Internships
The office of Pennsylvania State Senator Tim Kearney is looking for motivated candidates seeking to build experience towards a career in public policy, government, or advocacy for 2022 Summer Policy Internships. Successful candidates can expect to work with a diverse and professional staff to address the constituent and policy priorities of Senator Kearney’s office, which include urgent and complex issues related to education, first responders, protecting our natural environment and resources, fighting climate change, and protecting all vulnerable people from the impacts of crime, poverty, and systemic discrimination aligned with the Senator’s platform.
The 2022 Summer Policy Interns will experience the inner workings of a legislative office, practice research and analysis skills, perform light administrative work and shadow Senate staff on the Policy and Legislative and Constituent Service teams in their field activities. A demonstrated interest in and commitment to public service and public policy are a must. The office welcomes diverse applicants with a variety of different family, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The policy internship is available from late May through August.
The intern’s duties may include: helping constituents solve problems with state government; drafting letters and other correspondence and communications; attending legislative and local meetings in the 26th Senate District; researching legislation, general administrative duties; and interacting with the general public, government professionals, and business leaders.
We are looking for interns to commit 10-20 hours per week. Our weekday office hours are 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. However, community events may be on weekday evenings or weekends.
About the Office:
The 26th Senate District in Pennsylvania includes parts of Delaware and Chester Counties in the southwestern Philadelphia suburbs. District offices are in Springfield and Upper Darby in Delaware County and the Senator’s legislative office is in Harrisburg. Senator Tim Kearney is a Democratic Senator in his first term, elected November of 2018. The urban and suburban district encompasses diverse communities with a variety of assets and needs.
The Pennsylvania Senate is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled college, community college or university student, with a preference for students majoring in the social sciences
- Recipient of a Pell Grant for the current school year (preferred)
- 3.0 grade point average or equivalent
- Organized and detail oriented, with an ability for in-depth reading
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office or Google Suite products, word processing and spreadsheets
- Ability to be productive while working independently or as a team
- Ability to be respectful and professional in diverse groups of people and new environments
Internship Responsibilities:
- Attend and support (could include taking notes/pictures) at local meetings and townhalls (both virtual and in-person)
- Assisting with our community events by aiding in brainstorming, outreach, and set-up (both virtual and in-person)
- Research and compile community resources and organizations that are useful to the community
- Research different policy issues and legislation as constituents raise concerns and ask questions
- Learn and support general administrative duties required as part of a state senate office.