Federal Work Study - CIC Communications Assistant (Student Wage)

uva; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) is offering a federal work-study eligible communications internship in Charlottesville. The Communications Assistant will help develop marketing materials, manage the CIC website and social channels, and create program literature while supporting fundraising efforts.

The role is hybrid, 8 hours per week at $15 per hour, onsite one day weekly. It runs Sept 21, 2026 through May 14, 2027, and UVA undergraduates with federal work-study funding are encouraged

Qualifications

• Resume and cover letter required.
• Current UVA undergraduate student; federal work‑study eligibility required.
• Experience: None
• Licensure: None

Responsibilities

• Develop marketing materials and create program literature.
• Manage CIC website and social media channels.
• Support fundraising activities and stakeholder communications.
• Assist in evaluating program metrics and communications outcomes.
• Coordinate communications with internal teams and stakeholders.
• Engage with community and entrepreneurs to amplify CIC messaging.

Skills

Curiosity/learning

Team collaboration

Marketing

Event planning

Small business

Helping low-income communities

Strong communication

Grant writing

Technology skills

Multitasking

Education

Undergraduate student

Federal work-study eligible

Tools

G Suite

Microsoft Office

Canva

Job description

Federal work-study eligible student only

In partnership with Student Financial Services Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) is recruiting for a federal work study eligible candidate to fill the position of Communications Assistant. This position will be located at 300 Preston Ave #206, Charlottesville, VA 22902. For further consideration a candidate must be receiving federal work study funding.

Organization Description

The Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) is a nonprofit organization that specializes in micro-enterprise development and offers micro-financing and business training to small and micro-enterprises in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. CIC's mission is to strengthen the community and contribute to economic development by fueling the success of under-resourced entrepreneurs through education, financing, mentoring, and networking. CIC leverages community resources to provide capital and education to entrepreneurs who have difficulty accessing funding from traditional sources and who seek an educational support system that is relevant to their business needs. CIC accomplishes this by providing loans and advisory support to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in the form of business training, one-on-one mentoring, and networking events. By supporting small business growth and expansion, CIC helps to create jobs and strengthen the local economy and community.

Overview of Opportunity

CIC is looking for a student to join its team as a Communications Assistant. Working at CIC is a unique opportunity for students to be fully involved in a local and diverse organization. Interns will gain hands‑on experience in developing marketing materials, managing the website and social media, creating program literature, evaluating the success metrics of the organization's programs and communications outreach, and researching organizational fundraising opportunities. They can be assured of having a meaningful impact on the growth and development of a local community organization that supports small businesses.

Professional Development

The Communications Assistant will experience the organic process of entrepreneurship not only through projects assigned but also through the stories and daily realities of CIC clients as they launch and grow their businesses. CIC maintains intimate relationships with its entrepreneur clients in order to ensure full support. Therefore, it will similarly have strong connections with the struggles and triumphs of business. Students will learn the art of communication through CIC's education programs and stakeholder engagement, including writing, storytelling, interviewing, designing marketing materials (Canva, Adobe Suite, etc.), and adapting messages for different audiences. They will also gain a foundation in business through training courses and hands‑on client work, such as successful fundraising strategies, community impact measurement, researching businesses, and collecting information. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to explore other areas of CIC and broaden their skills beyond communications.

Students will hone their communication skills through CIC's educational programs and stakeholder engagement and expand their knowledge of business throughout their internship.

Qualifications

• Curiosity/interest in learning
• Interest in working with others and teams
• Interest in marketing (social media, email newsletters, website management)
• Interest in event planning and coordination
• Interest in small business and entrepreneurship
• Interest in helping individuals from low-income backgrounds
• Strong communication skills
• Strong writing skills, interest in grant writing
• Strong technology skills (G Suite, Microsoft Office, Canva)
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time

Schedule

The Communications Assistant will collaborate with the Development and Communications Manager and the Chief Operating Officer will establish a mutually agreeable, required, and consistent schedule of 8hrs/wk. We request that the student work in the office at least 1 day per week.

The Communications Assistant position will be paid at $15.00 per hour with a maximum of 10 hours per week. This position is a hybrid position with 1 day per week required on site.

Position begins September 21, 2026 (or later) and ends May 14, 2027.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Resume and Cover Letter required.

Education: Current undergrad UVA student. Federal work-study eligibility required.

Experience: None

Licensure: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend shifts, meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more abo