Intern, Government & Community Relations

Thank you for your interest in the BWL. We think you'll find it a rewarding and nurturing place to grow your career.

Starting Salary Range: $23.00 - $23.00

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) has an opening for a Government & Community Relations Intern in our Government & Community Relations Intern, located in Lansing, MI. 

Position Summary:

Job Type: Full-Time Summer Internship
Dates: May 17, 2027 - August 13, 2027
Pay Rate: $23.00 per hour.

The Government & Community Relations Intern will gain hands-on experience supporting government relations, community engagement, public affairs, policy research, stakeholder communications, and event coordination. Working with the Government & Community Relations team, the intern will be assigned a combination of ongoing projects and day-to-day responsibilities that support BWL's relationships with government officials, nonprofit organizations, businesses, community partners, employees, and other stakeholders.

Key assignments will include developing and maintaining a government and community stakeholder database; monitoring local government meeting agendas, discussions, and proceedings; conducting policy research and analysis; creating and distributing weekly news briefs; managing and updating the Government & Community Relations SharePoint site; and maintaining sponsorship tracking and impact data.

The intern will also provide logistical and staffing support for BWL events and community activities, assist with the administration of the employee volunteer program, and attend external meetings and events with government, nonprofit, business, and community stakeholders alongside members of the Government & Community Relations team.

This internship provides meaningful exposure to the day-to-day functions of government and community relations within a public utility environment. Additional projects and assignments will be provided based on departmental priorities and organizational needs throughout the internship.

The Government & Community Relations Intern will work under the direction and mentorship of members of the Government & Community Relations team. The intern will receive practical experience in government and community relations, stakeholder engagement, policy research, public affairs, event coordination, community partnerships, and organizational communications.

Through the internship, the intern will develop an understanding of how a public utility engages with government officials, community organizations, businesses, employees, and the broader community while gaining experience with research, information management, professional communication, and project coordination.

 

Essential Functions:

·       Support ongoing Government & Community Relations initiatives, projects, and activities.

·       Develop, maintain, and organize a database of government and community stakeholders, including elected officials, government representatives, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community partners.

·       Monitor local government meeting agendas, public meetings, proceedings, and other relevant government activities and provide timely updates to the Government & Community Relations team.

·       Conduct research on local and regional policies, regulations, community issues, and other topics relevant to BWL's operations and community relationships.

·       Assist with policy research and analysis by gathering information, identifying relevant developments, and preparing summaries for internal use.

·       Create, compile, and distribute weekly news briefs highlighting relevant government, community, business, and policy developments.

·       Manage and update the Government & Community Relations SharePoint site, including organizing and maintaining departmental information and resources.

·       Assist with employee engagement initiatives and the administration of BWL's employee volunteer program.

·       Maintain community sponsorship records, tracking information, and impact data.

·       Assist with planning, coordination, logistics, and staffing for BWL events, community activities, and employee engagement programs.

·       Attend external meetings, community events, and other activities with members of the Government & Community Relations team to gain practical experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

·       Support communication and coordination with government, nonprofit, business, and community stakeholders as directed.

·       Utilize standard office software, including spreadsheet, word-processing, presentation, database, and collaboration applications, as well as SAP and other BWL systems as required.

·       Assist with special projects and provide additional departmental support during periods of increased workload or high-demand seasons.

·       Participate in continuous improvement efforts related to departmental processes, systems, and data management.

·       Follow the BWL Safety Manual and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing fieldwork or other duties requiring protective equipment.

·       Attend required training, safety-awareness programs, and skills-development sessions, including those required by BWL or applicable governmental agencies such as MIOSHA.

·       Comply with all BWL policies, procedures, work rules, and professional standards.

·       Maintain predictable and reliable attendance.

·       Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

 

Job Specifications:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution in Community Relations, Communications, Public Relations, Political Science or related field with junior or senior status during the summer of 2027.

• Must be enrolled in fall classes 2027.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.

 

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for the majority of the working day.  The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office environment, including the use of stairs.  Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.  Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.  Must frequently communicate with other departments and employees both verbally and in writing.  May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below knee level or reach overhead.  The person in this position needs to move about in industrial environments and on uneven terrain occasionally.  May be required to recognize small numbers, letters, symbols, color on prints, and operate field instruments/equipment.  

Works in a temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions and industrial environments. 

Must successfully complete a background check, a substance screening and a physical (if applicable).

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills that may be required of the employee.  Management reserves the right to add, remove, or otherwise alter these duties, responsibilities, and skills at any time.

About BWL:
The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly-owned utilities.
 
The Location:
Lansing lies at the heart of the Great Lakes State and offers all the beauty and splendor of the four seasons. A haven for swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, golf, and hunting, mid-Michigan is also just a couple hours from premier skiing and one of the most beautiful freshwater lakeshores in the world on our Lake Michigan Coast. Lansing itself is only minutes and miles away from two of the nation’s premier universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and boasts miles of walking, running, biking trails, Potter Park Zoo, professional sports, the arts, and fine dining.
 
 

THE BOARD OF WATER & LIGHT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER