Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Hourly Rate: $22.95 per hour
Duration: August - January (2027)
Workdays/Hours: This internship is primarily in-person with some flexibility for telework. Hours flexible with availability requirement of 8:30 am-5 pm EST. Monday - Friday. Intern will work approximately 15 hours per week. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required to support the Mayor at City Council meetings, community events, press events, special initiatives, and other official activities. Because the work of the Mayor’s Office is often driven by public meetings, community events, and emerging issues, schedule flexibility and reliability are important expectations of this position.
The Office of the Mayor Communications & Leadership Internship provides a motivated college or graduate student with a meaningful, hands-on introduction to executive leadership, municipal government, public service, strategic communications, and community engagement.
This is an opportunity to work directly alongside the Mayor and senior staff and gain firsthand experience in the operations of a mayoral office. This position provides opportunities to help tell the story of the City, engage directly with residents and community partners, support the Mayor’s priorities, and build a professional portfolio of meaningful public-service work.
Because interns may have access to confidential information, constituent matters, internal discussions, and other sensitive City business, exceptional discretion, professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment are essential.
This internship is designed for a student who wants more than a traditional office internship. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to see local government in action, contribute to meaningful community initiatives, work directly with the Mayor’s Office, engage with residents and stakeholders, and develop tangible professional experience in public service.
The ideal candidate is someone who is curious, dependable, creative, intellectually engaged, and passionate about making a positive impact in their community. This position is especially well suited for a student who wants to understand how ideas become initiatives, how government responds to community needs, and how effective leadership and communication can help move a city forward.
