Community Outreach Intern

Full Job Description

Requirements

Why It's a Great Opportunity: The Pierce County Summer Internship Program is back! This year, our program will run from 6/8/2026 through 8/28/2026.

We are excited to offer opportunities that provide realistic and meaningful work experiences, while providing Pierce County Departments with interns who bring fresh perspectives and support to complete special projects.

Interns are a part of a cohort that attend weekly activities together.

These sessions include classes, project planning, and tours of various departments and facilities to learn about the County and the types of great job opportunities we offer.

As a cohort, you will be responsible for a culminating group presentation before the Pierce County Council.

Check out what our interns have done in the past!

Paid Internships | Pierce County, WA - Official Website

About the Department:

Planning and Public Works (PPW) stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies.

PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community.

The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

About the Internship: This is an incredible opportunity to work in Pierce County's largest department, while doing regular outreach and engagement to connect with County residents.

This role will support our Long-Range Planning team in figuring out what our local communities want for urban and suburban spaces, as well as farmlands, beaches and more.

The data and feedback gained from this work will have a long-lasting impact on planning for the County's future.

How to be Successful in the Role: Our ideal intern is someone who's passionate about engaging with local community members, who's comfortable in all settings, working with people from varied demographics and backgrounds.

Are you skilled at facilitating conversations and relaying complex ideas in simplified ways? If so, this may be the internship for you!

To be successful, you will also need to be a self-starter who's proactive, enjoys networking, and is good at finding opportunities and then running with them.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Attend community events (sometimes on evening and weekends)
• Meet with subject matter experts on the land use, transportation and environment teams to learn about
  issues and updates
• Write issue briefs or draft content for public engagement information
• Attend community meetings and outreach events to share information with the public, and gather feedback
• Interact with communications, GIS and administrative staff to help draft material and set up outreach
  events
• Attend internal meetings and network with other teams across the County
• Write up engagement notes and findings
• Interact with communications, GIS and administrative staff to help draft material and set up outreach
  events

Qualifications

Internship Requirements:

• A cover letter is required for consideration. Without one, you will not be considered.
• Must be local 6/8/2026 – 8/28/2026 to attend in-person cohort meetings, activities, and any work-related tasks.
• Must be at least 18 years old as of 6/8/2026.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, as there will be evening and weekend events the intern will attend
• Must be comfortable traveling to urban, suburban and rural areas for community engagement
• Skilled in meeting facilitation and public speaking

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Additional Information

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration.

Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date.

Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step.

We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career.

We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision.

Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?