Summer Internship With Housing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $3,821.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Internship
Job Number: SRC-07242026
Department: Washington State Senate
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Policy Staff Summer Internship
Washington State Senate Republican Caucus
The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus (SRC) is seeking a policy staff summer intern. The internship will commence in the spring or summer of 2027, after adjournment of the 2027 regular legislative session, and will run for eight weeks. Scheduling flexibility may be required depending on the needs of the Senate.
The SRC is composed of 19 Washington state senators who serve together as a legislative caucus. The SRC is assisted by a staff of lawyers and analysts. The policy staff intern will work with SRC policy staff and will report to the SRC Leadership Counsel.
Duties
The SRC policy staff internship is designed to provide opportunities for an enthusiastic law student to work with legislative lawyers in a caucus environment. The SRC policy staff internship will include specific assignments relating to legal research and bill drafting. The intern will also work with legislative staff to assist senators with committee meetings, task forces and work groups, constituent case work, and other similar activities. The SRC intends for the intern to gain exposure to legislators, lobbyists, state agency officials, and a variety of other professionals who work in and around the state legislature.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The SRC is looking for a law student who is highly motivated to gain experience working on law and public policy matters in a legislative setting. SRC policy staff are "partisan staff," and the caucus may consider whether the prospective intern's approach to law and policy is an appropriate match. More information about the SRC can be found at
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
The internship can be conducted either in-person on the Capitol campus in Olympia or remotely. The intern will be responsible for his or her own housing and transportation needs.
Supplemental Information
SALARY
The SRC policy staff internship is not being offered for academic credit. The intern will be compensated at the rate of $3,821 per month. An intern will not receive additional employee benefits or paid time off.
TO APPLY: Please submit the following by August 15, 2026.

1. A letter of interest
2. Resume
3. Legal writing sample
4. Unofficial transcript

Email your application materials to Saundra.richartz@leg.wa.gov
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Senate Human Resource Office at
The Washington State Senate is an equal opportunity employerand does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, physical, sensory, or mental disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.
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 proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026