Description
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is thrilled to offer a paid internship that provides students and recent graduates with practical work experience and the opportunity to build valuable relationships with industry experts and colleagues. As an intern with the Government and Public Affairs Division, you will be an integral part of our team, supporting our organization through various administrative and technical tasks in regional planning, legislative analysis, and strategic communication. From conducting in-depth research to crafting compelling reports and delivering impactful presentations, you will have the chance to make an impact within the Southern California region.
SCAG is seeking two interns in the Government and Public Affairs Division, supporting our Legislation and Media and Public Affairs departments.
Legislation The Legislation intern will assist with a variety of projects and tasks in the Legislation Department. Principally this includes the letters program with which SCAG prepares letters that support member jurisdictions’ and stakeholders’ applications for state and federal grant programs. The intern will also analyze proposed Federal and State legislation, assessing the impact of the legislation on SCAG’s legislative priorities and programs. Additionally, the Intern will provide staff support for the Legislative/ Communications & Membership Committee (LCMC) by helping to prepare staff reports and attending internal and external meetings. The intern will assist the department in drafting various materials such as letters, fact sheets, analyses, reports, and more.
In addition, the Legislation intern should expect to assist in the Legislation Department’s efforts to provides input and feedback to Congressional lawmakers, the Administration, and federal agency officials concerning the broad spectrum of SCAG-related planning and policy issues. In state legislative matters, the Legislation intern should expect to support SCAG’s efforts to advocate for programs that help local agencies implement projects and strategies that achieve greenhouse gas reduction, consistent with SCAG’s Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, and that promote stabile and robust transportation funding for local governmental and transportation agencies to meet the needs of an ever-growing region. Office support functions, including file maintenance, developing excel sheets, and legislative tracking will also be part of the Intern’s responsibilities.
Media and Public Affairs The Media and Public Affairs content intern will play a vital role in the department’s operations, contributing to various aspects of communication and outreach efforts. In addition to updating and maintaining web content to ensure accuracy and relevance, they will be assisting with the development and updating of SCAG collateral, such as factsheets and PowerPoint presentations. Additionally, the intern will assist with preparing signature events and ensuring the creation of visually appealing and impactful materials that effectively communicate key information. The intern will support the operations of the Content & Channels team, contributing to the overall workflow of the agency’s graphic designers. They will be responsible for Customer Relationship Management updates, assisting with social media posts, building and scheduling emails, and taking on other entry-level special assignments as needed.
SCAG’s Media and Public Affairs Department performs many key functions for the agency, such as deploying strategic communications to further agency priorities and foster public understanding of long-range regional planning. The department aims to produce clear and consistent communications, media, and promotional campaigns that exemplify agency values and standards and enhance the SCAG brand as a respected and influential voice for the region by increasing awareness of agency’s work and purpose.
Internships will begin approximately mid-July and will be limited to a maximum of 29 hours a week for the duration of the internship (499 hours). Interns are expected to work at least 15 hours per week.
SCAG is deeply committed to embodying the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and advancing racial equity throughout the Southern California region. SCAG encourages applications by members of all underrepresented groups.
WHO WE ARE As a mission-driven organization, SCAG is committed to attracting and retaining talent who embody SCAG’s values. SCAG's workforce is passionate and committed to innovation that improves the quality of life for all Southern Californians. When you join SCAG, you can expect a culture where collaboration and teamwork is fostered.
SCAG operates as a hybrid organization because we recognize that work can be successfully performed in various locations. Designing a work environment and culture where SCAG’s mission, effectiveness, and collaboration can be more flexibly served demonstrates our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) by supporting work-life balance for our employees, retaining our existing dedicated staff, and increasing access to new talent pools.
As part of our Work@SCAG hybrid approach, employees’ eligibility in the three work models (office, hybrid, remote) will depend on the department, position, responsibilities, and duties at the discretion of management. All work models require employees to work from a location based within the SCAG region. This position is expected to be in the office one day per week and when the relevant business unit meets.
WHAT WE BELIEVE MISSION To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.
VISION Southern California's Catalyst for a Brighter Future.
SCAG CORE VALUES - Be Open: Be accessible, candid, collaborative and transparent in the work we do.
- Lead by Example: Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
- Make an Impact: In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
- Be Courageous: Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.
In this role you can expect to
Legislation - Assist with the Legislation Departments letters program which provides member jurisdictions and stakeholders with letters in support of grant program applications.
- Assist in analyzing proposed Federal and State legislation and their impact on department legislative priorities and programs.
- Provide staff support for the LCMC by helping prepare staff reports and attending meetings.
- Assist the department with drafting letters, fact sheets, analyses, reports, and other materials.
- Assist with office support functions, such as maintaining files and trackers.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Media and Public Affairs - Develop and schedule emails for newsletters.
- Research contacts and update the contact database.
- Develop content for various outreach channels for SCAG programs.
- Design and present new social media campaign ideas.
- Create and compile content to be posted on the SCAG intranet.
- Support the planning and hosting of signature events.
- Measure and report on the results of communications and outreach efforts.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What you'll bring to this role
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An undergraduate or graduate student who is currently enrolled in a university or community college taking classes toward a Business, Communications, English, Government, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism degree or other related fields, or who has graduated within the previous 24 months.
We'll be a great match if you have:- Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Knowledge of state and federal legislative organization, operations, processes, and procedures, including legislative publications and principles of legislative record keeping.
- Familiarity with journalism principles, including standard format, AP style rules, grammar, and spelling, as well as editorial styles and English composition.
- Proficiency in letter-writing and communication principles, practices, methods, and techniques, including marketing and media principles and concepts, public relations, media advocacy, and community affairs.
- Understanding of project management principles and practices, including research and report preparation methods and procedures.
- Proficiency in using software such as Windows, Microsoft Office Suite, MailChimp, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
- Knowledge of sources of information related to a broad range of outreach and communications programs and services.
- Familiarity with modern office procedures, methods, computer software, and hardware, including basic principles and procedures of record keeping.
- Basic knowledge of mathematics principles.
- Proficiency in English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
Supplemental Information
Important Applicant Information: Please note this posting will remain open until May 22, 2024, with the first application review taking place on May 8, 2024. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to that date. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in five weeks.
Transit Reimbursement Program SCAG reimburses up to $230 per month for commute to the office via public transit via bus, rail, or train.Employees must commute a minimum of 8 days per month in order to receive reimbursement for monthly passes.
Flexible Time/Modified Work Week/Telework SCAG offers a flexible work schedule to allow employees some flexibility on daily work hours. SCAG has developed a hybrid workforce program called Work@SCAG to provide three work model options (office, hybrid, and remote) to choose from, based on their position, within the SCAG Region.
Technology Allowance Employees in hybrid and remote work models will receive a one-time stipend of $300 to be used for remote office setup.In addition, all employees receive a $140 monthly technology allowance to cover phone usage for business use and to offset utilities costs while working remotely.
Closing Date/Time: 5/22/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
