Job Description
The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more projects. These opportunities in our Animal Health Division can provide you with great development and a chance to see if we are the right company for your long-term goals.
The Animal Health Public Policy and Government Relations Intern will be supporting the North American Animal Health business.
The intern will provide added value to the Animal Health Public Policy team, learning to advocate for policy initiatives that support our business and our customers’ businesses. The intern will interact and build networks with various stakeholders at the federal and state-level, including federal agencies, the U.S. Congress, producer groups, trade associations, multi-stakeholder coalitions, and state government agencies to gain first-hand policy experience. An interest in public policy is critical, but prior experience is not required. Issue areas covered by the public policy team include but are not limited to animal health and welfare, One Health and zoonoses, animal traceability, biotechnology, precision livestock agriculture, animal monitoring, telehealth, and international trade.
This Position Will Be Based In Washington, D.C. On a Hybrid Office Schedule. The Job Scope And Primary Focus For This Position Is To Actively Support The Public Policy Team On a Diverse Array Of Projects And Priorities That Add Value To The Business Including
- Attend and report out summaries of relevant hearings and bill markups in federal and state legislative bodies
- Policy (legislation and regulation) review and analysis
- Develop and execute plans for engaging with coalitions and trade associations on priority issues
- Participate in meetings and events including trade association and coalition meetings, meetings with legislative staff, briefings and events, etc.
- Ensure clear, concise and timely communication with the policy team and the business on priority issues
- Assist the policy team in coordinating DC-based events and activities
- Other responsibilities as assigned
Education Minimum Requirement
- Currently enrolled in any bachelor’s or graduate degree program
- Completed at least 2 years of college course work by May 2026
Required Experience And Skills
- Available for a period of 3 months beginning approximately Mid-May to Mid-August 2026 (exact dates flexible)
- Excellent interpersonal/communication, writing, and presentation skills
- General computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to be organized, adapt to a changing environment, work independently and as part of a team
- Demonstrates high ethical standards
Preferred Experience And Skills
- Interest in public policy
- Interest in animal health
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
Please note that this position may be closed before the posted end date or may remain open longer, at the discretion of the company.
Salary Range
The salary range for this role is $39,600.00-$105,500.00 USD
FTP2026
AH2026
Required Skills
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US And Puerto Rico Residents Only
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
Requirements
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
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EEOC GINA Supplement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
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U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status
Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)
Relocation:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship
No
Travel Requirements
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements
Hybrid
Shift
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License
No
Hazardous Material(s)
n/a
Job Posting End Date
02/23/2026
- A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID:R362130
