Internship- Civic Engagement

About the role

The County Executive's Office is looking for a Civic Engagement Student Intern to join our team for the Fall 2026 semester. Time Commitment: Work a minimum of 12 hours per week and 4 hours per scheduled workday through the stated specific end date; maximum of 30 hours per week; varied days and hours of Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with some weekends and evenings; maximum total of 240 hours over the course of the semester; non-exempt; part-time; no-benefits.

Internship Details

The Office of the County Executive is offering a unique and high-impact opportunity for individuals interested in public service and local government. In this role, you’ll work closely with senior officials and staff to support constituent services, assist with stakeholder engagement, and contribute to initiatives that shape policy and strengthen our community. This internship provides a behind-the-scenes look at how local government operates while giving you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Frederick County residents.

Essential Duties And Job Responsibilities

• Stakeholder engagement support: Assist in facilitating open meetings by taking detailed notes, conducting roll calls, ensuring compliance with the Open Meetings Act and related transparency requirements, track action items and summarize follow-up needs to support effective decision-making
• Research and analysis: Research best practices and policies used by other jurisdictions, synthesize findings, and develop clear policy memos to inform decision-making
• Administrative functions: Work closely with office staff to prepare meeting spaces, compile and organize briefing materials, and maintain up-to-date public-facing digital tools and resources
• Constituent services: Support front-desk operations by answering constituent calls, assessing needs, and guiding residents to the appropriate county programs and services with professionalism and clarity
• Project support: Assist with managing special projects using project management skills, including researching background information, organizing timelines, and coordinating deliverables and participate in cross-department collaboration by helping coordinate joint initiatives, events, or outreach efforts
• Attend workshops, meetings and learning opportunities
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications And Requirements

• Enrolled in a college or university pursuing a degree in Business Administration, Business Management, Communications, Economics, Pre-Law, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Sciences or a closely related field
• Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher. A college transcript is required as evidence of GPA. A copy of an unofficial transcript will be accepted

Reasonable Accommodations

The Office of the County Executive is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources.