Internship- Communications

About the role

The Division of Solid Waste and Recycling is seeking a Communications Student Intern for the Fall 2026 semester. The intern will 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.

Responsibilities

• Conduct curbside bin audits to assess recycling habits, identify contamination types, and analyze trends across different neighborhoods
• Collaborate with the Communications Manager to develop targeted, data-driven outreach strategies based on data from bin audits
• Attend and represent the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling at community events, engaging residents and answering questions about recycling and waste reduction
• Create compelling social media content and posts to promote recycling education, waste reduction tips, and division initiatives
• Work with the Communications Manager to enhance curriculum materials and develop new tools for school-based recycling and waste-education programs
• Develop creative outreach strategies and identify meaningful opportunities within the community to more effectively reach and educate residents about the importance of recycling and waste reduction for both the environment and the community
• Attend workshops, meetings and learning opportunities
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Enrolled in a college or university pursuing a degree in Communications, Environmental Studies, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Visual Arts 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

Qualifications

• A strong writing skills to support a range of content, including website copy, social media, and email communications
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to compile, prepare and present clear, concise and accurate reports, forms, letters, and record
• Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
• Ability to use graphic principles to create original online/print marketing materials
• Ability to effectively organize work, establish priorities, manage time effectively and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to be flexible, act as a team player and provide quality internal and external customer service
• Ability to solve problems and to develop solutions and strategies
• Ability to research and provide data
• Ability to exercise sound technical judgment in the performance of assigned duties
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, business representatives, and members of the public
• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and email software (e.g. MS Office Suite)

Skills

• Knowledge of design, marketing, communication and social media software, tools and platforms
• Working knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of informational and public relations writing, and of related media relationships, marketing and graphic arts design and production
• Strong writing skills to support a range of content, including website copy, social media, and email communications
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to compile, prepare and present clear, concise and accurate reports, forms, letters, and record
• Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
• Ability to use graphic principles to create original online/print marketing materials
• Ability to effectively organize work, establish priorities, manage time effectively and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to be flexible, act as a team player and provide quality internal and external customer service
• Ability to solve problems and to develop solutions and strategies
• Ability to research and provide data
• Ability to exercise sound technical judgment in the performance of assigned duties
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, business representatives, and members of the public
• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and email software (e.g. MS Office Suite)

Benefits

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

Pay

This internship is part-time at a minimum of 12 hours per week and 4 hours per scheduled workday with a maximum of 30 hours per week and does not include benefits. Please select “Yes” to confirm that you understand and agree to these employment hours. If you are not able to commit to the hours outlined, please end your application submission now and revisit the Frederick County job opportunities webpage to explore other available positions.

Schedule

This internship offers a maximum of 240 hours over the course of the semester in which hired for. Please select “Yes” to confirm that you understand and agree to this employment status. If you require more than 240 hours, please end your application submission now and revisit the Frederick County job opportunities webpage to explore other available positions.