Public Affairs Specialist

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

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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. There is an option for telework 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 2026. 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: $27.66 - $35.97/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/2026/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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
5. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Qualifications

Must be a student above high school level to apply. All applicants are required to pass a background check to begin the program.

Additional information

Important Note : All National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-Form 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the Agency. This information will be required annually .

Employees must be totally objective and impartial in the performance of their work. All potential issues (e.g.: work related interactions with friends, family members or previous employers) must be disclosed at the time of application or during the interview process.

This position is in the excepted service and not subject to competitive service procedures.

When promotion potential is shown, the Agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES (political) employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the National Indian Gaming Commission. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau Security Office.

For additional information about the National Indian Gaming Commission, please visit: www.nigc.gov .

NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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