DCS - Strategy and Communications Internship

Multnomah County•Portland, OR

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Strategy and Communications Internship College to County Internship 2026 - Department of Community Services Director's Office Pay Rate: $24 per hour Job Type: Temporary College Intern Duration: Summer 2026 - Starting in June - 12 weeks Hours: 40 hours a week Working location: Hybrid, in the office at minimum on Tuesdays Building Physical Location: 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Ste. 400, Portland, OR 97214 The Department of Community Services, or DCS, is a trusted partner helping to create thriving and inclusive communities. Equity and safety are our guiding principles. Our four divisions include: Animal Services, Elections, Land Use Planning and Transportation. Our mission is to preserve harmony between natural and built environments, keep people and pets safe, and ensure every voice is heard. The DCS Director’s office supports the four divisions by: Liaising between the department, the Board of County Commissioners and other partners around the region Partnering on exciting major capital projects and policy initiatives Fostering a safer and more equitable work environment for staff Coordinating other services for the department such as: The DCS Equity program Human Resources Business Services Asset Management Emergency Management and Safety Legislative coordination. As a key member of the Director’s Office, you will sit at the intersection of strategy and storytelling. Working closely with the Strategic Initiatives Manager and the Communications Coordinator, you will help lead project management efforts, build relationships, and craft the narrative for high-profile DCS initiatives. The ideal candidate is a systems-thinker who enjoys organizing complex information and can pivot quickly between technical project tracking and creative content development. Ideal candidates would also possess exceptional written communication skills and can craft clear, compelling, communications pieces. Projects may include: Planning for a new Animal Services facility or redevelopment of industrial land in East County into safer spaces that meet community needs.

Requirements

Meet all criteria listed on the College to County Program Eligibility Website
Promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values ( Link to Equity and Empowerment Lens )
Ability to both follow directions and work independently.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and develop effective working relationships with diverse groups.
Familiarity with, or willingness to learn, Google Suite (e.g., Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Drive, Docs, and Slides).
Educational or professional experience with project management, political science and/or communications.

Responsibilities

Develop materials for county websites, stakeholder meetings, community engagement events, and briefings.
Support the lifecycle of high-profile department projects.
Identify and recommend ways to streamline workflows and project tracking within the Director’s Office.
High-quality web, communications content, and presentations developed in partnership with the Communications Coordinator, Strategic Initiatives Manager and other DCS staff.
Create foundational documents (Charters, Gantt charts, RACI charts, and Risk Trackers) for key initiatives.
Offer project management support as needed.
A final memo and set of templates to standardize project management for future department use.

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