What are the responsibilities and job description for the PROGRAM SUPPORT: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRADUATE INTERN position at Town of Chapel Hill?
The Town’s Economic Development Department is focused on 5 priority areas:
(1) Product & Posture;
(2) Community Partnership;
(3) Existing Business Services & Support;
(4) Real Estate & Projects; and
(5) Access to Opportunities.
There will be opportunities for the graduate intern to work across the five priority areas; the selected intern will mostly work on projects related to priority areas 1 and 3. The graduate intern will also work across multiple departments to complete their projects and support ongoing goals and objectives of the Economic Development Department.
Our graduate intern will be well supported at the Town of Chapel Hill. The selected candidate will be tasked with developing several tangible project deliverables that could benefit the individual from now and in the future. Additionally, the candidate would be exposed to a unique, diverse, and well-rounded economic development experience. This experience will set the young professional up for success in a variety of economic development settings, both rural and urban, and provide a deeper understanding of the economic development profession.
The graduate intern will gain valuable experience managing projects, researching information, engaging the community, working in complex and political environments, analyzing data, and more.
The key objective of the intern will be to activate economic vibrancy in our urban core, the downtown. The intern will support the Town’s efforts to transition our economy from a 9-month, student centric economy, to a 12-month, professional focused economy. They will do this by working on a variety of projects in an urban environment:
- Support the Business Vitality Manager with the implementation of the Town’s first Existing Business Support Program.
- Occupancy Identification and Indexing throughout Chapel Hill’s Downtown core.
- Conduct a Downtown SWOT/SOAR Analysis.
The intern will be responsible for the above materials and scope of work. Additional duties may be assigned by the Town Manager and Department Director.
In addition to the responsibilities and deliverables above, the intern will work closely and apprentice with the Department Director. Working closely with the Town’s Senior Leadership, this intern will gain unique insights to the complexities of an urban and public EDO.
The intern will be provided the opportunity to apprentice:
- confidential deal negotiations,
- real estate transactions,
- project and site visits,
- entitlement and regulatory process,
- local, state, and federal procurement,
- local government budgeting and monitoring,
- workforce development initiatives,
- town and gown relationships,
- community and neighborhood-based initiatives,
- diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives,
- strategic planning,
- development finance and pro-forma development, and
- policy development.
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job.
Education
- completed a BA/BS in Economic Development or a related degree.
- be currently enrolled in a graduate program; or
- recently completed a graduate program.
Proficiency in MS Office is strongly preferred.
Licenses/Certificates
The possession of or the ability to obtain a valid NC driver's license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites.
Program Support employees do not accrue Town benefits and may not work more than 950 hours in a rolling 12-month period. Estimated start : May 2025
Salary : $23 - $30
