Communications Intern (20633185)

The City of Orinda - an exceptional place to live, work, and thrive - is seeking a motivated and civic-minded Communications Intern to support our public outreach and digital engagement efforts.  This temporary, part-time internship offers hands-on experience in municipal communications, ideal for college students or recent graduates interested in public service, media, or community engagement.

Start your public service journey with the City of Orinda -- where communication builds community.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Senior Management Analyst, the Communications Intern will contribute to a wide range of public information and outreach activities.  The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, responsible, detail oriented, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.  You will help craft digital content, support public engagement campaigns, and represent the City in a professional and tactful manner.

The position offers flexible part-time hours of up to 15-20 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend hours required for community events.  Compensation is on an hourly basis for actual hours worked.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Create and edit content for the City's website, social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor), newsletters, flyers, and press materials.
• Capture and document City events and programs through photography, video, and interviews.
• Assist with the scheduling and management of social media content.
• Support updates to the City's website and weekly e-newsletters.
• Participate in community outreach events, help at public meetings, and collect community feedback.
• Research and design basic visual materials for presentations and public campaigns.
• Track engagement analytics across digital platforms and compile reports to guide communication strategies.
• Conducts basic office functions such as data entry and file management.

Required Qualifications:

• Enrollment in or recent completion of a degree in communications, journalism, public relations, graphic design, public administration or a closely related field.
• Proficiency in Canva, Microsoft Office, and social media platforms.

• Ability to work in a standard office environment including ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, twist, and lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check and a pre-employment drug screen.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Flexible and adaptable with the ability to learn quickly while maintaining high quality work.
• Experience working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of basic public communications, social media, and/or media relations.
• Strong communication (written and oral), research, and organizational skills.
• Competency in basic computer programs/applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite

How to Apply

To be considered for this internship, applicants must submit a completed application, resume, and a supplemental questionnaire online at CalOpps.org before the deadline.  Deadline to apply is June 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

A limited number of applicants with the most desirable qualifications, as determined by initial screening of applications and resume, will be invited to participate in an interview. Applicants will be notified by email if they are invited to participate further in the selection process. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (925) 253-4214 or at humanresources@cityoforinda.org.

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Orinda is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex origin or disability.  In accordance with Federal law, the City of Orinda will only hire individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States.  Candidates with a disability which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process should submit a request for accommodation with the application.  Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.