Government & Public Relations Intern

Vail, CO 81657

The Eagle River Water & Sanitation District is seeking a Government & Public Relations Intern to support the Government & Public Relations team, which focuses on board governance, policy development, legal compliance, and coordination with other local entities. You will work to support the Board of Directors, help manage public records and contracts, research policy issues, and collaborate with the team on communications with customers and community partners, including support for social media content and outreach. You will be part of a small team where your work matters and your ideas are welcomed. This role is a good fit for someone who is curious, organized, and interested in how policy, communications, and operations come together in a local government that provides the essential water services that keep our community thriving.

Day-to-Day

  • Government Affairs & Policy: Research local and state laws, town and county codes, and metro district regulations related to water conservation and other community issues. Track legislation and policy trends and summarize key takeaways for staff and leadership. Support coordination with towns, counties, metro districts, and design review boards.
  • Board Administration: Assist with Board of Director meeting packets, agendas, and materials. Help organize records and ensure documents are accurate, complete, and legally compliant. Learn how public boards operate and how staff support transparent and accountable decision making.
  • Communications: Assist with written materials related to water use, conservation programs, and District operations. Support public facing communications through drafts, summaries, talking points, website content, and social media posts. Help organize background information that supports clear and consistent messaging.
  • Customer Relations: Serve as an initial point of contact for customers, responding directly to questions about summer watering schedules, conservation programs, and District policies
  • Contracts Administration: Support basic contract development and administration for construction and operational projects. Help organize contract files, track key information, and support administrative steps in the contracting process.
  • Records Retention: Help maintain organized, accessible records that meet public accountability standards and naming convention standards. Support document management systems and assist with improving clarity, consistency, and accessibility.
  • High school diploma or GED equivalent. Current enrollment or recent completion of coursework in communications, public administration, political science, business, or a related field preferred.
  • Strong writing, editing, and analytic skills
  • Familiarity with programs like SharePoint and the Microsoft Suite
  • Motivated, organized, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
  • Ability to respectfully engage with community members and represent ERWSD professionally at public events.

The Schedule

This position will work up to a maximum of 1,000 hours or six months. We prefer that a candidate is available to work 30 or more hours a week for a six-month time period from May through October but will consider alternative schedules. This will be a hybrid internship with the expectation to work onsite between 2-5 days per depending on team and scheduling needs.

Pay Range and Benefits

This role is a paid internship with the pay range of $23.96 - $33.55/hour. We value life-work balance, and the temporary employee benefits package includes but is not limited to: 

  • $522 Employee Housing Stipend 
  • Wellness program 
  • 457 Retirement savings plans 
  • Paid Holidays and PTO
  • $800 Annual Recreation Benefit

All District employees must submit to a pre-employment drug screen and extensive background check.

For a full classification specification, email erwsdjobs@erwsd.org.

All applicants must apply online by March 15 in order to be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer
We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

 

Apply