The purpose of the Legislative Intern Program is to provide advanced students at Montana institutions of higher learning with a working knowledge of representative government by allowing them to observe the state Legislature during its regular sessions.
The program is authorized by state law (5-6-102 through 111 MCA). The Legislative Council administers the program, including assigning each intern to a legislative sponsor.
Each tribal college, private college, two-year public college, and unit of the university system in Montana may designate at least one intern. The chief administrator of the unit is responsible for choosing the intern(s).
The Legislature does not pay a stipend or other compensation for internships. However, a student may arrange in advance with his or her school to get academic credit for an internship.
Qualifications
To serve as an intern, a student must:
Have studied at least one semester of government or its equivalent at an institution of higher learning;
Be at least a junior at a four-year institution or a sophomore at a two-year institution; and
Have exhibited scholastic achievement, leadership, and community involvement.
Duties and Responsibilities
Interns may be asked to perform any or all of the following duties:
Analyze bills and preparing bill summaries.
Conduct research.
Draft a committee statement or speech to be given by a sponsor to a citizen group or other audience.
Answer constituent mail.
Prepare a daily status of bills of particular interest to the intern's sponsor.
Prepare a daily agenda of bills to be heard in the sponsor's committees.
Make phone calls and appointments for the sponsor.
When and How to Apply
There are currently no legislative intern positions for the 2013 session. For other employment opportunities and short term session jobs please click here.
