About the role
Constituent Services internships take place in Washington state and provide a firsthand look at the constituent service process and the inside operations of a United States Senate office. A large part of this experience is assisting with casework, which is the process and tools Senator Murray’s office uses to help resolve issues people in Washington state have with federal agencies – for example getting a social security check or accessing VA services. Casework can sometimes show immediate results for the constituents and their families, and is a great way to connect to the community. This work often entails letter writing, research, constituent engagement, and acting as a liaison with government agencies.
Responsibilities include written and oral communication with constituents and government agencies, research, general administrative duties, and attending outreach meetings.
Application
The links below will take applicants to an online portal to fill out and submit an application. In addition to the online application, the following supporting materials are required:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Three References
- Writing Sample: Washington state applicants can choose between a general writing sample (500 words) or the below prompt.
- Constituent Services prompt: Pick an issue that you are passionate about and explain how it relates to the work of Senator Murray. (500 words max)
Qualifications and Program Details
Students with strong ties to the state of Washington will be given preference in the application process. Interns should be interested in government and have excellent writing and research skills, a positive attitude, and a willingness to complete tasks as assigned. Legislative and Constituent Service interns must be willing to work at a variety of activities, and have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
In order to best accommodate all applicants, internship sessions are scheduled both on academic quarters and semesters (i.e., an intern could work either a semester or quarter internship, based on their academic institution’s credit system). Internships are available for school credit if approved by a college or university. In our state offices, internships are available primarily on a part-time basis (20 hours/week).
Contact Information
For questions and more information about internships in Washington state, please contact:
Laura Benbow, State Intern Coordinator Office of Senator Patty Murray 915 Second Avenue, Suite 2988 Seattle, Washington 98174 (206) 553-5545 Fax: (206) 553-0891 e-mail: interncoordinator@murray.senate.gov
Late applications may be considered if positions have not yet been filled, but must be submitted with all supporting documents to interncoordinator@murray.senate.gov if applying to a Washington state office.