Job Details

Salary: $21.00 - $22.95 Hourly
Location : Durham, NC
Job Type: Internship w/o benefits (Less than 1000 hours)
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-05773
Department:City Clerk
Opening Date: 12/19/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Position Description
Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hourly Rate of Pay: Hourly rate is based on the college level the individual is currently in: 1st year (Freshman) $21.00 - 2nd year (Sophomore) $21.63 - 3rd year (Junior) $22.28 - 4th year (Senior) or Graduate Student $22.95
Work Days/Hours: Up to 15 hours per week, Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (some nights and weekends)

The City Council Internship Program is designed to introduce undergraduate or graduate students to potential careers in local government policy making. The selected candidate will work within the City Council's Office on a variety of special projects and research assignments with City Council Members.
Duties/Responsibilities

• Collect data, research proposed and pending policy issues
• Prepare for and attend key committee, board, and council meetings
• Address constituent questions and issues
• Communications, including email, social media, mass media communications
• Draft and edit resolutions and policy memoranda
• Facilitate dialogue with other elected officials, city staff, other governmental jurisdictions and community partners

Knowledge and Skills

• Interest in local government issues, including but not limited to planning, zoning, housing, transportation, parks and recreation, policing, emergency services, budgets, and other related urban issues;
• Experience or interest in learning communicating through social media, branding, layout and design, Microsoft products, Adobe products, ArcGIS;
• Should have a working knowledge of city systems and agencies to support resident needs and well-being;
• Knowledge of the Durham community is preferred;
• Significant experience working with low-wealth communities.

Special Abilities

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with individuals and groups from varied cultural and socio-economic backgrounds;
• Ability to be patient, flexible, and well organized, as well as dedicated to resident and community goals;
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Candidate must be currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program, in an accredited educational program such as City Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, or related degree program
• Candidate must demonstrate strong analytical and data skills
• Candidate must demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills

Additional Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of the Durham community.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc.)

01

Where did you first hear about this opportunity?

• City of Durham Website
• Walk in
• Job fair
• Employee referral
• Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
• Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
• Craig's List
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• GlassDoor
• governmentjobs.com
• Monster.com
• Indeed.com
• Employment Security Commission
• Magazine/Newspaper
• Other

02

If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03

Please indicate your current academic year:If in-between years, please choose the year UP.

• Not a current undergraduate or graduate student
• Current Freshman (first year)
• Current Sophomore (second year)
• Current Junior (third year)
• Current Senior (fourth year)
• Current Graduate Student

04

Are you currently enrolled in an accredited educational program such as City Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, or related degree program?

• Yes
• No

05

If you are "NOT" currently enrolled in an accredited educational program what related degree program are you enrolled in? If your degree is not related, indicate N/A.
06

Have you conducted research about local government issues?

• Yes
• No

07

Please briefly describe a project where you conducted research about local government issues?
08

How would you rate your communication skills - both orally (speech) and in writing (correct grammar/punctuation).

• Poor
• Good
• Very Good
• Excellent

09

Will you be able to work Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and/or some nights and weekends?

• Yes
• No

10

Briefly share your knowledge of the Durham community. If you have no knowledge, indicate N/A.
11

How would you rate your experience level with MS Office applications such as Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint?

• None
• Beginner Level
• Intermediate Level
• Advanced Level
• Expert Level

Required Question