THORPE INTERN TRANSIT - COMMUNITY OUTREACH presso Town of Chapel Hill, NC

About the Department

As a Marketing and Communications Intern, you will have the opportunity to work with the Chapel Hill Transit leadership team and gain valuable skills in the areas of communications, marketing, event planning, customer experience, advertising, recruitment, and employee engagement; as well as the opportunity to develop skills relevant to the field of public service. Your most important qualifications are dynamic energy, personal initiative, and fearless creativity. The preferred candidate demonstrates a strong interest in public service and a local government career. The intern reports to the Community Outreach Manager and is a member of the Transit Department.

Background

Thorpe Undergraduate Internships

This internship program is named for former Chapel Hill Council Member Bill Thorpe, who served the Chapel Hill community for nearly 40 years. Mr. Thorpe was first elected to the Town Council from 1977 to 1981. He was elected to serve another term from 1983 to 1987 and again in 2005. He served as Mayor Pro Tem from 1985 to 1987. Thorpe passed away on September 27, 2008. 

In 2006, Council Member Thorpe initiated the Town's first paid undergraduate internship program to encourage student participation in the Town and community. In 2009, the Town of Chapel Hill officially named the program the "Bill Thorpe Undergraduate Internship Program" to honor him. The Thorpe Internship program is funded annually through the Town of Chapel Hill's budget process and offers undergraduate internship opportunities during the spring and fall semesters.

Thorpe interns earn an hourly wage over one or two semesters; maximum compensation equals $2500.00. Each department sets hours and other requirements and will be included in the job posting.

To be considered for an undergraduate internship position with the Town of Chapel Hill, candidates must:

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate program from an accredited college or university.
• Possess good oral and written communication skills.
• Be proficient with computers and software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Be eager to learn and able to work independently.

Position Duties

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

- Create and distribute necessary communications for Chapel Hill Transit customers

- Create engaging content for social media platforms

- Plan and execute internal employee engagement and external customer experience events

- Manage the inventory of marketing assets

- Analyze customer feedback data and explore options for performance improvement

Your work will be at Chapel Hill Transit headquarters; around Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and UNC campus; and, some remote work is possible. A valid driver’s license is helpful but not required.

Candidates should have availability to work about 10-15 hours a week, from Monday through Friday, between 8:00am and 5:00pm.

The intern will have opportunities for professional growth and discretion to chose their work projects as the internship progresses.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for an undergraduate internship position with the Town of Chapel Hill, candidates must:

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate program from an accredited college or university.