3RD COUNCIL DISTRICT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Introduction

Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier has represented Philadelphia's 3rd Councilmanic District since January 6, 2020. Since then, Councilmember Gauthier and her team have worked hard to build a 3rd District Council office that prioritizes direct engagement with residents, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, shared decision-making with our constituents, the centering of the most vulnerable among us, passion for our work, and fun. Internally, we have strived to foster an environment of empowerment, where each team member provides ideas and input, enabling us to make decisions with our constituents' best interests in mind.

Program Overview

Councilmember Gauthier's Internship Program is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to experience working in a City Council office. Interns will be integrated into the daily work of the team and get an opportunity to support Councilmember Gauthier's agenda.

Each year, we offer two paid opportunities. Once those are filled, we prefer to work with candidates whose schools provide a stipend. If you are interested in an unpaid internship, please explain how it would benefit you (for example, meeting a graduation requirement or critical experience for your resume).

Internship Opportunities

We accept applications for 4 generalist positions on a rolling basis:

• Communications Intern
• Community Engagement and Event Planning Intern
• Equitable Development Intern
• Legislative Intern

Hiring Cycle and Time Commitment

Our office has 3 intern cycles:

• Summer: June - August, minimum time commitment: 20 hours. Application reviews start: May 1st.
• Fall: September - December, minimum time commitment: 10 hours. Application reviews start: August 1st.
• Winter: January - May, minimum time commitment: 10 hours. Application reviews start: December 1st.

Please note - if you have specific course requirements for credit or your school semester, we can work together to modify these hours. Most hours should be worked in person in City Hall, Monday - Thursday.

Application Process

Please send resume, cover letter and 3 writing samples to [email protected]. Please specify which position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. If you are considered for the position, you will have a 15 minute interview with the respective supervisor for the position and will be asked for 3 references. Please only apply for one position as multiple applications will be automatically rejected.

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS

General Responsibilities - Applies to All Interns

• Research and complete one major project (for example, a legislation proposal, plan an event, organize a rally). You have the option but are not required to present it to the whole team.
• Support your department with their daily tasks and administrative needs
• Answer phones, take messages and greet walk-in constituents.
• Accompany the Councilmember to events during 1 weekend in the summer, 2 during winter or fall.
• Spend at least 1 day during your internship in Councilmember's District Office
• Assist your supervisor with after-hours community events as needed (negotiable)

Communications Intern

Description:

The Communications Intern will assist the Director of Communications in advancing Councilmember Gauthier's agenda through public outreach efforts. Responsibilities include creating digital content, completing self-led communications projects, and executing various writing and administrative tasks. This is a great opportunity for current students to gain experience in political communications, have direct ownership of projects, make a difference in their community, and put their creativity to work. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Digital content 
• Create copy and graphics for Councilmember's social media channels. 
• Provide input on creative digital strategies and campaigns. 
• Design flyers, graphics, and other marketing materials. 
• Self-led communications projects 
• Develop social media campaigns to celebrate small business owners, community leaders, and organizations serving residents in West/Southwest Philadelphia.
• Propose and support social media campaigns that bolster legislative goals.
• Create collateral to celebrate Councilmember's accomplishments, including one-pagers, "in review" social media posts, and more.
• Writing projects 
• Draft honorary resolutions and citations as assigned. 
• Write biweekly electronic newsletter.
• Assist with media appearances and speechwriting when appropriate.
• Complete and distill research for talking points and other collateral as necessary.
• Administrative tasks 
• Maintain media lists and other databases.
• Compile, organize, and distribute press clips; track news coverage on an ongoing basis.
• Assist with constituent services intake and events as needed.
• Support office-wide tasks and initiatives as needed.

Qualifications:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must. 
• Firm grasp of social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X).
• Experience with graphic design platforms like Canva or Photoshop is a plus. 
• Experience summarizing complex policy issues into a digestible format such as a newsletter, news article, or blog post.
• Demonstrated interest in politics and/or communications.
• Self-motivated, good organizational skills, detail-oriented; able to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines. 
• Cultural competency and proven ability to work in a culturally diverse environment. 
• Enthusiasm for Councilmember Gauthier's agenda and progressive issues.
• Familiarity with/interest in West and Southwest Philly is a plus.

Community Engagement and Event Planning Intern

Description:

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier seeks a Community Engagement and Event Planning intern who will join a team of dedicated individuals working to address the issues of thousands of Philadelphians in the 3rd District (West/Southwest Philadelphia). The prospective intern should be committed to assisting a diverse community with obtaining essential services provided by the City of Philadelphia and various nonprofit partners. These services address, but are not limited to: housing, transportation, health care, social services, economic development issues, environmental issues, and education.

The Community Engagement and Event Planning Intern will work with Constituent Services Team to assist in carrying out the office's constituent services program. This includes responding to constituent calls, emails, and social media messages. The constituent services team tracks and monitors constituent communication, provides necessary follow-up, and helps maintain Councilmember Gauthier's visible presence in the neighborhoods of the district.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist constituent services team in responding effectively to constituent messages and requests for service via many types of communication, including phone, letter, e-mail, and social media.
• Supervise and track the progress of assigned, individual constituent cases including: Corresponding with the constituent and relevant entities
• Helping to create an action plan, document the constituent issue, and follow up with the constituent. This will include compiling reports to be submitted to the constituent services team.
• Assist in ensuring proactive planning, communication, and scheduling of a variety of events, including annual events and sponsored events for community organizations
• In conjunction with other staff, maintain contact and relationships with community groups and major institutions in the district.
• Provide occasional support at in-person events (with strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines).

Qualifications:

• Some experience working with community groups, electoral or advocacy campaigns, government agencies, or experience within the office of an elected official.
• An interest in public service, community organizing, and relationship building.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google tools.

Equitable Development Intern

Description:

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier seeks an equitable development and zoning intern who will join a team of dedicated individuals working to address the issues of thousands of Philadelphians in the 3rdDistrict (West/Southwest Philadelphia). The prospective intern should be interested in city planning, zoning, economic development and/or affordable housing issues.

The Zoning and Development Intern will support grassroots organizations in developing equitable development strategies for government controlled vacant land, develop outreach and engagement plans for community-led zoning initiatives, and research policy solutions to preserve generational wealth and land ownership for longtime West and Southwest Philadelphians.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support Director of Equitable development with coordinating and conducting zoning meetings.
• Data entry and management of constituent inquiries regarding vacant land acquisition
• Assist with research and development of case studies on subjects that include but may not be limited to:
• Analysis of zoning appeal history in the 3rd District,
• Coordination of community conversations around zoning and development issues,
• Case study research on policy that creates more economic opportunity for minority contractors and entrepreneurs
• Research on cultural preservation studies for commercial corridors.

Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently with weekly check-in meetings.
• Previously academic or professional experience in any of the following fields preferred: community development, affordable housing, planning, zoning, economic development, transportation planning.

Legislative Intern

Description:

The Legislative Intern will assist the Director of Legislation and Policy with fulfilling Councilmember Gauthier's legislative agenda by researching and developing policy solutions, drafting legislation and participating in the legislative process. Additional responsibilities include drafting constituent correspondence, answering the phone and assisting Councilmember's staff with events in the district.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify problems faced by constituents by working with Councilmember Gauthier, staff and constituents.
• Evaluate existing mechanisms (governmental and nongovernmental) to address these problems.
• Research potential solutions, including, but not limited to, reviewing reports and analysis, speaking with governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders and exploring how other jurisdictions across the country operate.
• Propose, as appropriate, legislative and/or non-legislative solutions for Councilmember Gauthier's consideration.
• Collaborate with the Law Department, Councilmember Gauthier, Director of Legislation and Policy and other stakeholders to draft and refine legislation.
• Participate in legislative process for existing legislation.
• Attend meetings and take notes with the Legislative Director and/or the Councilmember.

Qualifications:

• Interest in learning the inner workings of Philadelphia local government and serving the constituents in the Third District through the legislative process.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Adept at exploring problems, researching, evaluating and synthesizing information.
• Cultural competency and proven ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
• Attention to detail, curiosity, and willingness to ask thoughtful questions.
• Enjoys working on a team.

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