Engagement Specialist

City of Richmond•Richmond, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a paid intern position for 12 months only. The Office of Aging & Disability Services seeks a creative and detail-oriented student Intern to support communications, outreach, and strategic initiatives that improve the lives of older adults, individuals with disabilities, caregivers and their families that live in the City of Richmond. This paid internship provides hands-on experience in public service interacting with City of Richmond offices, communications, local government operations, and community engagement. The intern will play an active role in supporting implementation of the Office’s communications plan and ensuring information about programs, services, and initiatives is clear, accessible, and impactful. Hourly Rate for this position will be $20.00. This position will only be 20-25 hours a week (as needed by the department).

Requirements

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
At least one to two years of work experience in the field of Human Services
Strong writing and editing skills
Ability to synthesize information into clear, concise briefs
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace

Nice To Haves

Preferred fields: Communications, Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, Gerontology, Public Health, Marketing, or related field(s)
Experience with social media platforms and basic website editing preferred
Interest and experience in aging, disability, equity, and community-based services
Graphic design experience (Canva or similar tools)
Experience drafting policy briefs or executive summaries
Familiarity with accessibility principles (plain language, ADA considerations)

Responsibilities

Assist in implementing the Office’s communications plan
Support development and distribution of community mailers and informational materials
Draft, create, and schedule content across city platforms (constant contact, website, newsletters)
Develop and update website content to ensure timely and accessible information
Help create activities calendar, outreach materials and informational flyers for community events and resource fairs
Develop concise “opportunity briefs” for City Council members outlining program initiatives, resources, partnerships, and community impact
Conduct background research to support policy discussions and presentations
Prepare talking points, summaries, and presentation materials
Assist with event coordination and stakeholder engagement
Support data collection and reporting for performance metrics
Attend team meetings and contribute ideas for strengthening community outreach
Provide general administrative support as needed