Job Description
The Future Talent Program features internships that last up to 12 weeks and will include one or more 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 bachelors 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 $39600.00-$105500.00 USD
FTP2026
AH2026
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
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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 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
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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 relocationVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
n/aJob Posting End Date:
02/23/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Required Experience:
Intern
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more