The MCS Policy Center places talented Maine undergraduate and graduate students in temporary paid positions in Maine municipal and county governments. An important benefit to town/city governments is that the Policy Center performs the recruitment and selection processes and has access to an extensive applicant pool.

Policy Center staff will work with municipal officials in developing the position descriptions to help ensure appropriate intern placements. The earlier you can contact us, the better chance we have of recruiting qualified candidates for your location.

2026 Municipal and County Signature Form 

The Maine Municipal Association Grant Form

TO APPLY:

Step 1: Fill out the online intern request form.  Applications open on January 1 to March 1. We encourage you to talk with us during this process, if you have any questions. 

Step 2: Fill out the 2026 Municipality/County Government and Other Partnerships.  To be completed after the application form above.

Program Dates-The 2026 Maine Government Summer Internship Program runs May 26 through August 14 for a total of 12 weeks.

  • The program begins with a required two-day onboarding workshop for interns, in Augusta, on May 27 and 28.  Supervisors are asked to please make arrangements on your calendar to join the morning session in Augusta on May 26.
  • A required, one-day professional workshop for interns will be held on June 24, which will take your intern out of work for the day. 
  • The program concludes with a reception during which interns and supervisors are recognized by the Governor or her designee.

Compensation-Municipal/county governments will be responsible for employing interns, including wages and all locally appropriate federal and state withholdings. The wage for 2025 is $17.00 per hour.  Interns are considered temporary, unclassified employees and are typically not paid for holidays or other non-work time.  In addition to wages and benefits, participating agencies pay a fee of $300 per intern to the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center to defray a portion of the Center’s administrative costs.

Grants are available to help with the costs of employing an intern if your municipality is an MMA member. Read about the grant opportunity here.

For Municipal/County Supervisors