Communications and Public Engagement Intern

Job Description:

Communications and Public Engagement Intern

Description

Office of Communications and Public Engagement

Position Type: Temporary, Internship (40 hours per week for the summer)

There is one open position for this internship opportunity.

Overview

The Communications and Public Engagement (CAPE) Office is seeking a full-time summer intern to support Albemarle County’s public engagement and communications efforts. This role provides hands-on experience in communications, outreach, and campaign development within a local government environment.

This position will contribute to both engagement activities and communications development and distribution, helping to connect community members with County initiatives, services, and processes. This position will experience the real-world application of public messaging, including direct community interaction, content development, and campaign design.

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Outreach

· Plan, attend, and promote weekly community engagement pop-ups, including staffing the County’s “Let’s Talk Albemarle” van with guidance and support from staff

· Prepare materials for public-facing events (displays, handouts, signage)

Communications & Content Development and Distribution

· Design, edit and schedule content for newsletters, social media, flyers, and other public-facing materials that encourage community awareness, participation, and engagement

· Translate complex or technical information into clear, accessible, plain-language content

· Create basic graphic designs using County templates and brand standards

· Assist in tracking communications and engagement metrics

· Conduct interviews with County departments to gather information on key projects, services, and initiatives

· Synthesize information into messaging that can be used for ongoing communications and outreach

· Develop a New Resident Guide, including content development, coordination with departments, and formatting

Intern Cohort Participation

· Participate in the County’s summer intern cohort program, collaborating with interns from across the organization (approximately 20% of time)

Qualifications

· Currently pursuing or recently completed an undergraduate or graduate degree, ideally in communications, marketing, or similar field

· Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly to a public audience

· Familiarity with basic graphic design tools (e.g., Canva)

· Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines

· Interest in public service, communications, or community engagement

· Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

· Valid drivers license and willingness to drive engagement van to local events

Preferred:

· Experience with social media platforms and content creation

· Interest in storytelling, interviewing, or content development

· Interest in data analysis or communications metrics

Work Schedule and Pay:

• Interns are expected to work approximately 40 hours per week
• Pay rate is $20/hour.
• Internship placement is projected for June-August 2026.

Location: On-site (in-person)

Application Process: Please apply through the Career Center on the Albemarle website. Application deadline May 12th, 2026

Virginia Values Veterans:

Albemarle County is a certified V3 organization.

EOE/EEO:

Albemarle County is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in regards to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.