Law Student - Government in Portland, OR

Government

Portland, OR

Law Student - Government in Portland, OR

Law Student

No

Winter Internship at Senator Merkley’s Office - Gain Experience and Work with a Senate Office in Washington, ., Oregon, or Remotely

Senator Merkley’s office offers in-person, hybrid, and remote internships for college students and others looking to gain experience working with a Senate office. These internships are available in Washington, ., Oregon, or remotely. Individuals from all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The office is happy to work with colleges or institutions to allow students to earn academic credit during their internships. Full- and part-time internships are available.

Senator Merkley himself has firsthand experience with the lifelong impact of a Senate internship, having been the first in his family to go to college and having interned for former Senator Mark Hatfield in the 1970s. Interns located in DC, Oregon, and remotely work with the entire team, and staff invest in facilitating interns’ professional development.

The ideal intern is curious, adaptable, rooted in community service, and wants to support progressive policies. Candidates should demonstrate solid communication and interpersonal skills, strong attention to detail, an ability to multi-task and resiliency to thrive in a fast-paced work environment. Anyone who wants to learn more about issues facing their communities, state, and country, as well the political process is encouraged to apply. Experience or familiarity with policy and politics may be helpful, but is not necessary to have a productive internship experience.

FAQs:

To learn more about internships with Senator Merkley, visit our FAQs page.

How to Apply:

Please follow the link below to apply for an internship.

Internship Application

Senator Merkley’s Personal Experience:

“My own public service began at the age of 19, when I interned for Oregon Senator Mark O. Hatfield. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would return to the Senate 33 years later to represent Oregon in the same seat once held by Senator Hatfield. I hope I can offer students the same unique life-changing opportunities my internship gave me.”

—Senator Jeff Merkley

. If you have questions or concerns regarding the internship process or your application submission, please email ****.

Internships FAQ:

Home / Helping You / Students / Internships / Internships FAQ

How to Apply:

Please follow the link below to apply for an internship.

Internship Application

Deadline to apply: August 17, 2025.

If you have questions about interning in with Senator Merkley’s office please contact Hayes Ingraham, Correspondence Manager and Intern Supervisor, at ****.

What does an intern in Senator Merkley’s office do?

- Matched based on interest and experience with a legislative staff who work in specific policy areas
- Attend briefings, write memos, and draft constituent correspondence
- Assist with community outreach and constituent services
- Review incoming correspondence
- Provide administrative support to day-to-day operations

The office also offers communications internships, which provide the opportunity to work with members of a congressional communications team in all aspects of press and digital operations. Responsibilities of a communications intern include preparing news clippings, conducting research, updating online content, drafting press and digital materials, and performing a variety of administrative tasks. Please indicate in your application or during the interview process if communications interest you.

Do remote internships differ from an in-person or hybrid internship?

Not much. Remote interns are still expected to attend meetings, briefings, conduct research, and work with policy, operations, and correspondence teams. Remote interns work online and do not go into a physical office location, however there may be the opportunity for limited in-person work for fully remote interns, depending on location.

In-person internships may be fully in-person or hybrid – offering both remote and in-person capability and are dependent upon location, staffing needs, office capacity, and COVID-19 community levels.

Do I need a computer or other equipment to be able to intern?

All Senate work must be on Senate equipment, therefore each intern will be issued a laptop.

When do internships begin and end?

Internships are offered year-round. They are offered for summer, fall, and spring terms and normally match up to academic schedules; both quarter and semester schedules can be accommodated. The fall term typically begins in late August/early September; the winter/spring term begins in January; and the summer term begins in late May/early June, with specific start and end dates flexible. Only full-time internships are offered during the summer in .

Will I need to, or be able to go into the office?

For 100% remote internships, interns do not need to be Washington, DC or near one of Senator Merkley’s offices in Oregon. Interns should not plan on coming into the office. For those seeking a hybrid opportunity, you will need to be near one of the office locations.

All Senate work must be on Senate equipment, therefore each intern will be issued a laptop.

What time zone or hours are required?

The office takes remote interns from any time zone, though working primarily during regular business hours (M-F 9-5) is needed. There will be interns from several time zones working with the office.

Is the internship paid?

A limited number of scholarship positions are available to full- or part-time remote interns. The scholarships are designed to provide financial support for Oregonians who would not otherwise be able to afford the opportunity to intern in the Senator’s office. For more information on the scholarship program, click here.

Who is eligible for an internship?

Any individual with an interest in government and the political process as a whole is welcome to apply. Preference is given to those with Oregon residency or