What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Intern - Seattle City Light position at City of Seattle?
Position Description
Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
While the communications intern reports to the internal communications manager, the intern contributes to both internal and external communications projects. The primary deliverables of the intern are to assist the division with drafting content for internal and external audiences; contributing to social media campaigns; helping develop people-driven content, such as employee profiles; assisting with community outreach efforts; and providing event support. The intern contributes to the utility’s Powerlines blog, employee intranet, and employee newsletter. The intern position plays a key role in helping the Communications team effectively inform and engage employees and customers and enhance the utility’s reputation.
Learning Objectives:
Project(s) Scope:
Required Qualifications:
Undergraduate students will need to maintain a 2.0 GPA or above throughout the internship.
Areas of Study:
You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:
Additional Information
The full salary range for this position is $21.78 per hour.
Application Process
To complete your application, submit the online form with the following attachments:
Internship Duration and Hours: Year-long: The timeframe of this internship will be one year in duration, with either a May (semester schools) or June (quarter schools) 2025 start date. Working hours are up to 40 per week during the summer, and a max of 20 per week during the academic year.
Hybrid Work: The City has the expectation that interns will be readily available to report to onsite at work in Seattle in accordance with the current Mayoral mandate of a minimum of 3 days per week. Additional in-person work requirements are based on business need and determined by the hiring authority.
Interns must have a Washington State address and live in Washington State at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment.
Benefits: Interns do not receive benefits but can obtain a subsidized ORCA pass and accrue sick time that can be used after 90 days of employment.
Background Check: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA , people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.
Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
While the communications intern reports to the internal communications manager, the intern contributes to both internal and external communications projects. The primary deliverables of the intern are to assist the division with drafting content for internal and external audiences; contributing to social media campaigns; helping develop people-driven content, such as employee profiles; assisting with community outreach efforts; and providing event support. The intern contributes to the utility’s Powerlines blog, employee intranet, and employee newsletter. The intern position plays a key role in helping the Communications team effectively inform and engage employees and customers and enhance the utility’s reputation.
Learning Objectives:
- Deeper understanding of communications, employee relations, social media engagement, and marketing and outreach strategies.
- Opportunity to flex communication skills on diverse projects while building a portfolio and gaining insights into the utility industry and public sector.
- A chance to sharpen communications skills through participation in team meetings and discussions, while learning from a diverse group of professionals.
Project(s) Scope:
- Draft newsletter and blog content to inform and engage employees and customers.
- Create content for social media platforms.
- Track metrics for content featured in the employee newsletter and posted to employee intranet (internal website).
- Assist with community outreach efforts, including assembling tabling kits and providing event support.
Required Qualifications:
Undergraduate students will need to maintain a 2.0 GPA or above throughout the internship.
Areas of Study:
- Enrolled in an accredited certificate, 2-year or 4-year undergraduate program during their internship.
- Enrolled in an academic program with focus on Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Digital Media, Political Science, Business Administration, Public Relations major or related field.
You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:
- Possess strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
- Familiarity with Associated Press writing style
- Experience writing, creating, and publishing content to social media platforms
- Proficiency using social media management software, such as Hootsuite (desired, but not required)
- Photography or graphic and/or video editing skills in Canva, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, or Premiere Pro (desired, but not required)
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Curiosity and a creative mindset
Additional Information
The full salary range for this position is $21.78 per hour.
Application Process
To complete your application, submit the online form with the following attachments:
- Resume
- Cover letter explaining how your coursework, activities, and experience qualify you for this internship.
- Your unofficial transcript - including current coursework, next term registration (if available at the time of application), and cumulative GPA.
Internship Duration and Hours: Year-long: The timeframe of this internship will be one year in duration, with either a May (semester schools) or June (quarter schools) 2025 start date. Working hours are up to 40 per week during the summer, and a max of 20 per week during the academic year.
Hybrid Work: The City has the expectation that interns will be readily available to report to onsite at work in Seattle in accordance with the current Mayoral mandate of a minimum of 3 days per week. Additional in-person work requirements are based on business need and determined by the hiring authority.
Interns must have a Washington State address and live in Washington State at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment.
Benefits: Interns do not receive benefits but can obtain a subsidized ORCA pass and accrue sick time that can be used after 90 days of employment.
Background Check: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA , people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.
Salary : $22
