Communications Fellow

The Council of State Governments; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

The Council of State Governments (CSG) in Lexington, KY, is offering a nine-month paid, part-time Communications Fellow internship. You will support design, content, and digital communications, using Canva and WordPress to produce on-brand materials, draft content, and help manage email campaigns and social media.

You will gain hands-on experience within a nonprofit, nonpartisan national organization, contributing to its communications outputs and brand consistency.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program in graphic design or related field.
• Portfolio or sample work demonstrating design or content skills.
• Familiarity with Canva; Adobe templates preferred.
• Strong writing, proofreading and editing skills.
• Experience with WordPress, email marketing platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist with development and maintenance of templates for communications and event materials.
• Organize and maintain design files, photographs, logos, templates and other digital assets.
• Update CSG websites using WordPress as assigned.
• Draft and edit short-form content for email, social media, web, and print materials.
• Support build, testing and distribution of email newsletters via the CSG platform.
• Schedule and publish social media content and develop accompanying graphics and copy.
• Collaborate with Communications and External Affairs team and other departments on projects.
• Participate in department meetings and creative reviews.

Skills

Writing

Proofreading

Editing

Collaboration

Time management

Independence

Education

Graphic design or related field education

Tools

Canva

WordPress

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Job description

The Council of State Governments (CSG) is the nation's only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem‑solving partnerships. To learn more about CSG please visit our website at www.csg.org. To learn more about careers at CSG, and about our comprehensive benefit offerings, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, PSLF eligibility and more, please visit our website here.

This is a nine-month paid, part-time internship position compensated at $15 per hour.

Job Summary

The CSG Communications Fellow would support the Communications and External Affairs team across design, content and digital communications. The fellow will use Canva and Adobe templates to participate in producing on‑brand visual materials, draft and edit short‑form content, build and send email communications, and support social media content. The fellow will gain hands‑on, well‑rounded experience across the core functions of an in‑house communications team, working within an established organizational brand and contributing to a national, nonpartisan organization's communications products.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Assist with the development and maintenance of templates for commonly used communications and event materials.
• Organize and maintain design files, photographs, logos, templates and other digital assets.
• Make routine content and visual updates to CSG websites using WordPress, as assigned by the web designer.
• Draft, adapt and proofread short‑form content for email, social media, web updates and print materials based on direction and source materials provided by CSG staff.
• Support the build, testing and distribution of email newsletters and communications using the CSG email platform.
• Schedule and publish social media content and develop accompanying graphics and copy from approved source materials.
• Collaborate with members of the Communications and External Affairs team and other CSG departments to complete assigned projects.
• Participate in department meetings and creative review processes.

Skills And Abilities

• Enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program, preferably in graphic design, visual communications, digital media, journalism, communications, marketing or a related field.
• Examples of design or content work (a portfolio, class projects, social media samples, writing samples or similar) demonstrating relevant skills.
• Comfort working in Canva required; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite templates (Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign) preferred.
• Familiarity with WordPress, video editing, or digital accessibility is a plus.
• Strong writing, proofreading and editing skills, with comfort working from source materials and outlines.
• Familiarity with email marketing platforms (such as Mailchimp or Constant Contact) is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• An interest in public service, public policy or nonprofit communications is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills including self‑awareness, sensitivity and valuing others.
• Dedication to public service with an unfailing commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan in performing CSG duties, and be a responsible steward of member and donor funds.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Equal Employment Opportunity employer (veterans/individuals with disabilities).