Climate Justice Internship in Senator Merkley’s Offices, Scholarship Available
The Internship
Senator Merkley is excited to be hiring a climate justice intern to join his Washington, D.C. or Portland Offices. The intern will learn the legislative process as part of the Senator’s Climate and Energy team. Intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to: researching legislative issues, attending hearings and preparing memos for the Senator as well as answering phones, processing mail and other administrative duties. Priority will be given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to climate justice activism.
The office of Senator Merkley is an equal opportunity employer, committed to developing an organization that is reflective of and sensitive to the needs of the diverse community we serve. The office does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or uniformed service. Members of all communities are encouraged to apply.
The successful intern will be eligible for the highly selective We the People Scholarship that enables current and recent students to gain experience in Senator Merkley’s Congressional Office. The scholarship is available for those who could not otherwise afford the educational opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C., or Portland.
The ‘We the People’ Congressional Intern Scholarship Details (Note: Applicants may apply for an internship without applying for scholarship.)
Scholarships are available for full-time or part-time internships in D.C., or a part-time internship in Portland. Scholarship positions last between 10 and 14 weeks during the fall, winter/spring, and summer terms.
Full-time D.C. scholarship interns receive approximately $6,000 pre-tax for a full-time (40 hours/week) commitment lasting a minimum of 10 weeks. Part-time D.C. scholarship interns receive roughly $3,750 pre-tax for a part-time (minimum 25 hours/week) internship lasting a minimum of 10 weeks. There may be a travel subsidy for those relocating to Washington, D.C. Portland scholarship recipients receive around $2,250 pre-tax for a part-time (15 hours/week) commitment lasting a minimum of 10 weeks. If selected for a paid internship, a successful applicant must meet one of the citizenship and/or residency requirements set forth in Pub. L. 115-141 § 704 (2018).
This scholarship is open to individuals seeking financial support who otherwise would not be able to afford the opportunity to intern part or full time in the Washington, DC or Portland office. We the People scholarship recipients will be a part of the traditional intern cohort and receive the same internship experience as non-scholarship positions.
Applying for Internship
To apply for the internship, candidates should send a resume, and cover letter with the subject line “Climate Justice Internship Application” to DC_Internship@merkley.senate.gov<mailto:DC_Internship@merkley.senate.gov>. If applying for the We The People Scholarship please also include answers to the questions below.
Deadline to apply:
Summer term: April 5
If you have questions about interning in Washington, D.C., please contact Hayes Ingraham, Senator Merkley’s Correspondence Manager and Intern Supervisor, at DC_Internship@merkley.senate.gov<mailto:DC_Internship@merkley.senate.gov>. To ask questions about interning in Oregon, please contact Senator Merkley’s State Operations Director at scott_maguire@merkley.senate.gov<mailto:scott_maguire@merkley.senate.gov>.
Essay Questions for the We the Pople Scholarship. If applying for the We The People Scholarship please also send answers to the questions below.
Essay #1 (In 600 words or fewer): What life experiences have shaped who you are today, and what challenges have you overcome in achieving your education and goals? Please explain why you seek a paid internship in Senator Merkley’s office, and how it would better help you meet your education and your professional goals.
Essay #2 (500 words or less)
What does climate justice mean to you, why are you passionate about it and, in your words, describe why it is important. From your perspective, what ways do you think this issue could be further addressed? What should be done?