Human Resources & Organizational Development Intern

Arlington County VA•Arlington, VA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Arlington County is seeking a motivated Human Resources & Organizational Development Intern to assist the HR team in serving nearly 800 employees within the Department of Environmental Services (DES). This one-year, full-time, paid internship program is designed for graduate-level HR students to gain hands-on experience in HR operations, recruiting, learning & development, and process improvement. The intern will support the HR team through project-based work aimed at improving workflows, reducing administrative burden, and strengthening people operations. This role involves working closely with the HR team on priority projects, maintaining documentation, organizing resources, and contributing to various HR functions.

Requirements

Recent, 2025 and/or 2026 college graduates earning either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in the area of consideration prior to the start date of the Cohort Program (Sept. 2026).
No professional-level work experience (less than one year) in the internship field.
Currently enrolled student in a Master’s degree program related to the internship, but must not have significant professional-level work experience in the internship area and must be available to work during designated hours.
Degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related discipline.
Strong organizational, written communication, and customer service skills.
Interest in HR operations, process improvement, and project-based work.
Ability to complete each section of the application thoroughly, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions.
Background check required, including criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history.
Must sign a release authorizing the County to obtain background information.
A complete application includes a letter of interest detailing background and experience and how they have prepared you for this position.
Responses to supplemental questions are required.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting administrative coordination, responding to inquiries, or managing documentation in a fast-paced environment is preferred.
Experience in or possession of one or more of the following: G.P.A. of 3.0 or above is preferred and applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts.
Drafting or maintaining process documentation, SOPs, or training materials.
Supporting recruiting, onboarding, or HR coordination activities.
Researching HR best practices, workforce programs, or learning resources.
Experience with SharePoint, HRIS systems, or collaborative document tools.

Responsibilities

Supporting HR operations through project-based initiatives, process improvements, and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to onboarding, offboarding, hoteling, and other operational workflows.
Facilitating Day One orientation sessions for new DES hires by presenting information, engaging participants, and serving as a resource for onboarding questions and support.
Assisting with HR systems and content management, including maintaining the HR SharePoint site and organizing and updating HR resources and information.
Supporting employee lifecycle activities, including coordinating onboarding processes, developing job descriptions and job postings, and assisting with recruitment activities such as candidate communications and offer materials.
Supporting Learning and Development initiatives by researching training resources, preparing materials, and assisting with training sessions.
Processing and submitting merit award nominations.
Coordinating Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests across the Department and providing responsive documents to the County Manager’s Office in a timely manner.
Reviewing and responding to inquiries received through the general DES inbox.
Performing other duties as assigned to support HR operations and departmental priorities.