First District Internship

City of Richmond

First District Councilor

Summer 2026 Internship – Communications & Strategy

Compensation: $15/hour
Schedule: 10–15 hours per week
Duration: May or June 2026 through early–mid August 2026

Description

Richmond’s Office of the First District Councilor seeks a motivated and creative Summer 2026 Intern to support communications strategy and community engagement efforts. Part-time continuation beyond the summer is possible for the right candidate if desired by both parties.

This is a paid internship designed to provide hands-on experience in public service and digital communications in a local government policy setting. The intern will work directly with the Councilor and his Liaison to strengthen our communications infrastructure and enhance engagement with constituents. We are especially seeking a candidate who can not only manage social media platforms but also build a sustainable long-term strategy that improves how the office communicates with residents.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Social Media Management & Strategy Development

• Develop and implement a sustainable social media plan that includes:
  • Weekly thematic campaigns
  • Daily engagement touchpoints
  • Content calendar and posting schedule
  • Metrics tracking and performance analysis
• Manage and enhance existing platforms (Instagram, X/Twitter, blog-style posts, and email newsletters).
• Evaluate opportunities to expand to additional platforms (e.g., TikTok or others as appropriate).
• Draft posts, graphics, and short-form video content.
• Propose a long-term communications strategy that can be maintained beyond the internship period.
• Deliver a written project plan and toolkit for continued implementation.

This role is ideal for a candidate who enjoys both creative content production and systems-level planning.

Secondary Responsibilities (Based on Interest and Skills)

Depending on the intern’s background and interests, additional duties may include one or more of the following:

• Technology & Operations Improvement
  • Research and recommend tools to improve office efficiency.
  • Explore practical uses of AI (e.g., inbox management and workflow automation).
  • Propose systems for long-term time management and productivity.
• Community Engagement
  • Assist in outreach to diverse stakeholders across the district.
  • Support event planning, community meetings, and follow-up communication.
  • Identify strategies for more inclusive and representative engagement.
• Legislative & Policy Research
  • Conduct research to support policy development and Council initiatives.
  • Prepare briefing materials on city legislation and public policy topics.
  • Analyze best practices from other localities.

Guiding Principles

The City of Richmond has embraced a set of core values that guide the internship experience:

• Customer Service: Treating everyone as we would wish to be treated.
• Employee Ownership: Understanding how one’s work connects to departmental and City goals.
• Positive Outlook: Working to meet or exceed expectations despite obstacles.
• Technical Skills: Applying knowledge and judgment effectively and efficiently.
• Leadership: Creating a positive environment that supports the City’s strategic direction.

Qualifications & Eligibility

To be considered, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program and in good academic standing.
• Be registered for courses during the internship period (summer enrollment not required if enrolled for Fall 2026).
• Have completed at least 30 credit hours (undergraduate) with a minimum 3.0 GPA, or be enrolled in a graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Provide a college transcript prior to hire.
• Be lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing social media accounts or digital campaigns.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Interest in public service, communications, political science, public policy, marketing, or related fields.
• Experience with Canva, short-form video editing, analytics tools, or newsletter platforms preferred but not required.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit a resume and should include the following.

• Academic major
• Area of professional interest
• Confirmation of eligibility under the City’s internship criteria

A cover letter is optional, but preferred.

In the cover letter, applicants are encouraged to briefly describe or include:

• Academic major
• Area of professional interest
• Confirmation of eligibility under the City’s internship criteria
• Their experience with social media or digital communications
• How they would approach building a sustainable, long-term social media strategy for a public office

Questions on the Internship or process

Contact: Grady Hart- First District City Council Liaison, grady.hart@rva.gov