State Affiliate Relations Intern

Education
February 18, 2026
$20 / hour
Internship
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Job Description

About the Job: State Affiliate Relations Intern – Spring 2026

If you would enjoy working in a dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to become part of a stellar team of professionals, the National Education Association (NEA) invites you to apply for the State Affiliate Relations Intern position for the Spring 2026 session.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a large, mission-driven organization focused on quality public education, by supporting its internal documentation, governance functions, and program management.

Position Details

  • Job Title: State Affiliate Relations Intern
  • Department: OO128 Center for Organizing & Affiliate Support (C4OAS)
  • Employee Type: SHORTTERM Short-term Temps (Intern – Fixed Term)
  • Posting Period: February 18, 2026 – Until Filled

Internship Session & Duration

The Spring 2026 session will begin on or after January 20, 2026, and will last no more than 16 weeks. The internships range from six weeks to a full semester.

Compensation & Hours

  • Stipend: $20 per hour
  • Maximum Hours: Up to twenty (20) hours per week

Location

This internship is not remote. Interns must be able to travel to the NEA Headquarters building in Washington, DC.

Position Emphasis & Learning Opportunities

The NEA Internship Program is designed to provide interns with comprehensive training, valuable learning opportunities, educational activities, and exposure to a variety of rich and substantive programmatic experiences that support quality public education. Interns will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with NEA staff and participate in meaningful projects and activities.

These experiences may include:

  • Conducting research and data analysis
  • Writing, editing, and utilizing Internet applications and social media
  • Participating in and assisting with partnership events, meetings, and policy forums
  • Visits to Capitol Hill and other appropriate program-related activities

Through this educational experience, interns will have opportunities to develop skills in:

  • Technical and professional writing
  • SOP development and documentation standards
  • Knowledge management and document systems
  • Understanding union organizing and governance structures
  • Building organizational power
  • Professional communications
  • Online research
  • Collaboration, communication, writing, research, analysis, preparing reports, interviewing, and use of organizing tools and strategies

Additionally, NEA Interns will learn about the NEA, its role in public education, issues affecting NEA members at the national, state, and local levels, and advocacy strategies to support members and the students they serve.

State Affiliate Relations Intern Assignments Include

This role is ideal for a strong communicator and detail-oriented writer interested in how large, mission-driven organizations document processes, support governance functions, and manage recurring programs and annual cycles. The intern will contribute to building and maintaining internal resources that support consistency, efficiency, and institutional knowledge across NEA and its state affiliates. Specific assignments may include:

  • Creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for leadership-facing processes
  • Developing playbooks or guides for annual programs
  • Summarizing policy discussions or operational decisions
  • Building reference tools used by executives and affiliate leaders

Who Should Apply

The NEA partners with institutions of higher education, intern programs, and other organizations to identify interns – generally juniors, seniors, recent college graduates (up to 18 months), or graduate students – who are interested in public education policy and education issues.

Students pursuing degrees in:

  • Education
  • Political Science
  • Government
  • Human Resources
  • Public Policy
  • Social Sciences
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Economics
  • Management
  • Communications
  • Computer Science
  • Journalism
  • Mass Media
  • Graphic Design
  • Digital Communications
  • and other relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply.

To Apply

Please submit the following documents online:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter – indicating preferred department or area(s) of interest
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Writing sample

Individuals selected for an interview will be contacted by the Center or department, and additional samples may be required at the time of the interview.

ADA Compliance

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the position involves skill in using a computer and/or laptop; oral and written communication skills; skills in proofreading and editing; use of clear and articulate speech; interpersonal relations skills; reasoning and problem-solving skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment; ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.); and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NEA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ENCOURAGES WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO APPLY.

NEA Participates in E-Verify. Read more here E-Verify Participation & Right to Work.

NEA complies with the DC Wage Transparency Act of 2023.

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