How to hire a policy internship

How to hire a policy internship, step by step

Here's a step-by-step policy internship hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a policy internship job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new policy internship
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your policy internship job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a policy internship for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A policy internship's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, policy interns from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents policy internship salaries for various positions.

   Type of Policy Internship	Description	Hourly rate
   Policy Internship	Public relations specialists create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They design media releases to shape public perception of their organization and to increase awareness of its work and goals.	$16-56
   Media Consultant	A media consultant is responsible for coordinating with different people and groups to boost brand awareness and promote the brand image to the public through media communication. Media consultants work closely with the marketing or public relations team to conduct press releases, develop media campaigns, and advise executives with their speech during interviews and other related public appearances... Show more	$15-42
   Account Coordinator	An account coordinator assists account executives by providing day-to-day administrative support such as preparing and filing sales contracts and reports. As coordinators, they must maintain a good relationship with their clients and vendors by addressing issues and with regular communication... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Policy Research
   • Public Policy
   • Policy Issues
   • Climate
   • PowerPoint
   • Data Collection
   • Policy Intern
   • Policy Analysis
   • Policy Briefs
   • Data Analysis
   • Congressional Hearings
   • Fact Sheets
   • Administrative Tasks
   • Stata

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all issues relate to high quality survey administration including training and approval/certification, performance oversight and data collection.
   • Create PowerPoint presentation and deliver HIV/AIDS message to high school students and other parallel groups.
   • Produce clear and concise briefing material for senior management including information notes and PowerPoint presentations.
   • Provide technical analyses concerning Medicaid wavier contracts, including policy, management, fiscal and client eligibility requirements.
   • Research policy areas including education, business regulation, and business climate in order to develop new inform initiatives.
   • Conduct analysis of international climate change implications and participate in the selection of tools for government agencies to monitor climate change.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your policy internship job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A policy internship can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, policy interns' average salary in mississippi is 46% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level policy interns 70% less than senior-level policy interns.
   • Certifications. A policy internship with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a policy internship's salary.

   Average policy internship salary

   $64,641yearly

   $31.08 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level policy internship salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a policy internship job description

   A policy internship job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a policy internship job description:

   Policy internship job description example

   Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the national umbrella organization for the nation's leading network of women's health care providers, educators, and advocates, serving women, men, teens and families. Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) is the advocacy and political arm of PPFA. For over 100 years, Planned Parenthood has done more than any other organization in the United States to improve women's health and safety, prevent unintended pregnancies, and advance the right and ability of individuals and families to make informed and responsible health care decisions.
   
   SUMMER POLICY INTERNSHIP AT PUBLIC POLICY, LITIGATION & LAW DEPARTMENT OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA
   
   Practice Areas: Constitutional Law, State Legislative Policy, State Statutory and Regulatory Law, Non-Profit, Reproductive Rights
   Number of Lawyers: 10-20
   
   The Public Policy, Litigation and Law Department of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) seeks a rising 2L or3L law student to serve as a policy intern for its New York or Washington, D.C. office for the summer of 2023. This internship is a full-time position. PPFA is open to candidates who wish to split their summer with another internship or a summer associate position.
   
   The State Policy team in PPFA's Public Policy, Litigation and Law Department provides strategic legal advice to affiliates about their proactive and defensive legislative and administrative goals, and provides analysis and support on state legislation related to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including but not limited to access to abortion and contraception, sexual and reproductive health education, gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, and Medicaid coverage. We assist affiliates in their efforts to defeat or repeal laws and policies that restrict Planned Parenthoodpatients' access to comprehensive reproductive health services and in their efforts to enact laws and policies that expand access to such services. Our team also provides analysis and legal advice on regulatory issues at the state and local levels.
   
   Interns can expect to work closely with PPFA attorneys on a wide variety of policy-related responsibilities, including conducting legal research and analysis; drafting memoranda, talking points, and informational backgrounders. Interns will be invited to participate in conversations with affiliates and coalition partners throughout the summer.
   
   The internship is open to rising second- and third-year law students. Successful applicants will have enthusiasm, excellent research and writing skills, and an interest in reproductive justice, health law, racial and economic justice, and/or public interest law more generally. Applicants are encouraged to seek outside funding for the internship. However, if you are not able to secure funding, please advise us as PPFA may be able to provide funding.
   
   Interested applicants should submit a cover letter explaining their interest in the internship, a resume, a writing sample, and an unofficial/official transcript. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
   We value a truly diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We're committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.
   
   PPFA participates in the E-Verify program and is an Equal Opportunity Employer
   
   *LI-KM1
   *PDN-HR

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find policy interns for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any policy interns they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level policy interns with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your policy internship job on Zippia to find and attract quality policy internship candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as pr news job board, pr council, prsa job center, hoojobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting policy interns requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new policy internship

   Once you've decided on a perfect policy internship candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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