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Last Updated: May. 2, 2025

Research and Policy Intern - County Council (Deleted)

Tacoma Community College

Category: Business, Management and Administration

Type: Internship

Location: In-Person in Tacoma

Application Deadline: Feb. 16, 2025

Starts: Jun. 2, 2025

Available Positions: 1

Salary Range: $21.00 - $21.00

Hours Per Week: 10 - 40

$ Paid
 Full Time
 Part Time

Available Days of the Week

  • Monday - Preferred
  • Tuesday - Preferred
  • Wednesday - Preferred
  • Thursday - Preferred
  • Friday - Preferred
  • Saturday - Flexible
  • Sunday - Flexible

Description

Intern must be local to attend in-person cohort meetings,  activities,  and any work-related tasks. 
The program runs 6/2/2025 –  8/22/2025,  but there is some flexibility with the start and end dates.

 

Position Summary

 

Why It’s a Great Opportunity:  

The Pierce County Summer internship program is back!  Our program will run from 6/2/2025 through 8/22/2025. We are excited to offer opportunities that provide realistic and meaningful work experiences while providing Pierce County Departments,  the Council,  the Executive’s Office and Courts with interns who bring fresh perspectives and assistance to complete special projects.  Interns also get an opportunity to be a part of a cohort of interns who will attend weekly activities together.  These sessions include professional development classes,  collaboration with other interns,  and tours of various departments and facilities where you will learn about the County and the types of great job opportunities we offer.  As a cohort,  you will be responsible for a culminating group project/presentation to the Pierce County Council.  

 

Check out what our interns have done in the past! 


This

 

is a great opportunity for you to make meaningful contributions in

public policy in service to the residents of Pierce County.  You will gain

direct experience with the legislative branch of county government and become

more familiar with the process that is used to develop and enact legislation at

the local government level.  Each year,  the Council reviews and acts on hundreds

of ordinances and resolutions,  providing oversight and direction on a wide

range of issues that impact the County.

Responsibilities

About the Department:  
The Pierce County Council is the legislative branch of

Pierce County government and is the policy-determining body of the County,  as

provided by the County Charter.  The County’s Home-Rule

Charter,  approved by voters in November 1980,

separated executive and legislative duties by establishing a County Executive

and a seven-member County Council.  The seven members that comprise

the Pierce County Council represent 925,708 residents in Pierce County –

the second-most populous county in Washington state.  This position is

non-partisan and serves the Pierce County Council as a body,  reporting to the

Chief of Staff. 

Learn more about the Pierce County Council here. And the Legislative Brach here.

How to be Successful in the Role:
We are looking for someone who has a desire to make meaningful contributions in public policy,  in service to the residents of Pierce County.  You should to have an educational or volunteer background in public policy,  political science,  public administration,  or other disciplines which are the frequent subject of public policy discussions.  You should be interested in public service,  have research experience,  be a team player and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.  A quick learner who is flexible and adapts easily to change will be a successful in this internship.

Core Daily Responsibilities:
You will be collecting and summarizing the best available science on studies that quantify ecological benefits.  This effort aims to help the public better understand the return on investment from environmental regulations and initiatives.   Tasks may include:   

  • Support policy and legal staff in the Office of the County Council

     

     

  • Policy research and preparation of associated materials.
  • A special project in a specific policy area may be assigned with a report or other deliverable expected at the conclusion of the internship.
  • You may also work directly with elected officials in policy development under the supervision of a senior policy staff member.

 

 

Qualifications

 

Requirements: 

  • Must be local 6/2/2025 –  8/22/2025 to attend in-person cohort meetings,  activities,  and any work-related tasks

  • Must be at least 18 years old

  • Willingness to learn and grow

  • Submit a resume and cover letter with your application

 

As a condition of employment,  the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check.  Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Qualifications

Supplemental Information

 

To be considered for this opportunity please:

•  Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY”  above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.

•  Submit a current resume and cover letter with your application.

•  If selected for an interview,  interviews will be held virtually via MS Teams or Zoom.

•  If you have a question about this opportunity,  please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov  and specify the Job Number and Title.

•  If you do not have internet access,  you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.

•  If you need accommodation in the application and testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253)  798-7480,  at least two days before the need.

  

This is a competitive selection process.  Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed.  Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration.  Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date.  Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments,  phone screening,  and interviews.

At Pierce County,  diversity,  equity,  and inclusion means commitment,  not a single step.  We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career.  We want to recruit,  develop,  and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds,  cultures,  lifestyles,  and perspectives,  committed to our vision.     Employees of the County have local,  direct,  and visible impact in our diverse community.  Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?

 

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.