Federal Relations Spring Intern

Who We Are

At TPL were a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. Were committed to creating more places that bring us outsideparks trails playgrounds and public landsand making them available and welcoming to everyone everywhere regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. Thats why through our Black History and Culture initiativewere working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and were an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands.

One hundred million people including 28 million children dont have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home. Were determined to change this outdoor equity gapand as a result nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. Were inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. Join us!

Position Summary :

The Federal Relations team at Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking a highly motivated undergraduate student or recent graduate for a Spring 2026 internship beginning January 2026. Our team is dedicated to TPLs mission to create parks and protect land for people. We are responsible for TPLs federal policy strategy and advocacy including appropriating federal funds for conservation programs ensuring equitable outdoor access protecting public lands and increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Federal Relations Interns will fill a distinct role on our team while sustaining ample opportunities to collaborate. The Intern will work on our federal portfolio including but not limited to trails tribal lands Black history and culture landscape protection community schoolyards and federal grants. This position will also include assorted administrative clerical and programmatic tasks. These duties will be in support of staffs lobbying activities on Capitol Hill and our federal grant management.

Essential Functions :

• Support the implementation of our national campaign to increase funding for local parks and schoolyards across the country
• Research Trust for Public Land initiative areas including federal schoolyards and urban park legislation tracking support and opportunities to engage members of Congress
• Research and track federal grant and funding programs focused on increasing equitable access to the outdoors
• Conduct research and prepare blogs advocacy letters fact sheets internal communications and press releases related to schoolyards and park equity
• Track outreach and communication to members of Congress
• Attend lobby meetings coalition meetings federal agency webinars etc.
• Participate in regular team and organizational meetings
• Perform general administrative duties in support of assigned project work

Qualifications :

Compensation :

Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment and this role will ideally be located near our Washington DC Trust for Public Land office. As a temporary part-time intern you will be paid at a rate of $19 / hour.

Applicants must be able to work 12-32 hours per week. The Internship runs approximately 16 weeks from January 20th through May 15th.

Trust for Public Lands active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and / or multicultural skill sets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case we encourage you to apply.

Required Experience :

Intern

Key Skills

Campaigns,Abinitio,AutoCAD 3D,Hardware & Networking,Customer Support,Arabic

Employment Type : Intern

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1