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Legislative Intern Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

New York Aquarium

Federal Legislative Intern

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$17 - $22/hr

Federal Legislative Intern Dates: September to December 2026, with flexible start and end dates to accommodate academic schedules Number of Openings: 2 - 3 Location: Options for remote or hybrid ...

New

ACLCA

Policy Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

The intern will work closely with all members of the policy/advocacy staff in ACLCA's efforts and will: * Assist staff by conducting legislative research, developing policy fact sheets, tracking ...

ACLCA

Policy Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

The intern will work closely with all members of the policy/advocacy staff in ACLCA's efforts and will: * Assist staff by conducting legislative research, developing policy fact sheets, tracking ...

FACT Coalition

Advocacy Intern

Washington, DC

$17 - $22.75/hr

... support legislative and executive solutions. FACT has fostered and maintains strong working ... The Advocacy Intern will also help facilitate many logistics for the Coalition-coordinating a lot ...

Osv_edf

Federal Affairs FEMA Reform Intern

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$18 - $20/hr

The intern will report to the Senior Legislative Analyst, Flood Resilience. Key Responsibilities Tasks will include but are not limited to: * Support members of the Federal Affairs team in their work ...

FACT Coalition

Advocacy Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

... support legislative and executive solutions. FACT has fostered and maintains strong working ... The Advocacy Intern will also help facilitate many logistics for the Coalition-coordinating a lot ...

J Street

Government Affairs Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

$19/hr

J Street Government Affairs Intern Reports to: Associate Director of Government Affairs Location ... Support the team with data management and legislative tracking * Assist Government Affairs team ...

Friends of the Earth

Food Policy Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

$19.50/hr

This position will introduce the intern to a wide range of colleagues in environmental, social justice and legislative arenas. The intern will work in government, corporate and non-profit circles and ...

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Legislative Intern information

See Washington salary details

$10

$22

$46

How much do legislative intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for legislative intern in Washington is $22.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.52 and $21.68 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 is a legislative intern?

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 Washington? The most popular types of Legislative jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Legislative Intern jobs in Washington? For Legislative Intern jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legislative Intern jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Legislative Intern jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Legislative Intern jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Legislative Intern job openings:
Legislative Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legislative Intern job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Internship, and 57% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,318 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

Federal Legislative Intern

New York Aquarium

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$17 - $22/hr

Internship

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Department:Public Affairs 
Title:Federal Legislative Intern 
Dates:September to December 2026, with flexible start and end dates to accommodate academic schedules
Number of Openings: 2 - 3 
Location:Options for remote or hybrid schedules 
Hours: 14-30 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate class schedules
Position Summary: 
The Federal Affairs office of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) seeks motivated, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented Federal Affairs interns. This internship is designed to provide experience in legislative and governmental affairs, policy, and the Congressional appropriations process. The intern will gain experience in shaping environmental policy to protect wildlife and natural resources on a global scale while learning about the legislative process first-hand. Possible topics for projects include nature-based solutions to climate change, combating wildlife trafficking, and federal funding for international conservation, ocean conservation, and endangered species conservation. This internship is unpaid but will provide academic credit if applicable. Interns will have the option of remote or hybrid schedules. 
WCS combines the power of its zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a Global Conservation Program in more than 50 countries to achieve its mission to save wildlife and wild places. WCS runs the world's largest conservation field program, protecting more than 50 percent of Earth's known biodiversity; in partnership with governments, Indigenous People, Local Communities, and the private sector. Its four zoos and aquarium (the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium) welcome more than 3.5 million visitors each year, inspiring generations to care for nature. WCS's Federal Affairs office is an interface between our conservation experts and policy decision-makers in Washington, D.C. 
Objectives: 

  • Help track developments in Congress and relevant Federal Agencies related to wildlife conservation, natural resources management, and foreign policy. 

  • Learn to identify potential Congressional allies and environmental policy priorities. 

  • Research and analyze legislation related to wildlife conservation, natural resources management, and foreign policy. 

  • Have the opportunity to attend virtual Capitol Hill related briefings, hearings, and events. 

  • Learn about and gain experience in developing and implementing Congressional engagement strategies, working in coalitions, and the federal budget and appropriations process. 

Apply