Job Description

Government Affairs Intern – Spring 2027

Department/Division: Government Affairs
Reports To: Director of Government Affairs or designated supervisor
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Employment Status: Seasonal Internship

Location

Position Location: Washington, D.C.

Work Arrangement: In-person

Reporting Office: Ducks Unlimited Government Affairs Office, Washington, DC

Internship Term: Spring 2027 (Beginning January 2027)

Position Summary

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's wetlands and waterfowl habitat, is seeking a motivated college student or recent college graduate for its Spring 2027 Government Affairs Internship in Washington, D.C.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in conservation policy, federal legislative affairs, advocacy, and nonprofit government relations. The selected intern will assist Ducks Unlimited's Government Affairs team in advancing the organization's public policy priorities through legislative tracking, policy research, coalition engagement, event coordination, stakeholder communications, and administrative support.

The intern will play a meaningful role in supporting Ducks Unlimited's governmental affairs efforts and helping advance conservation policies that contribute directly to the organization's habitat mission. This position is ideal for individuals interested in public policy, natural resources, conservation advocacy, agriculture, wildlife management, or government affairs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Government Affairs & Policy Support

• Monitor and track federal legislation, regulatory actions, and policy developments relevant to Ducks Unlimited's priorities.
• Conduct policy research and prepare background materials, summaries, and briefing documents.
• Assist with scheduling meetings with Congressional offices, federal agencies, and partner organizations.
• Attend Congressional hearings, briefings, policy forums, and stakeholder meetings as assigned.
• Represent Ducks Unlimited at coalition meetings, partner engagement events, and policy discussions when appropriate.
• Support lobbying and advocacy efforts by gathering, organizing, and tracking policy-related information.

Event Planning & Coordination

• Assist with planning and execution of Ducks Unlimited events in Washington, D.C.
• Coordinate logistics for advocacy fly-ins, Capitol Hill events, fundraising functions, receptions, and stakeholder meetings.
• Support event communications, scheduling, materials preparation, and post-event follow-up activities.
• Assist in preparing briefing materials and informational packets for participants and volunteers.

Communications & Administrative Support

• Assist with the preparation of internal and external communications, including press releases, newsletters, talking points, and policy updates.
• Provide administrative support for Government Affairs office operations.
• Coordinate meeting logistics and assist with preparation of meeting materials and presentations.
• Support maintenance of policy tracking systems and organizational records.
• Assist with general office administration and special projects as assigned.

Volunteer & Committee Support

• Provide staff support to Ducks Unlimited's volunteer Public Policy Committee.
• Assist with committee communications, meeting preparation, documentation, and follow-up.
• Support volunteer engagement efforts related to conservation policy and advocacy initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Education

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, or a related field; or
• Recent college graduate with a bachelor's degree in one of the above disciplines or a closely related field.

Experience

• Demonstrated academic or professional interest in public policy, government affairs, natural resources, conservation, agriculture, or related fields.
• Experience through coursework, internships, volunteer work, student organizations, or other relevant activities preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Congressional procedures, federal agencies, and the legislative process.
• Knowledge of conservation, wildlife, water resources, wetlands, agriculture, and outdoor recreation policy issues.
• Experience conducting research and compiling information from multiple sources.
• Experience supporting events, meetings, or advocacy activities.
• Interest in nonprofit organizations and conservation policy.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Professional demeanor and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn and adapt within a fast-paced policy environment.
• Interest in Ducks Unlimited's conservation mission and public policy priorities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a professional office environment.
• Ability to attend meetings, hearings, receptions, and events throughout Washington, D.C.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer systems.
• Ability to occasionally lift and transport meeting materials and event supplies.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Travel Requirements

Estimated Travel: Minimal

Type of Travel: Local travel within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for meetings, hearings, and events.

Compensation

Compensation details will be provided during the interview process.

Benefits

This is a Seasonal Internship position and is not eligible for employee benefits or participation in the 401(k) plan.

Miscellaneous Information

Internship Term: Spring 2027

Expected Start Date: January 2027

Location: Washington, D.C.

Position Type: Seasonal Internship

To Apply

Please submit the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest in the internship and qualifications for the position

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 
It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information, except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.