Leadership and Program Delivery Intern

Final date to receive applications is October 19. Thisis a DC-based hybrid position. Interns must reside and have a permanent address in the Washington Metropolitan Region for the duration of their internship. For Spring 2027, the Partnership will prioritize hiring interns from the following schools:

• Florida International University
• George Mason University
• Ohio State University – John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP)
• Syracuse University – Maxwell School of Public Affairs
• Trinity Washington University
• University of California schools – UCDC Washington Center Program
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Texas at Austin – LBJ School of Public Affairs

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Central to this mission is our work to connect the government with those it serves by protecting it from harm and reimagining the way it works on behalf of the public.

Building on our over 20 years of experience, we:

• Prepare civil servants to navigate an increasingly complex government environment
• Educate and engage the public about the value of government and how eroding its capacity hurts communities nationwide
• Collaborate with a range of stakeholders to advance bold reforms that seek to make our government institutions more effective, responsive and accountable to the American people
• Equip and advise government leaders at the federal, state and local levels to develop critical skills for effective public service.

Our staff, diverse in experience and perspective, is mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive. Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:

• Passion for public service and our work toward more effective government
• People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect
• Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results
• Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

The Public Service Leadership Institute (PSLI) hosts and delivers programs, convenings and training sessions that aim to develop strong government leaders, engage employees, encourage innovation and build participants’ government networks. PSLI is looking for interns to help support our leadership development and business development. Interns are assigned to one primary focus area, with limited exposure to other team activities.

PSLI interns have the unique opportunity to develop leadership and project management skills by assisting in the delivery of programs for government employees. They will also have the opportunity to learn from senior government leaders as they discuss the implementation of policy changes, including efforts to enhance government efficiency, the use of artificial intelligence, and other initiatives.

Additional responsibilities may include researching leadership and innovation topics; assisting with event agendas, timelines and speaker preparation; drafting event recaps and social media content; supporting the rollout of eLearning courses through the organization’s LMS platform; and contributing to marketing and outreach efforts, including Linked In. Interns may also gain exposure to business development activities that support PSLI and related leadership programs.

Through this internship, participants develop skills in project management, event planning, research, communication, customer service and professional conduct. At the end of their term, interns will walk away with a greater…