Federal Affairs Intern - Year Round

Apply by Date: 11/14/2025
Hourly Minimum Pay Rate: $35.39
Hourly Maximum Pay Rate: $46.87

 

If the idea of researching federal energy policies, reviewing energy legislation, preparing written summaries, and drafting memos analyzing energy market issues excites you, our team would like to meet you. Reporting to our federal affairs manager, the intern would also attend meetings and conference calls with trade group partners, participate in department team meetings, and assist government affairs staff with policy analysis and advocacy projects. 

• Read and analyze daily energy market developments reported in trade and national media sources; conduct research, analyses and provides assessments or recommendations on assigned policy issues.  Drafts written summaries and memoranda for presentation to the Board of Directors, executive and senior management, other Board and SMUD committees and outside agencies.
• In consultation with supervising manager, plans, executes, and delivers independent project aligned with SMUD operations and goals.

 

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is the nation's sixth largest community-owned electric utility serving 1.4 million people in the greater Sacramento, CA region. Our utility is striving to become carbon-free by 2030. SMUD's Government Affairs team is offering a paid internship opportunity to a motivated graduate student interested in pitching in to make that happen.

 

About SMUD's College Internship Program

SMUD's College Internship Program provides college interns with an opportunity to contribute their skills and knowledge to SMUD while gaining valuable work experience. Workshops and activities will also be part of the program where interns will have the opportunity to be immersed in SMUD's culture and learn leadership skills as well as develop their professional skills.

SMUD was also recognized by Interns 2 Pros for the 2020 Internship Program of The Year Award in recognition of excellence in internship strategy, implementation, and impact and was one of five finalists for the 2023 Internship Program of the Year from Interns 2 Pros along with Paramount, Fox Corporation, Intuit, and Toyota.

Purpose

Persons in this classification are full-time graduate students who perform research and analytical tasks for projects and assignments that utilize acquired experience, knowledge, academic skills in support of the department; provide SMUD with expertise on projects and short term business functions/projects.

Nature and Scope

This classification serves as a resource in a relevant professional discipline and works independently on projects of minor to moderate complexity. Work of this classification calls for regular application of analytical and independent research skills at the graduate level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Work may include, but is not limited to, the following: (NOTE: While in general all the functions and requirements listed are essential, individual positions and/or locations may not require all duties be performed.)

• Reads, researches, analyzes and provides information or recommendations on operational policies, procedures, and programs and maintains related departmental archives and manuals for staff reference. To enhance department efficiency through consistently informing the department manager of SMUD changes in policies, regulations and programs.
• Troubleshoots existing or potential operational, procedural, or strategic problems, work methods, work flow and paperwork channels; gathers data; analyzes and assesses existing and alternative methods for efficiencies and solutions; compiles results and formulates recommendations; and appraises the findings, alternatives, and recommended solutions for changing operations to improve work efficiency. To promote efficient department organization and functioning and support achievement of department performance objectives and operational goals.
• Researches and prepares materials for presentation to the Board of Directors, executive and senior management, other Board and SMUD committees and outside agencies. To ensure that department reporting of administrative, technical, and analytical information is accurate, timely and meets internal and external communication standards.
• Assists in coordinating, reviewing and conducting work planning and evaluation activities; researches project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives; and schedules tasks as outlined in the project plan/contract. To support the overall achievement and completion of department projects.
• Performs related duties as required.

 

Knowledge Of

• Techniques and practices for problem research,