Are you creative, passionate about digital strategy and communications, and interested in using your skills and building your resume? Are you interested in working with a mission-driven organization dedicated to being on the leading edge of holistic public defense? Come and work with me, Special Projects Manager at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS), and assist me in implementing our digital strategy and communications. The Communications Intern will support the Special Projects Manager in the daily execution of communication initiatives, ensuring high-quality content across all platforms. This role will be integral in assisting with photography, video, graphic design, social media, website content, and promotional materials. Help me take this organization’s digital strategy and communications to the next level!

This position is flexible, Monday to Thursday, and averages 12-15 hours per week. The internship’s duration can be one semester or more. The Communications Intern position reports to PDS’s Special Projects Manager (SPM), responsible for PDS’s website, annual report, social media, photography, videos, and other priorities.

To perform this job successfully, the Communications Intern must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed will be representative of the knowledge, skills, education, training, experience, and ability required.

The Communications Intern will support the SPM and enhance the overall effectiveness of our digital strategy and communications efforts. The duties and responsibilities of the Communications Intern include:

Photography & Video Support:

• Assist the Special Projects Manager with capturing high-quality images and videos for internal and external use.
• Support in documenting key moments, events, and initiatives.
• Help with editing and optimizing content for various media channels.
  

Graphic Design:

• Assist in creating visual assets for promotional materials such as flyers, training brochures, and annual reports.
• Work closely with the Special Projects Manager on design needs for social media, websites, and internal communications.
  

Website & Intranet Content:

• Support the Special Projects Manager in updating and maintaining content on the organization’s website and intranet.
• Ensure consistency in messaging and design across digital platforms.
  

Social Media Management:

• Support the Special Projects Manager in managing and scheduling content for social media platforms.
• Assist with the creation of engaging content, including graphics, captions, and videos.
• Help analyze engagement metrics and suggest content adjustments to improve performance.
  

Promotional Materials:

• Assist the Special Projects Manager in creating promotional materials for internal and external events.
• Support with brand-aligned designs for marketing materials.
  

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Work closely with other PDS divisions and programs under the guidance of the Special Projects Manager to ensure communication efforts are aligned with organizational goals.
• Provide ad-hoc support on various communication projects as directed by the Special Projects Manager.

The ideal Communications Intern candidate attends a local undergraduate or graduate program in the Washington D.C. regional area; is pursuing a degree or relevant experience in communications, marketing, graphic design, or a related field; and has diverse educational qualifications and technical skills. These include:

• A passion for public service.
• One or more years of experience in communications or a related field (it can include personal experience, but your work must be made available to the SPM for review).
• Stellar graphic design and photography skills.
• Proficiency in graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), video editing software, and photography/videography techniques.
• Impeccable oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent internet research skills.
• Knowledge of the major social media platforms including Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
• Knowledge of analytics software including Google Analytics, to track audience engagement and campaign performance.
• Experience with content management systems, word processor applications, and image/video editing software.

To apply for this internship experience, please submit the following in a consolidated PDF to [email protected]:

1. A cover letter that includes:
a. The dates of your availability for this internship experience.
b. How your experience and education speaks to the skills and knowledge required by the position. Formerly incarcerated individuals and their family members are invited and encouraged to apply.

2. A resume that speaks to your experience with communications and digital strategy.

3. Examples of and hyperlinks to your portfolio of experience.

For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations which will be decided on a case-by-case basis. To request reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].