THORPE UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP

Town-of-Chapel-Hill,-N; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 2,841,000 - 4,047,000; Part time

Job summary

The Town of Chapel Hill is seeking undergraduates for a paid internship in local government. The role provides hands-on exposure to public service operations, with mentors and meaningful projects. Hours average 12–15 per week, Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm, and the position is temporary with a $20/hour rate and a $2,500 cap.

Background check required. Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program, possess strong communication, and be proficient with MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an undergraduate program from an accredited college or university.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Eager to learn and able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Assist with special projects and data analysis.
• Conduct research and surveys.
• Create correspondence and reports.
• Perform clerical tasks (data entry, filing, copying).
• Support public service operations.
• Assist with department scheduling.

Skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

Undergraduate student

Job description

This internship will give students meaningful exposure to professional pathways within a local government environment, allowing them to explore career fields aligned with their interests. We are seeking motivated, curious, and responsible undergraduate students to join our team. This role offers hands‑on experience supporting public service operations in a high‑impact, mission‑driven environment. Interns will work alongside experienced professionals and contribute to meaningful projects that support the Town's daily functions.

• This position is classified as temporary and does not qualify for benefits.
• Temporary employees are limited to working 950 hours in a 12-month period.
• Each intern will be paid an hourly rate of $20.00 per hour up to $2,500 (2 semester max).
• Applicants must be able to successfully complete all pre‑employment requirements, including a background check and drug screening.

Interns will work an average of 12 to 15 hours per week depending on the schedules and needs of the department. Each department can be flexible depending on the availability of the student, but hours will generally fall between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Some of the tasks that interns will be involved in will include:

• Managing special projects
• Research
• Data analysis
• Creating correspondence
• Conducting surveys
• Clerical work including data entry tasks, filing, copying, etc.

To be considered for an internship position with the Town of Chapel Hill, candidates must:

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate program from an accredited college or university
• Possess good oral and written communication skills
• Be proficient with computers and software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Be eager to learn and able to work independently