Federal Relations Summer Intern

The University of Alaska Federal Relations Summer Internship offers an immersive, paid 10-week experience ($18.20/hr) in Washington, D.C., for UA system undergraduate students from any discipline who are eager to learn about federal policy, government relations, and public service. The program is designed to immerse the intern in the federal legislative process and advocacy. Successful candidates will gain direct exposure to Congressional operations, attend high-level policy meetings, and learn how to advocate for the University of Alaska’s future. Our office provides round-trip flights and fully paid housing in D.C. for the duration of the internship.

The Federal Relations Summer Intern will be fully integrated into the University of Alaska (UA) federal relations team, working directly from our Washington, D.C. office. Our mission is to proactively advocate for UA’s priorities by collaborating closely with the Alaska Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Committees, and various federal agencies.

Working here means being at the epicenter of federal policymaking that directly impacts the University of Alaska’s future, from research funding to student aid. This 10-week internship provides a hands-on introduction to government relations and the federal legislative process. The chosen applicant will gain a clear understanding of how the Federal Relations team operates and how our work benefits the entire UA system. We offer the flexibility to explore federal policy areas of particular interest to the chosen applicant, connecting their passion for the state legislature with real-world D.C. experience.

The intern will report to the Assistant Director of Federal Relations, who serves as the daily point of contact, providing hands-on mentorship, assigning projects, and ensuring the intern has rich exposure to the workings of Congress. All necessary instruction materials and housing arrangements will be finalized and provided well in advance of the intern's arrival in D.C.

The successful applicant will possess a keen interest in federal policy, demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills, be detail-oriented, be willing to undertake administrative or less glamorous tasks, and be capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a small, fast-paced team. This is a unique, immersive opportunity to be at the heart of D.C. advocacy.

Located centrally in The Hall of the States near Capitol Hill, the position operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST). The intern will gain essential exposure by attending Congressional hearings, policy briefings, and meetings relevant to UA priorities. This competitive role is a full-time paid position (at the D.C. minimum wage rate), with the significant benefit of covered Washington Intern Student Housing and round-trip flights to Washington, D.C.

Minimum Qualifications:

Current undergraduate students actively enrolled at one of the three universities within the University of Alaska system.

Interest in government relations or federal policy.

Application requires:
A cover letter tailored to this position.
A current resume/CV.
Two letters of recommendation.

Position Details:

This is a full-time, 10-week, non-exempt temporary position located in the UA Office of Government Relations, Federal Relations in Washington, D.C.

Hourly Rate: The rate will be an averaged rate of $18.20/hr, which ensures compliance with both the pre- and post-July 2026 D.C. minimum wage requirements.

Benefits: Washington Intern Student Housing and round-trip flight costs to Washington, D.C. will be provided.

Academic Credit: The chosen applicant is responsible for requesting course credit for this internship through their academic department. Should their program require an affiliate agreement or internship contract, the Assistant Director of Federal Relations will serve as the coordinator to finalize the necessary documentation.

✍Applications require a cover letter for this position, a current resume/CV, and two letters of recommendation.✍

⏰Application Deadline: The application opens online on Friday, January 9, 2026. Applications will be accepted for review on March 16, 2026. To ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on March 15, 2026.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Sarah Randazzo, Signers' Business Office HR Coordinator, at sjrandazzo@alaska.edu or (907)450-8245.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.