External Affairs Intern

American Water; Davenport (IA); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

American Water in Davenport, IA, invites you to join our External Affairs team as an intern. You will collaborate with professionals to support government affairs, business development, and policy objectives while gaining exposure to community relations activities.

You will help organize events, assist with data collection and reporting, and prepare materials for internal and external meetings. A hybrid work model (3-2) offers flexibility aligned with your manager's schedule.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science undergraduate degree program.
• Or a relevant program from an accredited school.
• Minimum of 2 years of completed coursework.

Responsibilities

• Gain firsthand experience in how water utilities support communities and ensure sustainability
• Collaborate with professionals to assist with external affairs and community relations activities, supporting government affairs, business development, and policy objective
• Support external affairs, government affairs, and business development staff.
• Organize, prepare, and execute community relations events, outreach to key external stakeholders, and special events and projects.
• Assist with data entry, collection, and analysis in support of growth opportunities, policy objectives, and corporate communications.
• Research and prepare information and reports for internal and external meetings, events, and presentations.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Independent worker

Collaborative

Detail-oriented

Technical proficiency

Education

Undergraduate degree program in Communications/Public Relations/Marketing/Public Administration/Business Administration/Political Science

Relevant program from an accredited school

Job description

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different . We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role!

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

Join American Water as an intern and explore exciting career opportunities in the water and wastewater field. As the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., American Water (NYSE: AWK) has been providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable services since 1886.

We serve over 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. Our 6,500 professionals leverage their expertise and our national scale to deliver excellent outcomes for customers, employees, investors, and stakeholders.

Why American Water?

• Growth and Investment: We plan to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure over the next decade.
• Sustainability and Community: We are committed to safety, affordability, customer service, environmental protection, workforce inclusivity, and community strengthening.
• Recognition: Featured on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, and recipients of multiple national awards.
• Learn More: Visit amwater.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Key Accountabilities

• Gain firsthand experience in how water utilities support communities and ensure sustainability
• Collaborate with professionals to assist with external affairs and community relations activities, supporting government affairs, business development, and policy objective
• Support external affairs, government affairs, and business development staff.
• Organize, prepare, and execute community relations events, outreach to key external stakeholders, and special events and projects.
• Assist with data entry, collection, and analysis in support of growth opportunities, policy objectives, and corporate communications.
• Research and prepare information and reports for internal and external meetings, events, and presentations.

Knowledge/Skills

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical Skills: Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Organizational Skills: Demonstrated organizational and administrative abilities.
• Independent Worker: Ability to work independently and manage time across multiple projects and deadlines.
• Collaborative: Seek input and coordinate with staff.
• Detail-Oriented: Conduct thorough analyses and evaluations, resulting in timely decisions and recommendations.
• Technical Proficiency: Good working knowledge of computer programs, databases, and software.

Experience/Education

• Enrollment in a Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science undergraduate degree program.
• Or a relevant program from an accredited school.
• Minimum of 2 years of completed coursework.

Other

• Active State Driver’s License with the ability to pass a motor vehicle check
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Option for a 3-2 hybrid work model to align with manager’s schedule

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they arean individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.