Legislative Affairs and Policy Internship

Initial Posting Date:

09/15/2026

Application Deadline:

09/25/2026

Agency:

Department of State Lands

Salary Range:

$3,513 - $3,513

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Legislative Affairs and Policy Internship

Job Description:

Are you studying government, public policy, law, natural resources, environmental issues, or public administration and interested in learning more about the legislative process? Apply to be our next Legislative Affairs and Policy Intern by September 25th, 2026! This part-time internship is eligible for a hybrid remote schedule and is expected to be in our Salem office occasionally for scheduled meetings and events. The hours are flexible to accommodate school schedules and can range from 15 to 38 hours per week, to be discussed with the hiring manager. Candidates with academic backgrounds in political science, public policy, law, English, communications, environmental science, biology, natural resource management, engineering, planning, or related fields are encouraged to apply. 
 

Make a Difference for Oregon. The Department of State Lands manages the lands that help fund our public schools and protects the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. Our stewardship ensures vital natural and financial resources contribute to a vibrant, healthy Oregon now and forever. The DSL team makes a difference for Oregonians every day. As our Legislative Affairs and Policy Intern, you will too. 

The primary purpose of this position is to provide research, tracking, and administrative support for the Department's policy and legislative activities. The successful candidate will assist with monitoring policy developments, organizing information, preparing materials, and supporting projects related to state and federal legislative and regulatory issues affecting DSL. This position provides support to the Government Relations managers on issues concerning the Department’s authorities, responsibilities, and resources as directed by the Director and the State Land Board. 

This position is not represented by a union or include benefits and is expected to last through June 30th, 2027.  

We invite you to join us for an informational session to learn more about this opportunity: 

When: Monday, September 21st, 2026 

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (PST)  

Format: Virtual session via Microsoft Teams (link below)  

Purpose: This session is designed for individuals interested in learning more about DSL, the Legislative Affairs and Policy Internship, and to meet our recruitment team. 

Please note that this session is not part of the interview process and is open to the public.  

To join the session via your computer, mobile app, or room device, simply click this link: 

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/258440016065534?p=WhPlPZWFyB7kVaOIrk  

Meeting ID: 258 440 016 065 534  

Passcode: W4rN9Da2  

We look forward to having you join us and to providing valuable information about this exciting opportunity. Thank you for your interest! 

What’s in it for you? 

• Learn about the legislative process and policy development in the state’s oldest natural resource agency! 

• Receive 1-on-1 mentoring and support from natural resource experts. 

• Join an organization with collaborative and engaged co-workers who care about Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities, and their co-workers. 

• Automatically enroll into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) after 6 months of full-time service or after working the equivalent number of hours. 

• Accrue up to 8 hours of sick leave per month, prorated based on weekly hours.

• Earn $20.26 per hour for employees new to public service; current PERS employees earn $21.57 per hour.  

Working Conditions: 

Much of the work is in a hybrid office setting; occasional travel may be required. DSL provides agency-maintained vehicles, reimbursement for field gear, and travel expenses for authorized, on-the-job travel. 

What you will be doing: 

As our Legislative Affairs and Policy Intern, you will have the opportunity to: 

• Gain exposure to state and federal legislative processes. 

• Learn how public agencies monitor and respond to policy developments. 

• Develop skills in policy research, legislative tracking, government relations, professional writing, and public-sector administration. 

• Conduct background research on legislative, regulatory, and public policy topics relevant to the Department. 

• Monitor and track state and federal legislation, agency actions, and policy developments. 

• Review State legislative policy committee agendas, hearings, and meeting materials to identify topics of potential interest to the Department. 

• Assist in maintaining calendars of legislative deadlines, hearings, and policy-related events. 

• Gather publicly available information related to legislative and regulatory activities. 

• Assist with preparing presentations, handouts, briefing packets, and meeting materials. 

Minimum Qualifications: Must be a current student who has a bachelor’s degree and is currently enrolled at least half-time in a graduate degree program. 

Candidates with academic backgrounds in political science, public policy, law, English, communications, environmental science, biology, natural resource management, engineering, planning, or related fields are encouraged to apply. 

Desired Attributes- tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials: 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills to interact with a variety of internal and external partners 

• Strong research, data entry, and organizational skills 

• Ability and motivation to learn about legislative processes, public agencies and policy development 

• Mastered knowledge of proper punctuation, spelling, and capitalization, with exceptional attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to consistently proofread and produce polished, error-free work 

• Ability to perform assigned tasks quickly and accurately from oral and 
  written instructions 

• Ability to operate office equipment such as dictation equipment, computer 
  terminal, word processor, calculator, and photocopier 

• Microsoft 365 experience, including skills in Excel to create Gantt charts, pivot tables, and project management tools 

Please be sure to attach a resume and a cover letter of two (2) pages or less describing the above desired attributes you bring to this position.  

How to apply:  

• Complete the following required steps: 

• Fill out the application or attach a resume. Please contact the recruiter if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer, and any relevant volunteer and/or internship experience. 

• Attach a cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that you have under the “Desired Attributes” section above. 

• Your cover letter must be limited to Alexa Piscanio, Government Relations and Policy Analyst. 

• Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the “Desired Attributes” section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities. 

• You must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/Cover Letter’ section of the application. 

• Please answer the following questions in your cover letter: 

• Why are you interested in this position? 

• What academic or graduate-level experience have you had that relates to the desired attributes for this position that you would like to share? 

• Complete questionnaire. Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application. If you are applying as an existing state employee for the Job Rotation option, please upload permission from your current supervisor. 

• Respond to requests. After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox. 

• Upload your documents to receive preference. If you are a veteran or current or former Oregon National Guard servicemembers, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments. 

The Oregon Department of State Lands is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse working environment. The Department hires staff interested in supporting environmental justice by including communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes. We encourage members of these communities to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the desired attributes. The Oregon Department of State Lands understands that an authentic focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace will in turn create a workforce aligned to meet the challenge of serving all Oregonians. 

Additional Information: 

• First time applying to the State of Oregon? Consider utilizing a WorkSource Oregon Resource event! You can also view this video or this knowledge article for assistance. 

• This recruitment may be used to fill future positions.  

• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. 

• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact [email protected] and please be sure to include the job requisition number.   

• For more information about applying for positions with the State of Oregon via Workday, you may visit the Oregon job opportunities website at: www.oregon.gov/jobs  

• The state of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process. 

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference.  

• For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. 

• After you apply, you may be asked to provide additional optional information. Please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your “My Applications” section. Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. 

• As an employer, DSL complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here. 

• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States.  

• For questions about the job duties or application process, please contact [email protected] to connect with our recruitment team.