Legislative & Government Affairs Intern

Legislative & Government Affairs Intern:

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) was established in 1974 to better respond to the County's need for affordable housing. HOC is Montgomery County's Public Housing Authority, Housing Finance Agency, and Public Developer, assisting nearly 20,000 households with rental assistance, mixed-income development, and homeownership programs.

Job Description:

We are seeking a motivated intern to join our team for 3 months in the agency's Legislative and Government Affairs team. The Intern will help track and analyze local, state and federal legislation and regulations that might impact HOC; research new policy ideas, national best practices, and trends in housing policy; and assist in developing charts, slides, fact sheets, memorandum and letters to support HOC's internal policy making process and external legislative advocacy. A candidate that has the skills or willingness to learn may be asked to conduct data analysis and construct compelling data visualizations to better inform policy decisions.

In addition to assisting with the daily work of the LGA team, over the course of the internship, the intern will be expected to complete an independent research project on a topic related to affordable housing, chosen by the intern in consultation with the LGA team.

Examples of Duties:

Review Policy Research:

• Researching and drafting a memo analyzing how other local jurisdictions manage a particular policy or operational challenge.
• Working with operational divisions to assess the potential impact of a proposed legislative or regulatory change.
• Assisting in the planning and execution of a policy roundtable with HOC and other housing agencies to share information and best practices.
• Attending an informational hearing or webinar and reporting back to the team.
• Analyzing how funding streams and programs are implemented to look for opportunities to remove policy barriers or add additional resources.

Legislative Tracking and Advocacy:

• Maintaining a database of active legislation that may affect HOC and updating it as it moves through the legislative process.
• Tracking key legislative and regulatory dates such as public hearings, comment deadlines, and committee sessions and helping to ensure that HOC's views are heard as appropriate.
• Assisting in the preparation of presentations, letters and memorandum to respond to legislative requests for information or provide information.
• Drafting position papers outlining HOC's positions on legislation.
• Perform related and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong communication skills and analytical skill.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to perform other related duties as assigned.

*Pay Range: The pay for this internship is a fixed rate of $17 an hour.

HOC is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, citizenship, immigration status, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. HOC promotes a drug-free workplace.

HOC conducts criminal background checks, employment reference checks, and where applicable, reviews driving records to determine employment suitability. Selected applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Employment is contingent upon drug and alcohol test results.