Communications Intern

About Maple Grove, MN

Maple Grove is a forward-thinking, thriving community in the northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We are home to over 73,000 residents with a projected population of 90,000 by 2040 with 2,500 acres of undeveloped land. The City of Maple Grove is proud to employ over 300 benefit-earning employees, 500+ part-time, casual, temporary, seasonal employees, and 100 paid-on-call firefighters to staff our many departments.

We provide public safety, public works, community and economic development, parks & recreation, and many other important public services to a growing community.

The Position

The City of Maple Grove is seeking a communications intern! This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the communications field while working with a very active and growing community. The intern will work with the communications coordinator on city communication activities, including the website, social media, and various projects. The position also includes managing the various aspects of the city's annual photography contest.  

You will be challenged to create effective and engaging graphic designs and write for various communications channels. As the communications intern, you will learn about the day-to-day operations communications plays in a local government. This internship is an outstanding opportunity to further yourself professionally and gain valuable experience; come and join our growing and diverse community!

Approximately 20 hours per week during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) from May to mid-August.

Hiring Timeline

* subject to change
* Application Window Closes
- Will be open until filled

Interviews
- February/March

Background check - February/March

Anticipated Start date -  May

* Manages and monitors the various aspects of the city's annual photography contest, including contest promotion, with guidance from the communications coordinator.

* Reviews and works on city website content with an eye to maintaining citywide writing standards and necessary compliance.

* Assists with developing, managing, and monitoring the city's social media content.

* Provides effective, attractive graphic design for communications materials.

* Creates content for various communications channels, including city newsletter -, social media, website, digital display, news releases, video messaging, and email.

* Works with communications coordinator to ensure citywide writing standards are followed in city communications (both internal and external).

* Perform other duties as directed.

* It is the intern's responsibility to seek possible credit for this internship

* Coordinates efforts to ensure City of Maple Grove is an equitable, inclusive, and respectful organization and supports the City's mission, vision, and core values.

* Demonstrates ability to understand and respect the diversity of customers and co-workers, effectively communicating with individuals whose first language may be one other than English.

Knowledge &

Skills:

* Knowledge of and experience with website content management.

* Skilled in proper grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.

Ability to:

* Well-organized with the ability to work on several projects simultaneously.

* Effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

* Deal tactfully and effectively with the general public, elected officials, staff, and outside agencies.

* Work quickly and accurately with great attention to detail and an eye for consistency.

* Work independently, providing self-direction.

Any combination of experience that would likely provide the required knowledge is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Need to have:

* Completed at least two years of an accredited communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or English program.

Nice to have:

* Working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, English, or a related field.

* Strong skills in the use of computer equipment and Microsoft platforms (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).

* Strong skills and experience with various social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram.

* Solid experience with graphic design (Canva).

* Working knowledge of photography.

* Knowledge of AP style guidelines and/or plain language.

* Knowledge of public relations and marketing techniques.

* Knowledge of digital accessibility and ADA compliance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:

Office environment, prolonged periods of sitting and standing, most time spent indoors.

Physical Conditions:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting indoors for prolonged periods of time.