Mayor's Office Intern

City of Terre Haute Internship Program

Position: Mayor’s Office Intern

Department: Office of the Mayor               

Reports to: Eve Friedman-Dekro, Citizen Engagement & Communications Administrator & Mayor

Position Summary:   The Mayor’s Office Intern supports the daily operations and public-facing responsibilities of the Office of the Mayor. This internship provides hands-on experience in municipal government through research, drafting, event and meeting support, community outreach, and preparation of official correspondence and Mayoral materials. The intern will work closely with Mayor’s Office staff and collaborate with City departments and external partners to support City priorities and ensure accurate, timely communication and follow-up.

Duties will include (but are not limited to the following):

• Coordinate and create Mayoral proclamation and prepare finalized documents.
• Shadow the Mayor at events and meetings and assist with preparation and follow-up, including tracking next steps.
• Assist with drafting ordinances and related supporting materials.
• Conduct research and compile findings to support policy development, initiatives, and special projects.
• Perform public outreach and participate in community meetings to support engagement efforts and capture key feedback.
• Create talking points, briefings, and background materials for the Mayor for meetings, events, and public appearances.
• Facilitate written correspondence including proclamations, certificates, official greetings, and other letters.
• Attend certain board, council, or commission meetings and support note-taking, tracking action items, and follow-up.

Minimum Requirements (Qualifications)

• Prior quantitative coursework or research experience, preferably in a discipline applied to political science, public administration, business administration, or a related field
• Ability to follow detailed and technical instructions with accuracy and strong attention to detail
• Effective written communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, professional correspondence and documents
• Strong verbal communication skills, including comfort speaking publicly and interacting with residents and stakeholders
• Self-motivated, proactive, and flexible, with professionalism and sound judgment
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple ongoing tasks, meet deadlines, and track deliverables
• Ability to take and edit photos for digital use (smartphone or camera)

Preferred Skills 

• Experience creating professional reports, summaries, briefing memos, or meeting recaps
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Canva experience for creating simple, professional visuals for presentations, handouts, or community-facing materials

Work Schedule and Location

• Hours: Part-Time $12.50/hr - 25 hours/week between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday -Friday. Weekly schedule set in advance.
  • Occasional evening or weekend availability may be required for meetings, events, or community engagements
• Work location: City of Terre Haute City Hall, with on-site work required; some duties occur in the field at events and meetings

Interns are not eligible for City benefits. All selected candidates must complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check prior to starting work.

About the City’s Local Government: The City of Terre Haute operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor serves as the City’s chief administrative officer and is responsible for overseeing daily operations and implementing City priorities. City services are delivered through a range of departments led by department heads and professional staff who manage core functions such as public safety, public works and infrastructure, parks and recreation, community development, and administrative services. The City Council serves as the legislative body, establishing local laws and policy and adopting the City’s budget. The City works in coordination with Vigo County and other community partners to support efficient service delivery and meet the needs of residents.

Application Process: To apply for this position, complete an application on Handshake. If you have questions about the positions, email Eve.Friedman-Dekro@TerreHaute.IN.Gov.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.