Communications and Community Relations Intern

Platte River Power Authority • Fort Collins, CO

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications and Community Relations Intern will support community engagement initiatives by planning, coordinating, and executing the NoCo Time Trials, a solar and battery model car competition for middle school students across Northern Colorado. The event promotes STEM education, introduces students to emerging energy technologies, and encourages exploration of future careers in the energy industry. The intern will lead planning and logistics for a large-scale community event serving approximately 400 guests with 20–25 staff members. The role also supports communications related to participant engagement, promotion, stakeholder communications, and event storytelling. It provides hands-on experience in event planning, community relations, communications, content development, and project coordination while contributing to an educational initiative and community partnerships.

The internship is expected to begin in January 2026 and conclude in June 2026. It is part-time, up to 29 hours per week, and temporary. Work is performed primarily in an office and may be eligible for a hybrid arrangement within a commutable distance of Fort Collins. Occasional attendance at planning meetings, community events, and event-related activities is required. Some physical activity may be required, including lifting and carrying light- to medium-weight materials and periods of walking and standing during event preparation and execution.

The selected candidate will gain practical experience in event planning and execution, community relations and outreach, project management and logistics, stakeholder communication, communications and promotional materials, partnership development, meeting coordination, marketing, vendor coordination, storytelling, STEM education programming, and the energy industry and noncarbon technologies.

Requirements

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work efficiently in Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and ability to coordinate complex tasks and logistics.
• Completion of two or more communications, marketing, business, public relations, or related courses at a college or university.
• Actively pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in communications, marketing, business, public relations, event management, or a related discipline; recent graduates may also be considered.

Nice To Haves

• One year of general work, volunteer, student organization, or internship experience is preferred.
• Coursework or experience in communications, marketing, public relations, business, event management, or a related field.
• Interest in STEM education, community engagement, and the energy industry.
• Experience planning events, coordinating projects, or working with community organizations.
• Experience using social media platforms in a professional, volunteer, or student organization setting.
• Experience creating written, visual, or digital communications content.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual NoCo Time Trials event.
• Coordinate event logistics, including planning, scheduling, inventory management, supply procurement, and vendor communication.
• Assist with communications and outreach related to event promotion and participant engagement.
• Support communication with students, educators, community partners, and event participants.
• Support project timelines, meeting coordination, and tracking of event-related activities.
• Support post-event evaluation, reporting, and documentation activities.
• Manage project and event budgets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed