Creative and civic practice intern (Summer 2026)

About the role This part-time, hourly, project-based independent contractor (1099) internship allows you to shape your experience around your strengths and interests. You’ll contribute to video editing, illustration, motion, digital strategy, research, or storytelling-related tasks depending on your skills and goals. Interns will have opportunities to connect with the Founder & CEO and a small remote creative community, and gain hands-on experience contributing to creative projects that support a public interest consultancy. Applicants will select their top 2–3 interest areas, and responsibilities will be tailored based on your strengths, interests, and project needs. Responsibilities Core responsibilities (will vary by applicant): Edit short-form videos for Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube Clip long-form content into concise, social-ready segments Create illustrations and visual assets for blogs, carousels, and the website Produce simple animations or motion graphics when applicable Apply brand overlays, template elements, and captioning Repackage existing content into new formats for growth platforms Optional: Participate in creative discussions, peer check-ins, or critique sessions Engage with peers in a remote creative community, as desired Optional responsibilities (if aligned with skills): Conduct desk research or support light design research Assist in preparing materials for workshops or facilitation Support synthesis and documentation tasks Contribute to behind-the-scenes creative or operational needs Qualifications Minimum qualifications: Current undergraduate/graduate student, recent graduate, or emerging creative Demonstrated interest in public service, civic design, or social impact Portfolio or work samples Experience in at least one creative area Ability to work independently in a remote environment Comfort discussing ideas, sharing creative work, and exchanging feedback Authorized to work in the U.S. and based in the U.S. Proficient in written and spoken English Preferred qualifications (will vary by applicant): Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Procreate, or other creative tools Familiarity with social platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok) Ability to add captions, overlays, or animations within brand guidelines Light experience in research, analysis, or facilitation Prior remote work, online learning, or digital collaboration experience Interest in civic design, design operations, or public interest storytelling Additional information Classification: Independent contractor (1099), paid through Rippling Hours: 10 hours maximum each week, flexible timing Location: Remote (U.S.-based) Environment: Stable, private, and secure internet connection required Timeline: Summer 2026 Tools: Work includes video conferencing, Slack, and Google Suite AI Restrictions: Some tasks may require limited AI use due to ethical considerations Background checks: May be required depending on project involvement English proficiency: This internship involves producing and collaborating on English-language content. Applicants must be comfortable communicating and working in English in a professional context. Portfolio rights: Interns will receive credit for published work and support developing portfolio pieces Peer learning: Interns will participate in optional peer presentations and creative exchanges to learn from one another. Practice Sessions: Interns will be invited to join Practice Sessions—informal learning conversations with members of the Public Servants network across design, communications, research, policy, and public service. Equipment: Interns must have access to a personal computer that can support creative work for their focus area. Public Servants does not provide computers for internship roles/contracts at this time. Software access: If specialized creative software is required for your internship focus area, Public Servants will work with you to ensure you have temporary access for the duration of the internship. Creative materials: Public Servants may reimburse limited creative materials or small asset purchases for internship-related work when approved in advance. Equal Employment Opportunity: Public Servants is committed to equal opportunity and strongly encourages applicants from underrepresented communities to apply. Encouragement to Apply: If you’re excited but unsure whether you meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply—creativity, curiosity, and mission alignment matter deeply here. Accessibility: We’re committed to an inclusive process. If you need accommodations at any stage of the application or hiring process, please email your main point of contact or accessibility@publicservants.com. To learn more about the learning environment and what we offer interns, read our Spring 2026 internship overview here: https://publicservants.com/in-service/2026-spring-internship