Community Relations Intern - MN

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.

• Assist with updating and maintaining city, county, township, tribal nation, school district, economic development, and community organization contact databases.
• Support scheduling and coordination of meetings, community outreach events, facility tours, stakeholder briefings, and local government engagements.
• Conduct research on municipalities, local government initiatives, economic development opportunities, legislative issues, and community trends impacting Company operations.
• Assist Community Relations Managers with preparing briefing materials, presentations, meeting agendas, stakeholder profiles, and follow-up documentation.
• Support the tracking and organization of permits, franchise agreements, community projects, community investment activities, and other territory-related initiatives.
• Assist with special projects and administrative support activities that improve operational efficiency and consistency across the Minnesota Community Relations team.

This position is for a May 24, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.

• Current student, Junior or higher
• Enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Community Development, Economic Development, Urban & Regional Planning, Public Relations, Business Administration, Government Relations, Nonprofit Management, Journalism, Sociology, Marketing, General Business
• This position will support Community Relations Managers located throughout Minnesota and may require travel to communities across the state.
• Travel may include:
  Visits to Community Relations offices and service centers throughout Minnesota. Attendance at city council meetings, county board meetings, township meetings, community events, economic development meetings, and stakeholder engagements. Participation in facility tours, project meetings, conferences, and team meetings. The intern should be willing and able to travel to support Community Relations Managers across Minnesota's nine Community Relations territories and service locations.
• Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.

• Prior internship, volunteer, leadership, or work experience involving government, community engagement, public affairs, communications, customer service, or project coordination.
• Experience with stakeholder databases, CRM systems, or contact management tools.
• Knowledge of local government operations, public policy, utilities, economic development, or community planning.
• Experience creating presentations, reports, and briefing materials.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with community leaders, elected…