2025 University Recruiting - Public Policy & Government Relations Intern

Job Description

Our Company's Animal Health Public Policy and Government Relations Intern will be supporting the Animal Health overall business in the U.S. 

The intern will provide added value to the our Company's 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 state-level, including 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, sustainability, animal traceability, biotechnology, precision livestock agriculture, animal monitoring, telehealth, and international trade. 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 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

• 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 2025

Required Experience and Skills: 

• Available for a period of 3 months beginning approximately May 19 to August 8, 2025 (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

Under New York City, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected salary range:

$39,600.00-$105,500.00 

MAH2025

FTP2025

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

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Job Posting End Date:

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