What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Intern position at City of Maple Grove?
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 70,000 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 250 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 Communications Intern will work with the Communications Coordinator to review and manage the city website and social media accounts as well as various projects, including the city's annual photo contest. As the Communications Intern, you will learn about the day-to-day operations communications plays in a local government. You will be challenged to create effective/attractive graphic designs and writing for various communications channels. This internship is an outstanding opportunity to further yourself professionally and gain valuable experience; come and join our growing and diverse community!- 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
- Suggests ideas for engaging content.
- Provides effective, attractive graphic design for communications materials that are produced in-house.
- Writes for various communications channels, including city newsletter and residents’ guide, 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).
- Assist with events the Administration Department may be directly involved in and other meetings/activities as deemed appropriate.
- Perform other duties as directed.
- It is the intern’s responsibility to seek possible credit for this internship.
- Coordinates efforts to ensure the 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 of and experience with website content management.
- Skilled in proper grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.
- Multitask and stay organized while working on multiple projects.
- 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.
Need to have:
- Must 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.
- Experience with event planning.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
Officers with occasional needs need to work in an outdoor environment for short periods of time.
Physical Conditions:
Ability to sit and stand for prolonged periods of time.