Summer Intern

Posting Date Range: 12/31/2025-1/30/2026
Pay Grade Range: $18.00 per hour
Work Hours: 40 hours per week
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

All hybrid work arrangements must be performed from within the continental United States, subject to Sergeant at Arms approval.

This vacancy announcement closes at 7pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

Job Description

The hourly rate for this position is: $18/hr

We are excited to announce the 2026 U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms (SAA) Summer Internship Program, a ten-week paid opportunity for college and technical/trade school students to gain firsthand experience with the operations of the United States Senate and careers that support the Legislative Branch.

The SAA is a nonpartisan office that plays a vital role in ensuring the Senate can meet its constitutional duties, including providing security, technology and essential support services for Senators and Senate offices.

The SAA Summer Internship Program blends meaningful, hands-on work with structured educational programming. Selected interns will:

• Gain rare insight into Senate operations.
• Contribute to projects that substantively support the Senate community.
• Develop professional skills in a historic and fast-paced institution.
• Gain practical experience with professional systems and equipment.

Selected interns will work in Washington, D.C. for ten weeks between Monday, May 29, and Friday, August 28.

About the Senate Sergeant at Arms:

The Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper serves as the United States Senate’s chief law enforcement and protocol officer as well as the executive officer responsible for a host of support services at the Senate. The office of the SAA is responsible for all Senate computers, software, equipment and technology support; oversees broadcasting of Senate floor proceedings and committee hearings; provides audio video recording and photographic services; and offers printing and graphics and telecommunications services. The SAA also assists all Senate offices with their mailing, staffing, purchasing, and financial needs.

Program Objectives:

• Provide SAA offices with additional assistance during the busy summer months.
• Introduce college and technical/trade school students to the SAA and the U.S. Senate through work assignments and educational programs.
• Provide a potential pipeline of qualified candidates for future employment within SAA offices, should an intern meet the criteria and qualifications for such employment after they graduate.

Eligible students must:

• have completed at least one year of college OR technical/trade school and be enrolled for the coming fall semester.
• be available to start the internship between May 29 and June 26.
• be able to work ten full-time (40-hour) work weeks at the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. Note: some internship positions may allow for partial remote work, but fully remote work is not available under the SAA Summer Internship Program.
• pass a criminal background investigation.
• demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills.

During the application process, summer intern candidates must notify HR of any family members who currently work for the SAA. All interns must independently meet the SAA’s qualification standards and be selected based upon their individual merits.

During the interview process, candidates are required to notify the SAA of any pre-planned leave that is scheduled during the internship period. All planned absences must be communicated before an offer letter is issued.

Individuals who have already participated in the SAA Summer Internship Program are not eligible to participate in the program again, except with the specific written approval of SAA Human Resources. Candidates must disclose whether they have previously held an internship with the SAA.

Key Accountabilities/Essential Job Duties:

Greets customers and answers informational inquiries and questions; provides information regarding activities and location of departments, offices and employees within the organization. Answers, screens and forwards telephone calls; records and relays messages as necessary. Learns and becomes proficient on internal software systems. Operates various computerized record keeping and document processing systems to input and retrieve data in support of departmental and Senate operations. Prepares and processes various correspondence, forms, records, reports, requests, requisitions and other documents according to office practices. Accepts designated, department-focus projects to research, and proposes ideas and solutions. Prepares orders for routine office supplies; requests special orders as needed; maintains inventory and distributes supplies. Collaborates with team members to coordinate and drive projects forward.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

To be employed by a Senate employing office in a paid position in the continental United States an individual must:
1. Be a U.S. citizen;
2. Be lawfully admitted for permanent residence and seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B);
3. Be (i) admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157 or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1158 and (ii) have filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or
4. Owe allegiance to the U.S. (i.e., qualify as a non-citizen U.S. national under federal law).

Employment is contingent on background / security investigation results.

BENEFITS AT-A-GLANCE

The SAA provides a highly competitive benefits package for all SAA staff. Our benefits extend beyond health care coverage to help provide employees with student loan reimbursement, professional development, transportation subsidy, TSP/retirement savings, access to our Employee Assistance Program, and more! For more information regarding SAA’s benefits, please visit https://sen.gov/OPPW.

ACCOMMODATIONS

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the SAA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAA and need special assistance or an accommodation to complete the application process, please submit your request to employment@saa.senate.gov email with “Accommodation” in the subject line.

VOLUNTARY SELF-IDENTIFICATION FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE

If you are identifying as veterans' preference eligible under the VEOA, please use this link to complete your application for Veterans' Preference AFTER you apply for this position. The link will also be available on the "Thank You" page after you have submitted your job application.

Candidates only need to apply one time for veterans’ preference to be considered for all future veterans’ preference positions within the Senate Sergeant at Arms.

• All supporting documents must ONLY be provided within the Veterans’ Preference Application and within the stated deadline of the job announcement.
• Late applications for veterans’ preference will not be considered.
• Documentation to obtain veterans’ preference will not be considered if attached to the job application.
• If you need to revise or resubmit your Application for Veterans' Preference/documents, please withdraw your previous Application for Veterans' Preference and resubmit. If you require assistance, please email employment@saa.senate.gov.

An applicant who declines to self-identify as a disabled veteran and/or to provide information and documentation regarding his/her disabled veteran’s status will not be subjected to an adverse employment action, but the individual may be ruled ineligible for veterans’ preference.