Construction Codes & Standards Intern at National Association of Home Builders – Washington, District of Columbia

The National Association of Home Builders’ Summer Internship Program offers a structured, hands-on experience designed to provide meaningful exposure to the housing industry and the policy environment that shapes it. Located in the National Housing Center and based in Washington, D.C., the summer program places interns alongside experienced professionals, where they contribute to real-time initiatives, develop practical skills, and gain insight into the work of a national trade association. This internship is unpaid; however, students may be eligible to receive academic credit through their college or university, where applicable.

As part of the Construction Codes & Standards team, the Construction Codes & Standards Intern will support key pieces of NAHB’s strategic plan by helping develop accurate, organized, and actionable resources on state and local building code policies and the processes through which change can be advanced. This work will support NAHB staff, as well as state and local HBA staff and members, in advocating more effectively for housing policy priorities and solutions that help address housing affordability.

What You’ll Do

• Assist in cataloging state and local laws, policies, and processes related to construction code adoption, including state and local amendments to model building codes and standards
• Help expand and improve the team’s existing SharePoint database, with a focus on building, residential, and energy codes
• Research state and local statutes, legislation, and ordinances related to how jurisdictions update building codes, including identifying relevant review committees, councils, and stakeholders
• Track and organize emerging trends in construction code adoption and implementation, including extended code adoption cycles, zoning and code changes related to missing middle housing, embodied carbon requirements, home energy assessment requirements, building performance standards, and related topics
• Support the development of internal resources to help the CC&S team maintain and update data in future years
• Assist in developing public-facing resources that summarize findings and provide useful access to collected data for state and local HBA staff and members
• Organize research findings and support materials in a clear, accurate, and usable format
• Provide general project support to help advance the team’s strategic plan and research priorities

What You’ll Learn

• Hands-on experience in policy research, policy analysis, and advocacy support within a national trade association
• Exposure to how state and local building code policies are developed, adopted, amended, and implemented
• Insight into legislative and legal research processes related to housing policy and regulatory issues
• Experience developing internal and external resources that support advocacy strategy and stakeholder engagement
• Skill development in data organization, written analysis, critical thinking, and research communication
• A stronger understanding of how NAHB, state and local HBAs, and members advocate for housing affordability and policy priorities across the country

Who You Are

• Current undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Law, Urban Planning, Communications, Business, or a related field
• Strong research skills, preferably including legislative, legal, or policy research experience
• Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to manage project tasks, assemble information, and provide regular progress updates
• Strong writing and critical thinking skills, with the ability to analyze information and communicate findings clearly to different audiences
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Interest in housing policy, building codes, advocacy, or regulatory research
• Experience with project management platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or Forms is a plus
• Experience with research tools such as LexisNexis, BGOV, Westlaw, or similar platforms is a plus
• Demonstrated experience using AI-based tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude for research support is a plus

How To Apply

• Please submit your resume, a cover letter, and any relevant materials through the NAHB Career Center.