Fall 2026/Spring 2027 - Government & External Affairs Intern

About this job

Your success is a train ride away! As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees. Are you ready to join our team? Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future. Position Summary Amtrak typically serves more than 30 million people a year in over 500 cities across the country. The Government Affairs intern is responsible for learning and supporting the department in its corporate legislative strategy with key stakeholders in Congress and appropriate federal departments. This strategy underpins the federal government’s investment in passenger rail for decades to come. Our team works hard to ensure that Congress is well informed about the best decisions they can make to ensure intercity passenger rail is even more relevant to our customers in the years to come. Essential Functions Punctuality in terms of meeting previously agreed schedules for being in the office or for other events and timely notice of absences or changes to schedules. Attending Capitol Hill meetings, or meetings with outside groups, with a member of department staff. Attending public hearings, alone or with a member of staff, as the situation warrants. Research projects, data entry/analysis/visualization, recording keeping of key data that could include: votes, demographics, election cycles and transportation trends. Document organization, either for permanent files and/or for meetings, events or hearing preparation. Strong writing skills to support congressional correspondence, memos and testimony. Assistance with special events, such as large travel groups, student tours, or dignitary travel. Other activities as they arise. Business attrie required. Minimum Qualifications Must be actively pursuing a degree at an accredited educational institution. Must be actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field. Must have at least 2 years of academic undergraduate studies completed or a junior status at minimum. Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. Able to function in a collaborative work environment and communicating orally and in writing within the corporation and externally. Demonstrates a set of core values that includes humility, mission, courage, justice prudence and self-control. Preferred Qualifications An understanding of the legislative floor and Committee procedures as well as the workings of Capitol Hill. An understanding of authorization and appropriation legislative processes. Basic understanding of transportation industry. Cover letter and short 1–2-page writing sample is strongly recommended. PAY TRANSPARENCY: The hourly range is $18.00 per hour - $35.00 per hour. Pay is based on factors including school year, program of study, etc. In addition, paid internships include Amtrak rail pass privileges as a part of the experience along with one (1) PTO day per academic year. Requisition ID:167130 Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak. Relocation Offered:No Travel Requirements:Up to 50% You power our progress through your performance. We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law. In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions. In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.