Community Development Intern

City of La Palma; La Palma (CA); On-site; USD 13,000 - 20,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement – PARS 3.75% match

Sick Leave – 40 hours/year after 30+日

Wellness Program for all employees

Job summary

City of La Palma is offering a Community Development Intern position designed to provide hands-on learning in local government. You will assist with zoning research, plan review, data collection, public inquiries, and permit processing while supporting economic development efforts and content creation.

The internship is temporary, at‑will, and well suited for students or recent graduates pursuing municipal planning and related fields.

Qualifications

• Interest in economic development, marketing, communications, graphic design, social media, photography, video production or editing.
• Enrollment or recent graduation within the last 24 months from an accredited postsecondary institution.
• Ability to assist with data collection, reports, and basic planning tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist with economic development activities including business outreach and promotional materials.
• Support data collection, plan review, and permit processing tasks.
• Research, write and present reports on municipal topics.
• Attend community events and help with city communications and website materials.

Skills

Economic development

Marketing

Communications

Graphic design

Social media

Photography

Video production

Video editing

Education

Currently enrolled or graduated within 24 months

Tools

Video editing software

Graphic design software

Job description

Description

Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly, as the recruitment may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

The Department

The City of La Palma’s Community Development Department plays an important role in guiding the City’s development and growth. The Department works on a variety of planning, economic development, and community-related activities that help shape the future of the community.

The Internship

The Community Development Intern position is designed to provide a meaningful, hands‑on learning experience for students and individuals interested in pursuing a career in local government. The internship provides an opportunity to gain practical work experience, develop professional skills, learn about municipal operations, and apply academic knowledge in a real‑world setting.

Under the general supervision of the Community Development Director or designee, the Intern will assist with, participate in, and perform a variety of assignments related to community development and planning, including zoning research, plan review, data collection, public inquiries, and permit processing. The Intern will also support the City’s economic development efforts, including business attraction and retention, business outreach, and development of promotional materials. This internship is particularly well suited for candidates with an interest in economic development and experience or interest in video production, editing, digital media, or content creation.

The internship is intended to provide exposure to the day‑to‑day operations of a municipal Community Development Department and help prepare participants for entry‑level career opportunities upon completion of their education.

This is an at‑will, temporary internship position.

Scope of Work and Examples of Duties

• Assist with economic development activities, including business attraction and retention efforts, business outreach, research, preparation of promotional materials, and other initiatives supporting the City’s business community.
• Perform a wide variety of administrative, operational, and technical assignments to assist a City department or division and to receive on‑the‑job exposure to municipal government issues; and learn to perform various department tasks.
• Research, write, and present reports and recommendations on a variety of municipal government topics.
• Participate in conducting studies and analyses involving assigned programs and functions concerning policies, practices, procedures, financial resources, facilities, proposals, staffing, requirements for new programs and projects, effectiveness of programs, capital improvements, economic development, and related matters.
• Collect, compile, describe, organize, analyze, interpret, and present data and information related to area and issues under study.
• Assist in the coordination of data and materials for the City's website including preparing revisions and modifications as necessary.
• Relieve the receptionist as required; greet and direct walk‑in customers to appropriate City departments.
• Take and transmit messages; provide routine information on City services.
• Compile and provide information to the public on various services available through other governmental and/or social service agencies.
• Maintain a variety of records and files.
• Consult with businesses, citizens, City personnel, consultants, governmental agencies, and associations to obtain factual information and data.
• Attend community functions and events.
• Assist staff and the City Council as requested.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Desirable Qualifications

Experience or demonstrated interest in economic development, marketing, communications, graphic design, social media, photography, video production, or video editing is highly desirable.

Education And/or Experience

No formal experience is required; however, current enrollment in, or graduation within the past twenty‑four months from, an accredited postsecondary educational institution is required.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to stand or sit for extended periods, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear. The incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. In addition, the incumbent must have the ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The incumbent is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate in the field. The incumbent must have the ability to work inside, sometimes in confined spaces; ability to work closely with others; ability to work alone; ability to meet deadlines and successfully manage several conflicting demands at once.

The City’s benefits package for part‑time paid positions includes the following:

• Retirement – Part‑time employees contribute 3.75% of base pay to the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS), and the City contributes an additional 3.75%. The City does not participate in Social Security, except for the mandatory Medicare program.
• Sick Leave – Part‑time employees receive 40 hours of paid sick leave per year after completing 30 days of employment.
• Wellness Program – All employees and their dependents are eligible to participate in the City’s confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP).