Intern – Public Affairs and Media

North Central Texas Council of Governments • Internship • Arlington, Texas, United States • $17.10 / hour • 1m ago

Are you looking to join an award-winning organization with a culture built on innovation and public service? The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth region, which is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States.

The Transportation Department of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is seeking an Intern with good written and verbal communication skills to support the Transportation Department’s publications and media relations efforts. Typical initiatives include assisting with the development of publications and media relations, monitoring transportation news, assisting with web content development, researching best practices in print and electronic communication and assisting with community outreach activities. Applicants wishing to be considered for this position should apply online at https://www.nctcog.org/Careers. All submittals should include a cover letter summarizing career objectives, as well as a current resume.

Ideal candidates should attend school in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and be able to work at least 20 hours per week.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Working with supervisor to draft and edit content for department publications, social media platforms and webpages
Supporting departmental communications initiatives such as the Topic of the Month and other outreach campaigns
Assisting with media relations activities, including drafting for supervisor review press releases and media pitches, maintaining media contact lists, and monitoring transportation-related news coverage
Supporting website content updates, including basic webpage design, quality control, and accessibility review
Working with supervisor to develop and maintain an editorial calendar for communications projects
Assisting with the research of best practices and emerging opportunities in print, digital, and online communications
Assisting with the organization and maintenance of communications assets, including the transportation library and digital files
Representing NCTCOG’s mission and goals at community events and outreach activities

Required Skills

Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook
Good communication, both verbal and written, and interpersonal skills, with ability to listen to instructions, coordinate with other team members, and present ideas
Detail oriented, highly organized, creative, with an ability to handle multiple assignments/tasks and work well in a deadline-driven environment without diminishing quality of work
Knowledge of Publisher, Teams, HTML and content management systems preferred
Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Required Education and Experience

Must be attending an accredited college or university in a degree-seeking program during employment
No work experience required
At least one year of school-related experience

Starting Salary

Minimum of $17.10 per hour

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is a voluntary association of, by and for local governments, and was established to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG's purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions. Since 1974, the North Central Texas Council of Governments has served as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for transportation in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area and is responsible for developing transportation plans and programs that address the complex needs of the rapidly growing area. The planning area for transportation includes the 12 counties of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Wise.

The agency offers generous benefits, a friendly atmosphere with open communications for cooperative decision making, and challenging opportunities. The environment encourages both individual and team growth, responsibility and innovation.

NCTCOG is recognized as a military-friendly employer and values the knowledge, experience, and skills acquired during a military service career. All qualified veterans are invited to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

NCTCOG is an equal opportunity employer/program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other classifications covered under federal, state, or local laws. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Background Check & Drug Testing:

All selected candidates must undergo a pre-employment background check and drug screening. Background checks include national criminal background check, employment history, motor vehicle record check, social security verification, education verification, and other elements as needed. NCTCOG is committed to a safe and drug free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing. All new hires are required to undergo a drug test which detects the presence of illegal drugs for months prior to testing. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping NCTCOG safe and drug free. In order to receive an offer of employment from NCTCOG, selected candidates must successfully pass the pre-employment background check and drug screening.

E-Verify:

The North Central Texas Council of Governments participates in the federal E-Verify program in order to verify a new employee's authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

Statement Concerning Employment in a Job Not Covered by Social Security:

• NCTCOG participates in a defined contribution plan as an alternative to Social Security. NCTCOG offers mandatory and elective retirement plans that have been developed specifically for public-sector retirement plan participants.

• Be advised if you are hired by NCTCOG, your earnings from this job are not covered under Social Security (i.e., you will not pay Social Security taxes). This means that you will not earn credits for Social Security retirement or disability benefits in this job. If you retire or become disabled, and you are eligible for a Social Security benefit based on other work, your earnings from this job will not be used to compute your Social Security benefit. Your earnings from this job are subject to Medicare taxes and will count for purposes of the Medicare program. For more information on how you may qualify for Social Security benefits, visit www.ssa.gov.

Job postings are kept open for a minimum of 10 calendar days and may close anytime thereafter at the discretion of the hiring manager.