Public Affairs Intern

Public Affairs Intern

Department of the Interior

Office of the Secretary of the Interior

National Indian Gaming Commission

Summary

The National Indian Gaming Commission's primary mission is to work within the framework created by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) for the regulation of gaming activities conducted by tribes on Indian lands to fully realize IGRA's goals: (1) promoting tribal economic development, self-sufficiency and strong tribal governments; (2) maintaining the integrity of the Indian gaming industry; and (3) ensuring that tribes are the primary beneficiaries of their gaming activities.

Duties

Are you looking to place a winning bet on your future as a public relations professional? Come join the Division of Public Affairs team at the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) - an independent federal regulatory Agency within the Department of Interior (DOI).

This internship position will help you build your professional skills and industry experience in the fast- paced world of federal government public affairs. Specifically, you will work to support NIGC's media relations, public engagement, and legislative and intergovernmental affairs programs. Guided by experts from the Division of Public Affairs, you will assist with reviewing, creating, and updating the Agency's internal and external information sharing activities- including working with website content and social media campaigns.

Together with tribes and states, NIGC regulates more than 500 gaming establishments operated by nearly 250 tribes across 29 states. To learn more, visit www.nigc.gov and follow us on Facebook , LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

Below are some examples of projects you will undertake:

1. Participate in and support planning, design, creation and publication/execution of print, social and video products in support of NIGC communications strategies. Examples:

Write news and feature stories for NIGC.

Produce community impact (human-interest) stories for Vital Voices series.

Research and draft press releases, media advisories, and media pitches.

2. Assist with planning and coordinating tradeshow and conference attendance.

3. Research, coordinate, and create prep packets to support Commission travel and/or media engagements.

4. Research information for responses to inquiries from the media and the general public.

5. Assist with NIGC website (NIGC.gov) and Intranet (SharePoint) maintenance and content updates (508 compliance review, HTML/PDF conversion, content review/revision, data currency).

6. Assist with developing social media calendar and drafting content for social channel posts.

7. Collect metrics and assist with initial analysis and recommendations for improving communications to reach audiences and stakeholders.

8. Assist with and participate in legislative and intergovernmental affairs projects and outreach events.

9. Assist with daily office operations, including document updating and proofing, data entry and records management tasks.

Location: This position can be located at NIGC Headquarters in Washington, D.C., or at one of NIGC's Oklahoma regional offices in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. There is an option for remote work based on manager discretion and the needs of the Agency and the employee. NIGC does not pay for relocation or housing/cost of living stipend.

Dates: May - September 2025. The internship is funded for 3 months (6 bi-weekly pay periods). The start and end dates are flexible to accommodate the participant's academic schedule.

Salary and benefits:

Washington, DC: $26.80 - $34.84/hour

Oklahoma City or Tulsa, OK: $23.49 - $30.54/hour

Location negotiable after selection: Your salary will be determined based on where you live. Find locality pay tables here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule

To determine hourly rate: annual salary/2087=hourly rate

12 weeks of full-time work (40 hours/week). For the duration of the internship, participants will receive full federal government benefits, including mass transit benefits.

This position is in the excepted service and not subject to competitive service procedures. Competitive Civil Service status is not acquired under this appointment. New appointees to the excepted service must serve a two year trial period. Merit Promotion procedures do not apply.

The NIGC has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework in accordance with agency policy.