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Legislative Intern Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Legislative Intern information

See Minnesota salary details

$9

$20

$42

How much do legislative intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for legislative intern in Minnesota is $20.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.95 and $19.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kinds of projects and responsibilities can a Legislative Intern expect to handle during their internship?

As a Legislative Intern, you can expect to assist with a variety of tasks such as conducting policy research, drafting memos or briefs, attending committee hearings, and helping with constituent correspondence. Interns often support legislative staff in preparing for meetings and may be asked to summarize complex legislative issues into concise reports. This hands-on experience offers valuable exposure to the legislative process and provides opportunities to collaborate with lawmakers, staffers, and other interns, making it an excellent way to build relevant skills and professional connections.

What is the difference between Legislative Intern vs Legislative Assistant?

AspectLegislative InternLegislative Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically students or recent graduates, some internships require coursework in political science or related fieldsUsually college graduates with relevant experience, sometimes with a background in political science or law
Work EnvironmentTemporary, entry-level position within government offices, legislative bodies, or advocacy groupsFull-time, professional role supporting legislators with research, policy analysis, and constituent communication
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by government offices, legislative chambers, and political organizations for training and entry-level supportCommon in legislative offices, government agencies, and political consulting firms for ongoing legislative support

In summary, a Legislative Intern is an entry-level, temporary position often held by students or recent graduates gaining exposure to legislative processes. A Legislative Assistant is a more experienced, full-time role involving substantive policy work and ongoing support for legislators. Both roles are essential in the legislative process but differ in responsibilities and experience requirements.

What are legislative interns?

Legislative interns are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who work temporarily for legislators, government offices, or advocacy organizations to gain firsthand experience in the legislative process. Their duties typically include conducting research, attending committee meetings, drafting correspondence, and assisting with constituent services. The internship provides valuable insight into how laws are made and the daily operations of a legislative office, making it a popular stepping stone for those interested in careers in government, public policy, or law.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Legislative Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legislative Intern, you need strong research, analytical, and writing skills, often supported by coursework in political science, public policy, or related fields. Familiarity with legislative tracking systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and document management tools is typically important. Exceptional communication, attention to detail, and adaptability help you excel in fast-paced, collaborative environments. These skills ensure you can effectively support legislative staff, manage information, and contribute to the policymaking process.
What are the most commonly searched types of Legislative jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Legislative jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Legislative Intern jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Legislative Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Legislative Intern job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 1% As Needed, 55% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,820 per year, or $20.6 per hour.
Behavioral Health Pre-Doctoral Intern

Behavioral Health Pre-Doctoral Intern

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$44K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

About the Job
 

Application Deadline Date: Friday, May 22, 2026. Interviews will occur end of May/beginning of June.

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH) at the University of Minnesota Medical School is inviting applications for one (1) pre-doctoral intern to join a vibrant team of faculty and postdoctoral fellows for a paid thirteen-month program beginning of August 2026. This training is specifically for family therapists interested in family medicine education and leadership in integrated behavioral healthcare. The clinic is located in east St. Paul, MN, serving a diverse patient population, primarily refugee and immigrant cultural groups from southeast Asia and east Africa. St. Johns includes 18 resident physicians, 12 physician faculty, pharmacy, behavioral health, and social work/care coordination on site. Faculty have a wide variety of clinical and research interests, including adolescents, womens health, obstetrics, procedures (ex: colonoscopy, vasectomy), sports medicine, chronic disease management, geriatrics, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and chronic pain management.

The trainee with engage in clinical work including psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families as well as integrated care opportunities including joint appointments, hallway consults, consults via electronic medical record etc. The trainee will also have educational and teaching opportunities including assisting with didactics and noon conferences, implementing resident wellbeing curriculum, and resident video reviews and shadowing. Additional training experiences include working alongside providers in pharmacy, social work/care coordination, in-patient medicine, addiction medicine, psychiatry, and sexual medicine. Eight hours per week will be designated for scholarly work.

Intern activities include: 

  • Integrated care/precepting duties. 
  • Teach family medicine residents through lectures, didactics, 1:1 consultation, and live/video review of their appointments with patients.
  • Conventional psychotherapy working with individuals, couples, and families. 
  • Work effectively in an interprofessional team (faculty physicians, resident physicians, clinical pharmacists, care coordinators, and many others). 
  • As indicated throughout the academic year, training experiences include working alongside providers through the residency in Pharmacy, Social Work/Care coordination, In-Patient medicine, psychiatry, sports medicine, and sexual medicine. 

Supervision will be provided by a MN state approved LMFT supervisor and an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved supervisor. Other supervisory experiences with departmental psychologists and post-doctoral primary care behavioral health psychology fellows may also occur.

Expected annual stipend will be $44,470.40, adjusted for the next fiscal year, according to University guidelines. 

Qualifications
 

***To be considered for this position, please submit/upload a curriculum vitae, doctoral transcript, and cover letter with your online application. Three letters of reference will be requested during the interview process, though you may attach these letters in advance by clicking on "My Job Applications," and uploading the documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section after you submit your application. ***

F-1 OPT candidates are eligible to apply.

Required Qualifications (must be mentioned on resume):

  • Currently enrolled in a doctoral program for marriage/couple and family therapy.
  • Passed National Licensing Exam for Marriage and Family Therapists and applied for Minnesota licensure or licensure in a state you plan to practice in prior to position commencement.
  • Authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The Department is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employement Visas for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Completed all doctoral level coursework strongly preferred. May make exceptions for applicants further along in online programs.
  • Advancement to doctoral candidacy prior to position commencement. 
About the Department
 

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota was created more than 50 years ago in response to a legislative mandate to train primary care physicians. Since then, we have been leaders in transforming the specialty through education, research, and patient care. We are the academic sponsor of seven family medicine residenciesfive in the Twin Cities, two in Greater Minnesota. We are involved in medical student education activities across the Medical School's two campuses: Twin Cities and Duluth. We sponsor five fellowship programssports medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, behavioral medicine, clinical informatics, and human sexuality and offer continuing medical education opportunities. We are regularly among the top National Institutes of Health-funded family medicine departments. Our faculty are actively researching health disparities, healthcare delivery, and population health. More at https://med.umn.edu/familymedicine.

Pay and Benefits
 

Pay Range: Expected annual stipend will be $44,470.40, adjusted for the next fiscal year, according to University and Medical School guidelines.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment 

Position Type: Pre-Doctoral Assistant

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
  • Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • University HSA contributions
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Employee wellbeing program
  • Financial counseling services
  • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
How To Apply
 

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Medical Family Therapy Consortium

This site participates in the Medical Family Therapy Consortium. The Consortium has established a process that ensures no conflicting interview dates and a standardization in how offers are made and accepted for Medical Family Therapy focused internships and fellowships.  After interviews with participating Consortium sites, applicants will submit a list ranking each site where they interviewed. A neutral convener will review the rank lists and distribute to the site supervisors. Site supervisors will use these lists to inform how offers are made. Please click here for a list of participating sites: https://www.medicalfamilytherapy.org/internshipsfellowships

To submit a rank list, scroll to the bottom of the above link and click on submit rank list. Dates for rank list submission and offers are forthcoming.

Questions? Contact Lisa Zak-Hunter, PhD, LMFT: zakx0031@umn.edu

Diversity
 

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements
 

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota
 

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of Americas Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).