Council Office Intern

Oregonmetro; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Metro is hiring a Council Office Intern to support Legislative Services by assisting with meetings, materials, emails, and public records. You will staff officials, assist with constituent outreach, and collaborate on special projects.

The role offers exposure to meeting management, document drafting, and event planning while developing core public service skills in a fast-paced team.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or GED and relevant office/customer service experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally is essential.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with scheduling, meeting materials, and archiving public records.
• Staff elected officials alongside policy advisors and support constituent outreach.
• Handle communications, meetings logistics, and special projects coordination.
• Draft communications and support meeting minutes and materials.

Skills

Office experience

Customer service

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM on October 14th, 2026, or once 50 applications have been received, whichever occurs first. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure consideration.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Are you eager to learn more about regional government? Do you approach your work with an attitude that no job is too big or too small? If so, the Metro Council Office is seeking enthusiastic applicants who enjoy working in a fast paced and friendly environment. Come be a part of our team!

Metro accepts applications for Council Office Interns approximately twice per year. For the current cycle, employment will start November 2026 and end November 2027.

Metro is the only elected regional government in the country and serves more than 1.5 million people in the urbanized portions of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. Metro’s responsibilities include planning for land use and transportation as well as managing the region’s Urban Growth Boundary, solid waste and recycling system, 17,000 acres of parks, trails and natural areas, and visitor venues including the Oregon Zoo. Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today and tomorrow.

As a Council Office Intern you will:

• Work as a part of Metro Council’s Legislative Services team in administering Metro Council and committee meetings, preparing meeting materials, responding to emails and phone calls from residents, and archiving public records.
• Learn to staff elected officials alongside Council policy advisors, help with constituent outreach, build networking relationships with regional leaders, and collaborate on special projects.
• Master core skills for running effective meetings, from scheduling, set up, managing virtual meeting software, and operating audio/visual equipment.
• Gain experience drafting communications, supporting the creation of meeting materials and meeting minutes, and serving as an assistant on special projects ranging from research to event planning to social media.

Attributes for success:

• Be passionate about providing superior public service in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to complete work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to respond to the needs of elected officials, staff and members of the public in a timely manner by actively listening to request and showing respect and care.
• Have intermediate to advanced experience and knowledge using Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• Be eager to learn new skills!

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, AND
• 1 -2 years of experience working in an office or customer service environment OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Schedule

This position is located at Metro Regional Center, located at 600 NE Grand Ave. The person in this role will work 30 hours per week. Regular schedules include in-person work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and remote work Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. In-person and remote hours are subject to change based on Council needs, and with consideration to personal schedules.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• A cover letter introducing yourself and that describes which skills you are most eager to develop and how this internship will support your career goals.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check
• Background check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

Based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements, Metro’s internal equity review process, and the candidates’ qualifications, the appointment will typically be made at $20.20 per hour. This position is eligible for overtime, is non-represented and is classified as an Intern position.

Questions?

Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann

Email: [e-mail]

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Non-discrimination in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.??

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics.Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.