Intern - Digital Media

City of Lancaster, PA; Lancaster, Northern (Lancaster County, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Academic credit possible

Job summary

The City of Lancaster, PA is seeking a Digital Media Intern to support the Mayor’s Office communications and public engagement. You will create short-form video and visual content that tells the city’s story clearly and accessibly for residents.

This role is ideal for students in digital media, journalism, or public service aiming to gain hands-on experience within local government. Responsibilities include planning, shooting, and editing content for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in communications, media studies, journalism, marketing, film/video, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Plan, shoot, and edit short-form video content for City platforms.
• Capture video and photos at events, press conferences, and community meetings.
• Edit content into concise, engaging videos for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook.
• Add captions, on-screen text, and basic graphics for clarity and accessibility.
• Assist with content planning and brainstorm story ideas highlighting City initiatives and employees.
• Organize and maintain a library of photos and video assets.
• Support the Mayor’s Office communications team with other digital media tasks as needed.

Skills

Short-form video

Video editing

Social media content

Storytelling

Spanish language

Team collaboration

Education

Undergraduate student in communications/related field

Tools

CapCut

Edits

Adobe Premiere Pro

Final Cut Pro

Job description

The City of Lancaster is seeking a creative and motivated Digital Media Intern to support the Mayor’s Office communications and public engagement efforts. This intern will focus on creating short-form video and visual content that helps tell the story of the City of Lancaster’s work in a clear, engaging, and resident-friendly way. This role is ideal for a student interested in digital media, communication, journalism, marketing, or public service who wants hands‑on experience creating content for real audiences in a local government setting.

• Plan, shoot, and edit short-form video content for the City of Lancaster’s digital platforms
• Capture video and photos at City events, press conferences, community meetings, and other public spaces
• Edit content into concise, accessible, and engaging videos suitable for platforms such as Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook
• Add captions, on-screen text, and basic graphics to improve clarity and accessibility
• Assist with content planning and brainstorming story ideas that highlight City initiatives, services, and employees
• Organize and maintain a library of photos and video assets
• Support the Mayor’s Office communications team with other digital media tasks as needed

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program (communication, media studies, journalism, marketing, film/video, or a related field)
• Demonstrated interest in short-form video and digital storytelling
• Experience creating content for social media platforms
• Experience shooting and editing video using a smartphone or camera
• Comfort using video editing tools (e.g., Edits, CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with captioning and accessibility best practices
• Basic graphic design or motion graphics experience
• Photography skills
• Ability to write concise, clear captions or scripts
• Ability to read/write/speak Spanish

• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Interest in public service and local government communications
• Proven ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate successfully with others
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changed situations and to show flexibility in making improvements in work processes and operations
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and to continuous improvement
• Commitment to equity and the City of Lancaster’s Core Values (Quality, Teamwork, Integrity, Respect)

Learning Opportunities

• Digital communications in a Mayor’s Office
• Short-form video production for public-sector audiences
• Covering events and initiatives in a municipal environment
• Working within brand, legal, and accessibility guidelines
• Understanding how local government communicates with residents

Compensation

• $15/hour, up to 130 hours
• Not eligible for benefits
• The City will work with the intern’s college advisors to aid the intern in receiving academic credit for the internship experience