Government & Community Affairs Intern - Fall 2026

Overview

The Government & Community Affairs Internship offers students a unique opportunity to learn about the intersection of public policy, community affairs, and conservation within a leading global nonprofit organization. Interns will gain exposure to the Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS) Government & Community Affairs Department, which leads the organization's government relations, community engagement, public policy, and advocacy efforts across New York City, New York State, and the United States.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop an understanding of how government relations, public policy, advocacy, and community engagement support the mission of a global conservation organization.
• Strengthen professional communication, project management, organizational, and administrative skills through guided exposure to event coordination, meeting support, stakeholder communications, and database management.
• Gain hands-on learning experience with tools such as Salesforce and Microsoft Office Suite, while being introduced to best practices in data management, stakeholder engagement, and community programming.
• Build foundational research and analytical skills through mentored involvement in information gathering and departmental projects, while cultivating workplace professionalism, collaboration skills, and a broader awareness of career pathways in government affairs, community relations, public policy, and nonprofit conservation.

Qualification Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Current college or graduate student enrolled in a degree-granting program
• Must be eligible to work in the United States

Important Information About The Application

To be fully considered for this role, applicants must upload both a resume and cover letter.

Salary Range

Stipend: $880 paid as one lump sum upon successful completion of the position, less applicable taxes.