Communications Interns - News Team
Salary $12.00 Hourly
Location Portland, OR
Job Type Internship
Department Communications
Job Number 2017-2109-COMM-NT
Closing 7/6/2017 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Summary
Time commitment: 40 hours per week, six-month duration, five-day workweek preferred. These positions are open to students or any person seeking work experience in the field of communications.
Metro's communication department is seeking news team interns. The news team provides content for the agency's newsfeed, including balanced, transparent news stories and support for traditional media outreach, for Metro's website and social media channels. Additionally, we help manage web content.
Metro brings people together to shape the future of greater Portland and provides places, services and tools that work best at a regional scale. Led by an elected council, this unique government gives Oregonians a voice in parks and nature, land and transportation, garbage and recycling, and arts and event venues.
Essential Job Duties
The interns will assist with tasks and projects relating to:
content development – writing news stories, feature stories and other content for Metro's website and newsfeeds; producing photos and occasional video
interviewing – talking to sources about their role in stories and using those interviews in news content
online tools – posting content to Metro's website, newsfeeds, calendar, social media channels and other online tools
media tracking – producing weekly "Metro in the Media" tracking updates
service and support – providing frontline response to requests for website and newsfeed help from content providers
Minimum Requirements
The ideal candidates possess a strong interest in researching, distilling and translating complex and long-term issues into immediately understandable and accessible language and imagery. In coordination with policies and practices established in partnership with Metro's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program, candidates can appreciate that the future of a place is by its nature both opaque and controversial, and can appreciate that there are multiple valid viewpoints and perspectives that deserve to be heard and understood.
Candidates can appreciate and reflect on every place for the layers of history, interpretation and policy that helped create it, and have a demonstrated passion for telling the stories about what makes the greater Portland area special.
Necessary skills include interviewing, writing, social media. Beneficial skills include photography, graphic design, Drupal, media outreach. Preferred 1-2 years of marketing, journalism, or communications experience. Bachelor's degree or coursework in Communications, Planning, Journalism, Geography or a related field a plus, but not required.
To apply, submit the following along with your electronic application:
A complete resume
A completed writing assignment. Click here for writing assignment.
A cover letter that addresses:
Your career goals and how this internship would help you to achieve them
Any experience, background or coursework relevant to this position
Areas in which you are most interested in attaining skill and experience
Additional Information
We hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.
Online applications: Metro now accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-797-1570.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): New employees will pay the employee portion of the PERS contribution.
Representation/classification: This position is not represented and falls under the intern classification.
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Criminal background check: In order to protect the well being of its employees, the public and agency assets, Metro may conduct criminal background checks on candidates selected for Metro positions. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be considered on a case by case basis. A background check will only be conducted if you are selected as a finalist for a position. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted by Human Resources prior to the initiation of a background check.
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer