State Health Plan and Resource Strategy. This position will help identify and monitor emerging trends in health care delivery and technology and translate findings into usable summaries, tracking tools, and briefing materials for public-sector health system planning.
What you'll work on:
• Conduct environmental scans and targeted research on emerging trends in health care delivery, technology, system organization, workforce, facility financial sustainability, and health information. These efforts will help inform the responses to the overarching questions related to of the State Health Plan and Resource Strategy.
• Reviewacademic literature, policy reports, agency publications, trade publications, and other credible sources aligned with topic areas and questions. This position will explore both peer-reviewed and "grey" literature sources.
• Develop and maintain a source inventory and practical monitoring approach for recurring review of high-value sources on the internet. This inventory will be developed using a long-term strategy that can be updated and expanded as needed.
• Design a structured tracking tool, such as a SharePoint list, Excel workbook, database structure, or other information management tool, to capture emerging trends and relevant metadata. This tracking tool will be integrated into current OFM resources.
• Recommend fields, tags, and categories for organizing information by topic area, source type, affected population, geography, equity relevance, rural health relevance, access/quality/cost implications, data needs, and potential Certificate of Need considerations.
• Prepare brief written summaries of selected trends, including why the trend matters for the State Health Plan, potential implications, limitations, and suggested next steps.
• Collaborate with OFM staff to refine the monitoring process, test the tracking tool, and identify where additional subject matter expertise or data may be needed.
• Produce defined outputs, such as a source inventory, tracking tool, process guide, annotated research summaries, final memo, or presentation.
• Comply with OFM policies on confidentiality, information security, ethics, records management, and public-sector data governance.
What we need you to bring:

• Fellows:
  • Advanced degree preferred, such as MPA, MPH, MLIS, MS, PhD, or related degree; or equivalent training, knowledge, and experience in applied research, policy analysis, information science, public health, data science, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience conducting applied research, policy analysis, literature reviews, environmental scans, or knowledge management projects.
  • Ability to assess source credibility, identify policy-relevant themes, and prepare clear written summaries for a public-sector audience.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary research, policy, and program staff while completing defined deliverables within agreed-upon timelines.
  • Strong commitment to professional ethics, confidentiality, impartiality, accessibility, and public-sector data governance standards.
  Interns:
  • Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a graduate or advanced undergraduate program in public policy, public administration, public health, information science, library science, health services research, data science, statistics, economics, or a related field.
  • Foundational coursework or introductory experience in research methods, policy analysis, information management, data organization, or health policy.
  • Strong interest in applied public-sector research, health system planning, health technology, rural health, health equity, or health care delivery transformation.
  • Ability to work under close supervision, ask questions, incorporate feedback, and contribute effectively to team-based projects across OFM F&R units.
  • Capacity to commit to the required number of hours and complete assigned tasks within defined timelines.
  • Commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, impartiality, ethical conduct, and compliance with public-sector data governance requirements.

Desired qualifications:
• Experience with SharePoint lists or libraries, Excel, databases, dashboards, citation tools, taxonomies, tagging systems, or other information management tools.
• Experience preparing annotated bibliographies, literature reviews, policy scans, research briefs, or executive summaries.
• Familiarity with health care delivery models, telehealth, artificial intelligence, digital health, health system consolidation, private equity, rural health, health workforce issues, or Certificate of Need policy.
• Ability to organize complex information into a repeatable monitoring process and explain recommendations clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Fellows: advanced or terminal degree completion preferred. Interns: current enrollment in a graduate degree program preferred.
Supplemental Information
What we offer
At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.
Application Process:
Once you've decided to apply for this fellowship, you'll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person will read it. We do not use AI or any other technology to screen your application and reject it. Please ensure you provide clear, detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
When completing your application, please attach all of the following required documents:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their current contact information.

Questions:
OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at
The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.
This position is exempt from civil service rules.
For more information, please seeWAC 357-19-195.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportion