Office of the Secretary Internship Program - Spring 2027

About this role

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of the Secretary Internship Program is accepting applications for Spring 2027 internships, running February 1 to May 7, 2027. Interns work alongside the leadership team that oversees America's public lands, national parks, and natural resources, gaining first-hand experience of federal policymaking. Applications close November 22, 2026, so students should apply early. It is an ideal placement for students interested in public service, environmental policy, or government administration.

Posted on November 04, 2026, this opening appears in our Internships listings. The role is based on site in Washington, DC, so it suits candidates within commuting distance. The sections below summarise the role in our own words: what you would be doing, what the employer expects, what is offered in return, and exactly how to apply.

Job snapshot

What you will do day to day

Based on the employer's posting, a typical week in this position at U.S. Department of the Interior would centre on the following duties:

• Support the Office of the Secretary's daily operations
• Research policy and briefing topics
• Help prepare memos, reports, and correspondence
• Attend meetings and track follow-up actions
• Assist with projects across Interior's offices

What you will need

• Current enrollment as a student in an eligible program
• Interest in public service or natural resource policy
• Strong writing and research skills
• Ability to work on site in Washington, DC
• Eligibility for a federal internship appointment

This opportunity suits a current student or recent graduate who wants supervised, hands-on experience and a reference point for their first full application.

Pay and benefits

U.S. Department of the Interior has not published a fixed salary range in this listing, which is common for roles where pay is set by experience, grade, or location. Check the source listing for the current pay details, and compare the benefits below when judging the overall package.

Benefits listed by the employer

• Internship inside a Cabinet-level federal department
• Spring 2027 term from February 1 to May 7
• Direct exposure to federal leadership and policymaking
• Experience relevant to public-service careers
• A respected credential for future government roles

How to apply

1. Read the requirements above carefully and check you meet the essentials — US employers screen against them closely.
2. Update your résumé so the skills named in this listing are easy to find, using the same wording where it honestly matches your experience.
3. Click the Apply button on this page. It takes you to the source listing (USAJOBS), where the original posting is linked — always confirm the role, pay and deadline there before applying.
4. Complete every field of the application on the source listing and double-check your contact details before submitting.
5. Keep a note of the posting date and job title so you can follow up politely if you have not heard back within two weeks.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Apply months ahead for summer programs — many close in the preceding autumn.
• Tailor your résumé to the posting and include relevant coursework and projects.
• Ask about conversion to a full-time role — good programs hire from their intern pool.
• Prepare two or three questions about the team to ask at interview.

Frequently asked questions

Need help applying? Read our guide: Entry-Level Job Search Guide: Landing Your First Job — written for internships applicants in the USA.

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