Communications Intern

Center for Nonprofit Excellence; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Cell phone reimbursement

Travel Expenses / Transit benefits

Job summary

The Coalition for Smarter Growth is seeking a Communications Intern for a part-time hybrid role in Washington, DC, offering 16 hours per week with some in-office work near McPherson and Metro Center. You will assist with social media, visuals, media lists, and event publicity, gaining nonprofit content creation and digital communications experience.

The role reports to the Communications Director and supports campaigns, monitoring engagement, updating press lists, and expanding influencer

Qualifications

• Commitment to CSG’s core values, mission and vision, and positive outlook and passion for winning change.
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to draft clear and compelling messages.
• Organizational skills, with attention to detail and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• With supervisor’s guidance, draft content for social media, including visuals.
• Work with the communications director and policy staff, and assist in developing messaging for campaigns.
• Monitor engagement, track performance across different platforms, and compile analytics reports.
• Research media contacts and help update our press list.
• Research influencers in the space and help update our influencers list.
• Participate in campaign strategy sessions.
• Attend events like happy hours and walking tours to support content creation.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Pursuing a degree in communications, marketing, journalism

Tools

Canva

Adobe

Job description

Salary Range This position is a part-time, non-exempt / hourly position, with minimal fringe benefits. CSG pays our interns the DC minimum wage $18.40 per hour.

Communications Intern
Supervisor: Communications Director
Location: Hybrid, part-time – 16 hours per week in person at 1350 I Street, NW, Suite 425, Washington, DC 20005
Job Classification: Part-Time (minimal benefits), Internship, Non-Exempt (hourly)

About CSG

Join an award-winning non-profit in the Washington, DC region with a record of success. The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington, D.C. region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. CSG is a division of the Piedmont Environmental Council. For over 29 years, CSG has advocated for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, D.C. region to grow and provide opportunities for all. Read more about our organization at smartergrowth.net and view our Blueprint for a Better Region.

Your Role

This is a part-time hybrid opportunity, with one to two days per week in the office close to McPherson and Metro Center Metro stations. Rare evening or weekend work to support in-person and online events. Desired commitment: 16 hours per week

The communications intern has a passion for positive change and is tasked with supporting external communications with a focus on social media, visuals, media-list building, and event publicity, helping achieve the vision of our Blueprint for a Better Region, while gaining hands-on experience in non-profit content creation and digital communications.

1. Help elevate CSG’s digital presence and campaign engagement
2. Help expand our media and influencer outreach
3. Support event coverage and community building

You will gain highly applicable skills in policy-oriented and non-profit media, and work in a positive environment with lots of networking opportunities and fun outings.

Office Location

This position will be based out of CSG’s office in Washington, DC at 1350 I Street NW, Suite 425, Washington, DC 20005, and in a hybrid manner to be decided jointly with their supervisor. CSG’s hybrid work policy includes one to two days per week in the office, adjusted for attendance at external meetings and events. This position may require travel within CSG’s service area in the DC region. Periodic evening and weekend work for meetings and events, and matched with reasonable flexibility during the week.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2026

Desired start date: October 5, 2026 for the fall of 2026, with option for CSG to offer you an extension to May 31, 2026.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested. If you have any questions or concerns, please email [e-mail].

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.

Job Duties

Key Responsibilities

The Communications Intern will report to CSG’s Communications Director. Examples of responsibilities and activities include:

• With supervisor’s guidance, draft content for social media, including visuals
• Work with the communications director and policy staff, and assist in developing messaging for campaigns
• Monitor engagement, track performance across different platforms, and compile analytics reports
• Research media contacts and help update our press list
• Research influencers in the space and help update our influencers list
• Participate in campaign strategy sessions
• Attend events like happy hours and walking tours to support content creation

Skills Required

Required Qualifications

• Commitment to CSG’s core values, mission and vision, and positive outlook and passion for winning change
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to draft clear and compelling messages
• Organizational skills, with attention to detail and deadlines
• Ability to work on several projects simultaneously, at varying stages of production
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative abilities, including the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and work styles

Preferred Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field
• Interest in policy, especially at the local and regional levels. Interest in smart growth, urbanism, housing, transportation, land use, and conservation issues in the DC area
• Experience with design tools like Canva or Adobe
• Familiarity with social media platforms
• Interest in storytelling and media relations
• Some photography and video skills

Work Schedule

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position will be completed in both an office environment and the outdoors. Office work requires extended sitting or standing and the use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse, and occasional lifting of boxes up to 30 lbs. Walking tours involve physical activity and observance of safety protocols due to road traffic. Due to the public-facing nature of PEC’s mission and community events, employees may occasionally be photographed, filmed, or quoted for use in organization publications, promotional materials, social media, and website content.

Additional Info

Part-time or seasonal employees generally receive minimal fringe benefits, including:

• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedule.
• Cell phone reimbursement, up to $75 per month
• Travel Expenses / Mileage Reimbursement / Transit trips to meetings
• Pre-tax transit commute benefit

The Piedmont Environmental Council, recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.