INTERN - SPRING 2027 - Public Relations

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office; Largo (FL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office invites Public Relations Interns to apply for a hands-on role in the Public Relations Bureau. You will help craft messages, create digital content, take photos and videos, and assist with events and community outreach to inform and engage the public.

As a student with strong writing and interpersonal skills, you will gain real-world experience while handling social media posts, content creation, and collaboration with professionals in a public safety environment.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s level program.
• Minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Flexible and able to multi-task.

Responsibilities

• Answer phones and respond to non-routine inquiries.
• Draft or review copy for agency correspondence, publications, digital content, or press releases.
• Support production of digital content including graphics, photography, and video.
• Review requests for speakers or assets and assist with coordinating special events.
• Process public education program applications and assist in managing rosters.
• Assist with public education programs, special events, and agency ceremonies.
• Support processing of promotional item requests and inventory maintenance.
• Participate in creative discussions to implement programming and communications strategies.
• Engage in sheriff's office recruitment and community relations activities as directed.

Skills

Copywriting

Digital content

Photography

Video

Social media

Event coordination

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s program

Job description

Nature of Work

Great stories connect communities. Come help us tell ours.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Public Relations Intern to join our Public Relations Bureau and trade textbook theory for real-world experience. You'll help craft the messages that keep our community informed, engaged, and connected by assisting with copywriting, digital content, photography and video, special events, public education programs, and community outreach. From drafting content to brainstorming creative ideas and helping bring agency events to life, you'll gain hands‑on exposure to the many ways public relations supports the Sheriff's Office and the community we serve.

The ideal candidate is a creative, motivated student with strong writing and interpersonal skills who enjoys turning ideas into engaging content. They are organized, comfortable juggling multiple projects, and able to work both independently and collaboratively. Whether you're helping develop a social media post, supporting an agency event, drafting written content, or contributing to a creative planning session, you'll have opportunities to put your communication skills into practice.

This internship provides the opportunity to explore multiple areas of public relations while developing practical skills in communications, digital content creation, media relations, event coordination, and community engagement. You'll work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful projects, and gain a firsthand look at how strategic communication connects a law enforcement agency with the community it serves.

Bring your ideas, your creativity, and your voice—and help us tell the stories that matter.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Bureau designee(s), the Intern will support certain functions of the Bureau. The Intern can expect exposure to multiple disciplines including copywriting, digital content creation, special event coordination, public education program management, media relations, and public records management. The Intern will have hands‑on opportunities to explore areas of interest and contribute to the following functions and responsibilities:

• Answers phones and responds to non‑routine inquiries;
• Drafts or reviews copy for agency correspondence, publications, digital content, or press releases;
• Supports the production of digital content including graphics, photography, and video;
• Reviews requests for agency speakers or assets and supports the coordination of special events;
• Processes public education program applications and assists in managing program rosters;
• Assists with public education programs, special events, and agency ceremonies;
• Supports processing of promotional item requests and maintenance of the promotional item inventory;
• Participates in creative visioning discussions to implement programming, content, and other communications strategies;
• Participates in sheriff's office recruitment and community relations activities as directed

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s level program
• Minimum 2.5 G.P.A.
• Minimum 18 years of age
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to work independently or part of a team
• Flexibility and ability to multi‑task

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

This internship is intended for students seeking practical experience in a professional public safety environment. Successful candidates should demonstrate professionalism, dependability, effective communication skills, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work collaboratively with others.

Physical Abilities

The physical abilities listed below are estimates of time spent during a typical work day to perform essential functions and responsibilities. Members in this position may be required to:

• Sit up to 8 hours per day
• Stand up to 1 hours per day
• Walk up to 1 hours per day
• Occasionally lift up to 10 lbs.
• Occasionally bend, reach, or twist

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and you may not be responsible for every item listed. The employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as necessary

This position is not eligible for benefits.