Unpaid Internship Opportunity with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Please let me know if you plan to apply.
Michael Paris, Michael.Paris@csi.cuny.edu

Applications are currently open for our Fall 2026 internship program. Below is a copy of the job description. Please feel free to circulate it around your networks and flag any notable candidates to me.

Job description

The New York City Fall 2026 Internship application is now open! We are currently seeking a team of highly motivated, dedicated, and civic-minded students to join us in-person for the 2026 Fall academic semester in our Manhattan office.

Internship Overview
The New York City Fall 2026 Internship program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders and prepare them for future public service opportunities. Students are provided with a unique vantage point from which to observe and participate in government work. Interns are placed in functional departments in the senator’s New York City office including Constituent Affairs, Community Outreach and Operations.

Key responsibilities include:
·        Maintain front desk operations including answering and logging live phone calls, sorting email inboxes, and processing physical mail correspondence.
·         Assist with office management, including helping with scheduling, maintaining databases, and supporting staff with general administrative duties.
·         Draft correspondence on behalf of the Senator, including persuasive writing advocating on behalf of a constituent.
·        Conduct research and draft briefs on the issue areas covered by staff members.
·         Assist outreach staff members in organizing and developing community outreach events such as grant workshops, roundtable discussions, working group meetings, etc.

For more information on our departments, please review the attached internship job description.

Internship FAQ 

For more details on Senate internships, please visit Internships – Kirsten Gillibrand | U.S. Senator for New York

·         Is this internship paid?

o    No. Our office offers unpaid educational internships. However, we offer a limited number of transport subsidies each semester, subject to availability.

o    We encourage interns to apply for college/university academic credit or a stipend through a relevant department or career development office. We will assist interns in providing appropriate information as requested by their school.

·         How long is this internship?

o    Our office is hiring interns for the 2026 Fall academic semester, starting in September and ending in December.

·         Who can apply for this internship?

o   Undergraduates, Recent Graduates, students pursuing higher degrees (Law, Masters, etc.)

§  We welcome all applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence and have displayed a commitment to public service.

o    While preference is given to New York residents, students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

o    Note: All interns must be able to work in-person at the Manhattan office in New York.

·         How much time is an intern expected to work?

o    We require a commitment of 15 minimum hours. We’re happy to accommodate academic schedules and are open to working with each intern to find a balance that allows them to contribute meaningfully while managing their other responsibilities.

To Apply

Please submit on our internship portal:

 https://oampluspublic.senate.gov/public/login/03e99b44-869b-4307-a8a4-84ac61b3ea48

To be considered, applicants must submit the questionnaire, a current resume, a cover letter, a writing sample, a letter of recommendation, and an unofficial transcript.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with students who may be interested. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Theo Eisenberg, the New York City Regional Assistant at [email protected]

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION 

Our internship program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders and prepare them for future public service opportunities. Students are provided with a unique vantage point from which to observe and participate in government work. Interns will be placed in a number of departments in the Senator’s office including Constituent Affairs, Community Outreach and Operations.

Outreach 

The Outreach Department in the New York City Office of Senator Gillibrand is responsible for engaging and building relationships with community leaders, non-profit organizations, and business entities throughout New York City and State. In this area, Outreach interns help prepare for and accompany staff members to their meetings with community leaders.

Interns also conduct research and write briefs on the issue areas covered by outreach staff members. Due to outreach staff members consistently in the field liaising with the community, Interns also play an integral role in providing administrative and logistical support for our outreach staff. Interns will also have the opportunity to assist outreach staff members in organizing and developing community outreach events such as grants workshops, roundtable discussions, working group meetings, etc.

Casework 

Through their day-to-day responsibilities, students obtain broad exposure to federal administrative practices and are often responsible for their own portfolio of casework that they oversee from the initial intake to the conclusion of the case.

Students perform an initial intake with constituents who seek the Senator’s direct involvement with their administrative matter and research the relevant federal agencies and administrative law, identify next steps, and (where appropriate and with supervision) advocate on behalf of constituents directly with agency congressional liaisons. Students are also responsible for drafting correspondence on behalf of the Senator, including persuasive writing advocating on behalf of a constituent.

Whenever possible, and where their schedule allows, students are invited to attend our community events and sit in on meetings with community leaders, businesses, and nonprofits that are led by our staff.

This internship is best suited for students interested in pursuing a career in public service and, especially those who are interested in direct services. Students interested in immigration, housing, public benefits advocacy, and veteran and military affairs are especially encouraged to apply.

Operations

The Operations Department in the New York City Office of Senator Gillibrand is responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the office’s day-to-day activities. Operations interns will gain insight into the logistical and administrative processes required to support the office’s functions at the city and state level.

Interns will assist with office management, including helping with scheduling, maintaining databases, and supporting staff with general administrative duties. They will help ensure that all office systems run efficiently, including assisting with the preparation of materials for meetings, briefings, and events.

Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to learn about the office’s internal policies and procedures, support event coordination, and assist in managing the office’s correspondence and communications.

This internship provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop organizational, project management, and communication skills while gaining valuable experience in a fast-paced, high-impact work environment. Students interested in operations, administration, and policy implementation are encouraged to apply. Please let me know ig students apply from CUNY.


Posted

in

by

Tags: