Administrative Services Intern

Internship Opportunity

The Department of Public Defense (DPD), within the Director's Office, is excited to recruit student interns for an engaging 810-week internship program beginning approximately in June 2026. This internship offers students a valuable opportunity to explore careers in public defense while gaining meaningful insight into and a deeper understanding of how the Department of Public Defense serves King County, the community our clients call home.

In this role, interns will learn about the public defense system and the important work that goes into supporting client representation. Interns will assist with archiving, filing, and restocking closed case files, while also supporting the Director's Office with a variety of administrative and operational projects.

In turn, interns will also gain hands-on experience in areas such as office administration, case and document management, interdepartmental coordination, and professional communication. Throughout the internship, students will have opportunities to learn alongside and collaborate with a diverse team of dedicated public defense professionals, including attorneys, public defense trainers, special counsel, operations staff, and human resources professionals.

DPD is committed to creating meaningful learning experiences that welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

This is a rolling application and internship positions will remain open until filled. Interns are paid bi-weekly. These positions are subject to approved funding. This is a non-benefit eligible position. We anticipate filling approximately 5 internships.

The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.

DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.

DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework.

Job Duties

• Perform general office functions such as answering phones, photocopying, emailing, and processing/distributing/routing incoming and outgoing mail.
• Compose, draft, type, proofread, and edit documents.
• Maintain security and confidentiality of highly sensitive communications.
• Utilize various computer programs to maintain, update, enter, and retrieve data including MS Word, Outlook, and Excel programs.
• Assist with special projects as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Interest in a career in public defense and/or in public service.
• Must be at least 16 years old when the program begins.
• Must be enrolled in college or be a high school student in King County.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must commit to the duration of the assignment.
• Must have the ability to work on-site, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and discretion involving highly sensitive matters at all times.
• Be detail-oriented, organized, and use initiative to solve problems.
• Demonstrated comfort with the use of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, email, and electronic record filing systems to create correspondence and send and receive information.
• Experience operating standard office equipment including personal computer, copier, fax machines and multi-line telephone.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.

Supplemental Information

This opportunity to join DPD is available to currently enrolled high school, college, or university students. Proof of current enrollment will be required upon hire, and interns must reside in King County. Please apply at This position is not eligible for benefits. However, interns will receive an ORCA card for the duration of their assignment, providing access to King County's public transportation system. To be considered for this role submit the following items:

• Completed King County application.
• A current resume.
• Cover letter detailing why you are interested in this Internship with the Department of Public Defense.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact our Talent Advisors at View email address on click.appcast.io. The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, references, a personnel file review going back the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience and attach the required documents to your application.

Interns may work 20 40 hours per week for the assignment period, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime. This position is not represented by a union.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.