Internships
My office is always accepting resumes from college students interested in interning for academic credit. By assisting the Congressman’s district staff, interns have the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about how a Congressional office provides constituent services and interacts with the community. Interns in the Washington, D.C. office will have an opportunity to learn about the legislative process and the federal government by working closely with legislative, communications and constituent services staff members. All internships are unpaid and candidates who are chosen for the Washington, D.C. office may be responsible for paying their travel and living expenses. Interns in any office can arrange to receive academic credit for their work.
Current Openings for Washington, D.C. Office
The Office of Rep. Adam Smith is currently welcoming applications for the Spring of 2015 internship session in Washington, D.C. (January-May 2015). The Washington, D.C. office is currently seeking part-time unpaid interns.
Qualifications and Job Responsibilities:
Candidates should have an interest in the legislative process, possess excellent writing and communication skills, and have an understanding of the American political system. Pacific Northwest ties are a plus!
Legislative interns will be responsible for projects such as writing correspondence, providing support for daily legislative tasks, fielding constituent phone calls and other requests. Other duties include leading Capitol building tours and providing staff with general office support. During their term, interns will also have the opportunity to attend briefings and committee hearings of personal interest and complete individual and team goals.
Current students will be given preference, but recent graduates are also welcome to apply. Interns may earn college credit, depending on the requirements of the institution. Strong preference will be given to applicants from the Puget Sound region.
Internships can be part-time or full-time. Job duties include researching and writing congressional correspondence, answering phones and greeting visitors, aiding constituents in finding information, and providing other office support services.
Interested students should send a resume, writing sample stating why you are interested in the internship, and two letters of recommendation to:
Madison Strader
Office of Congressman Adam Smith
2264 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Download our Washington, D.C. Intern application
Renton, Washington District Office:
The District Office is currently seeking full-time and part-time unpaid interns for the Spring of 2015 (January-May).
Qualifications and Job Responsibilities:
Candidates should have an interest in the legislative process and civic service, possess excellent writing and communication skills, and work well as part of a team.
Interns in the District Office have an opportunity to work in community outreach, constituent services and drafting policy and issue updates. This includes working with caseworkers to help constituents with issues relating to immigration, military and government agencies, among others. Depending on interests, interns also have an opportunity to participate in community outreach, attending meetings and events with outreach staff and Congressman Smith and assisting with town hall meetings.
Other intern duties are administrative: assisting staff with answering phones, data entry, scanning/copying and other tasks as needed. The position requires approximately 20 (part-time) or 40 (full-time) scheduled hours per week during posted business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm).
Application Deadlines for the internship position:
(Sessions are flexible and can be moved, winter and spring sessions can be combined)
- Summer (May - August 2014): Deadline April 8, 2014
- Winter/Spring (January-April): Deadline December 1, 2014
- Fall (September-December): Deadline August 1, 2014
Applications received after these dates will be accepted but will not be guaranteed consideration.
Applicants for both the full-time and part-time internship program in the Renton office must submit an application packet including a letter of interest, resume and two letters of recommendation to the following address:
Debra Entenman
Office of Congressman Adam Smith
The Evergreen Building
15 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Office: 425- 793-5180