Communications Intern

Job Description:

Communications Intern

Description

Summary

The Department of Natural Resources and Parks has talented communication teams across several divisions and in the director’s office, tasked with providing strategic communications on major initiatives including restoring salmon habitat, operating major infrastructure that protects Puget Sound water quality and marine life, transforming waste management to reduce carbon emissions, and enhancing regional parks and trails - all of which contribute to the quality of life in King County.

Our communications teams seek engaged college-level interns interested in gaining knowledge and real-world experience with how public agencies communicate with the public and the media.

You’ll partner with award-winning communication professionals that won awards in four categories last year from the National Association of Government Communicators. You’ll also join a workforce of 2,000 DNRP employees committed to environmental stewardship.

Come join a high-performing communications team this summer! For more insight into what we do, here is an interactive map of recent communications work.

About the Role:

Each intern will work directly with a team assigned to Public Affairs in the Director’s Office or one of DNRP’s internship cohort divisions and programs :

• DNRP Director’s Office
• Haz Waste Program - King County
• King County Parks
• Solid Waste Division
• Wastewater Treatment Division

Interns will work with their teams on products such as news media engagement, social media, videography and photography, employee engagement, high-profile press tours and briefings for leadership and the County Executive.
Interns will complete a portfolio of communications products, including a writing a news release, social media plan, and gain video or photography and web content production experience. Interns can expect to work with a group of peers to develop job skills such as social media and photography training, learn from subject matter experts in the field, and network with other communication professionals across the county.

You will have the opportunity to go out into the field to see, document, and promote the inspiring work our professionals do each day to better the health of the environment for our community.This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with environmental stewards who are restoring habitat, protecting water quality, reducing waste, conserving open space, enhancing parks and trails, producing climate solutions, all of which contribute to a more resilient, sustainable, equitable King County.

About the Team:

DNRP’s communication team’s primary mission is to deliver a clear, compelling message about the inspiring work our 2,000 professionals do each day to protect and restore the natural environment for the people, fish, and wildlife of King County. Come help us further our messaging across each of our divisions and initiatives to show the public how we produce climate solutions, conserve open space, protect water quality, restore habitat, and promote equitable access to the outdoors - and how our work builds resilient, sustainable, communities where all people can thrive.

The primary function of a communication intern is to support teams with their communications activities. Summer tends to be the busiest time of year to showcase to the public how DNRP is bettering the environment for the community, maintaining our beloved parks, producing clean water, recovering resources, and furthering climate action.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Communications Intern , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

Internship tasks and deliverables will include things like:

• Planning and creating creative content for social media
• Learning best practices to produce compelling videography and photography
• Researching and writing news releases, blog stories, and newsletter content
• Assisting in event planning and coordination
• Supporting staff on-site during news conferences and other media-related events
• Creating presentations, talking points, FAQs, fact sheets, and backgrounders for leadership and external audiences
• Developing content to engage employees

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Junior, senior, or nontraditional student at a university or community college with coursework experience in relevant fields such as communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or video production.
• Excellent writing, verbal communications, and research skills.
• Strong understanding of digital communications tools and content production for those tools.
• Self-starter, with willingness to ask questions and ability to follow-up.
• Available to work for a ten-week period.
• Committed to equity, social justice, inclusion, and belonging in public service.

Competencies You Bring :

• Action Oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Resourcefulness: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Drives Engagement: Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Experience with photography and videography.
• Experience with digital content creation.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The Communications team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is at King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.
• Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is not represented by a union.
• Duration: This recruitment aims to fill 5 intern positions who will work across the four division and the DNRP's Public Affairs Office, for approximately 10 weeks during the summer.

Application and Selection Process: This opportunity is open to college level students currently enrolled and continuing into the fall of 2025 in full or part-time status at an accredited university/college. Proof of full or part-time enrollment status is required. We welcome applications from all qualified student applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions
• SUBMIT with your application - One writing sample (such as an article, paper, blog post, etc.) and 2 digital samples (such as a photo, video, social media post, graphic, or PowerPoint presentation).
• If you don’t have a writing sample, here is an assignment: Write a blog post between 400 and 600 words on the role of public parks in combating climate change and promoting environmental justice. Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

W ho to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Mark Workinger at [email protected]

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

This position is not eligible for King County leave, holiday, insured, or other benefits. Please contact the recruiter on the posting for any additional questions regarding associated benefits.

Closing Date/Time: 3/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$22.01 - $27.90 Hourly