Economic Development InternAt — City of Huntington Beach

City of Huntington Beach

The City of Huntington Beach Economic Development Division seeks a dynamic and motivated intern to support its mission of fostering business growth and enhancing the local economy. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in public sector economic development while contributing to impactful community initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and produce graphic content for digital and print media.
• Assist in marketing campaigns to promote events and programs.
• Update and maintain website content to ensure accurate and engaging communication.
• Provide customer service to businesses and residents, addressing inquiries and directing resources.
• Collaborate in networking activities with community stakeholders and organizations.
• Input and manage data related to key performance indicators (KPIs), programs, and projects.
• Perform general administrative tasks to support division operations.
• Support event planning, promotion, and execution.
• Contribute creative ideas to enhance the division's outreach and branding efforts.
• Other tasks as directed by the Economic Development team.

Ideal Candidate:

• Strong interest in economic development, marketing, or public administration.
• Proficiency in graphic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and website content management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

This role provides a hands-on opportunity to make a real impact in promoting Huntington Beach as a vibrant place to live, work, and play.

Tasks for Economic Development Intern
• Create graphic design materials for digital and print marketing campaigns.
• Assist in updating and managing website content to ensure accurate communication.
• Provide customer service by addressing inquiries from businesses and residents.
• Input and analyze data related to key performance indicators (KPIs) and program outcomes.
• Support event planning, promotion, and execution for community engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with team members on networking efforts with local businesses and stakeholders.
• Perform administrative tasks, including organizing materials and maintaining records.
• Contribute creative ideas to enhance marketing, outreach, and community impact strategies.

Training
The Economic Development Intern will gain valuable exposure to municipal government operations and the pivotal role of economic development in fostering a thriving community. Through hands-on projects, the intern will engage with marketing campaigns, business outreach, event coordination, and data analysis. They will interact with diverse stakeholders, including city departments, local businesses, and community organizations, gaining insights into public-private collaboration and the strategies used to support business growth, retention, and overall economic vitality.

Learning Outcomes for Economic Development Intern
1. Marketing and Outreach:
By completing the internship, the student will gain the ability to design and implement effective marketing campaigns, creating graphic design assets and managing communication strategies for city initiatives and events.
2. Website and Content Management:
Through hands-on experience, the student will develop skills in maintaining and updating website content, ensuring it is accurate, user-friendly, and engaging for the public.
3. Customer Service and Networking:
The internship will enable the student to demonstrate excellent customer service by addressing inquiries from businesses and residents, while also building professional connections through collaboration with community stakeholders.
4. Data and Administrative Skills:
During the program, the student will acquire proficiency in analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), managing data, and performing administrative tasks to support division projects and goals.
5. Event Coordination and Engagement:
By the end of the academic internship, the student will be prepared to assist in organizing, promoting, and executing community events, enhancing awareness and participation in economic development programs.