Apply on Employer Site

NEOGOV · 19 hours ago

2026 Economic Development & Marketing/Communications Internship

Urbandale, IA

Internship

Onsite

Intern

$17K/yr - $19K/yr

Start in 2026 Spring

The City of Urbandale is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Economic Development & Marketing/Communications Intern to support City initiatives. This internship will provide a well-rounded learning experience in economic development and marketing, assisting with volunteer coordination, event planning, and promotional content creation.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

Responsibilities

Lead the Urbandale Uplift Project, the City's primary volunteer program

Recruit, organize, and coordinate volunteer teams from area businesses

Coordinate with vendors for event planning

Coordinate with area non-profit organizations

Develop and implement email campaigns

Market and advertise volunteer opportunities to Urbandale businesses and employees

Assist with updates of departmental marketing materials (profiles, flyers, etc.)

Attend occasional City, community, and industry meetings

Assist with event/meeting planning and coordination, as needed

Document volunteer participation milestones and maintain records of volunteer events

Add to database of City photos to be used for promotional materials

Respond to/assist with inquiries and complete special projects; other duties as assigned

Create and disseminate engaging photo and video content for City promotions

Update and manage the City’s media database

Collaborate with staff to promote City programs and initiatives effectively

Attends training sessions and other meetings as required

Qualification

Event planningEconomic developmentMarketing/communicationsAdobe Creative SuiteProject managementProfessional communicationSocial media knowledgePhotography/videographyTeam collaborationTime managementProblem solving

Required

Must be an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in a preferred field real estate, community/regional planning, public administration or fields of marketing/communications, meeting and event planning, social work, political science, business administration, finance, business, or related field

Recent college graduates (within 12 months of graduation date) may also be considered

Must be at least 18 years of age

Must have a valid driver's license

Must be available for the full duration of the internship (May through the end of October 2026) to be considered

Preferred

Ability to communicate professionally, in person and in writing

Ability to function effectively as a team within a larger office environment

Ability to self-direct work and be productive independently

Ability to define tasks that lead to finished high-quality work product that meets deadlines

Ability to research and identify credible sources of information

Ability to problem solve and develop solutions independently

Knowledge of event planning

Knowledge of community and neighborhood planning and redevelopment

Knowledge of economic development

Knowledge of project management

Knowledge of social networking sites

Knowledge and experience with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop

Strong proofreading, editing, organizational, verbal, and writing skills

Solid understanding of the internet and social media best practices

Fearless attitude towards technology and a willingness to learn

Strong time management skills

Proactive mindset and ability to think and work creatively and collaboratively

Must have reliable transportation

Knowledge and experience with DSLR or iPhone photography/videography

Benefits

This position is not eligible for health benefits but may be eligible for IPERS.

IPERS eligibility and participation will begin once an employee earns $1,000 or more in two consecutive quarters and will continue for the duration of employment.