Public Works Intern - Communications & Outreach

The Public Works Department Communications/Outreach internship is for students in good academic standing enrolled in a communications, business management, marketing, urban planning, GIS, public administration, or similar program at an accredited university.

Working in the Department’s Administrative Division, the intern will support many aspects of the Capital Improvement Program Communication and Outreach team including: weekly capital project updates, project update flyers, social media content, copy writing/editing, website content generation/CMS/UX/Accessibility updates, event support, and general communications support. Through the exposure to a wide range of activities, the internship is intended to provide the student with a rewarding professional experience that complements their academic program.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This position serves as an entry-level position designed to expose the student intern to municipal communications and outreach for capital projects. The intern will assist team members on existing or new projects and will gain work experience to increase their ability to compete in the workforce for other entry-level positions.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Under general supervision, assists, participates in, and performs various administrative support and basic analytical duties for the Public Works Department.
• Conducts research, data collection, and data entry.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of documents including maps, dashboards, reports, and web content.
• Performs a variety of administrative and clerical duties relative to assigned area of responsibility.
• Provides work status updates; notifies superiors when unexpected issues arise.
• May make occasional oral reports or presentations.

• Provide responsible basic administrative support to assigned area.
• Learn operations, services, and activities within the area of assignment; participate in various administrative support functions.
• Formulate hypotheses and develop conclusions and prepare reports.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; learn and effectively utilize various software applications.
• Utilize good judgment in analyzing situations carefully and adopting effective courses of action; gather, organize, compile, and summarize data.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Education: Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university, preferably pursuing a degree in engineering, environmental science, construction management, water resources, urban planning, GIS, public administration, or similar program.
• Licenses and Other Requirements:
  • Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the City’s insurance to operate motor vehicles.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
The intern is regularly required to work in an office setting, conduct field and site visits, and run errands. Data entry is done at the computer desktop and some work may be performed remotely at the discretion of the supervisor.

Salary : $18 - $20