Position Description
About Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses.
SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all.
Job Responsibilities
As a Communications Intern, you will work within a creative team to support the Office of the General Manager and Community Affairs. You will have the opportunity to engage in multi-faceted storytelling and support integrated communications across the Seattle Public Utilities.
Content Creation & Storytelling
• Writing: Draft and develop stories for various utility publications.
• Multimedia Production: Cover utility events through professional photography and video.
• Visual Design: Create engaging visuals and graphics for social media and other digital communication tools.
Project & Media Support
• Public Relations: Provide support for PR initiatives and ongoing video projects.
• Digital Operations: Utilize Microsoft Office 365 and SharePoint to manage content and internal communications.
• Strategic Collaboration: Contribute as a confident team member by making creative suggestions and working independently after receiving general direction.
Learning Objectives
Through this role, you will bridge the gap between academic theory and professional communication practices. By the conclusion of this term, you will have:
• Gained first-hand experience in how professional, municipal communications teams operate.
• Improved professional writing, editing, and photography skills within a government context.
• Developed a deeper understanding of integrated communications channels and brand consistency.
• Built a professional portfolio of published work samples and digital content.
Qualifications
• Education: Currently enrolled as a Graduate Student in Communications, Public Administration, Journalism, or a closely related municipal government-focused program.
• 3.0 GPA required
• Skills: Familiarity within Microsoft Office 365, strong writing ability, photo/video production skills, and graphic design experience.
• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with SharePoint is preferred.
• Profile: A creative thinker who is eager to learn and is capable of independent project management.
Additional Information
• Schedule: 15–20 hours per week during school sessions; up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Work is flexible between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Location: Seattle Municipal Tower.
• Duration: Maximum of 2 years or until 3 months after graduation.
• Salary: The full salary range for this internship is $27.67 – 27.67 an hour.
How To Apply
To be considered for this position, you must attach the following:
• Resume clearly identifying how you meet the qualifications.
• Work Sample (e.g., writing, design, or video portfolio).
• Current Transcript (unofficial).
NOTE: All 3 documents (resume, work sample, and current transcript) are required for an application to be considered complete
Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.
