For More Information, Please Contact s3

Internship Title: Research Assistant Department: Parks and Recreation Type: Unpaid Internship ($25/week stipend) Schedule: Flexible, 10-20 hours a week For more information, please contact: Volunteer Coordinator: Cheryl Skafte Phone: 218-730-4334 | Email: [email protected]

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION The City of Duluth Public Administration Department seeks intern support to provide research assistance on a variety of programs and projects currently under review by the city. This dynamic and exciting internship will include an opportunity to partner with City staff on a variety of topics that may include parks and recreation proposals, public utility projects, park maintenance, and more. Interns will be asked to develop strategies to address a particular policy or operational question facing the City. By the end of the internship, the intern(s) are asked to present their findings to appropriate City staff.

INTERNSHIP TITLE Research Assistant

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: Up to 2

INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES  Develop key / central questions that will drive research around a proposed topic  Utilizing research techniques including internet, library, historical/archival and interviews, produce written documentation of research findings  Conduct field research where appropriate  Present research and findings to appropriate City staff

The intern(s) will be oriented and supervised by the City of Duluth’s Volunteer Coordinator. Individual research projects will be assigned by the Volunteer Coordinator depending on intern’s interest and schedule. Each research project will have a City Manager, whom the intern will interface with to develop driving questions, coordinate the completion of the research and to whom they will present the findings.

Examples of potential research projects include:  Comparison research between the City of Duluth and other communities on a variety of indicators to assess how we provide service and to identify potential efficiencies.  Develop recommendation for new polling sites.  Website and communication research on material / links / processes to add to the City of Duluth’s website and social media.  Follow-up and community research on City Council resolutions (i.e., dog parks, etc)  Development, dissemination and analysis of internal or external customer surveys.

QUALIFICATIONS / SPECIAL SKILLS / AREAS OF STUDY These positions are open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates should possess good verbal and written skills and have experience working both independently and in a team setting. Successful candidates will be detailed oriented, have experience with planning/analysis/research (including online research), and be comfortable working datasets. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint, is expected. Experience with SPSS and/or Access is a plus.

We are looking for an intern who is: • Positive, energetic, and friendly • A problem-solver who is able to take the initiative and research new projects and ideas • An excellent writer and communicator, comfortable speaking with community members and City staff • Computer savvy, with a working knowledge of MS Office and able to perform accurate data entry.

APPLICATION PROCESS Please email cover letter and resumé to [email protected].

SALARY RANGE Unpaid ($25/week stipend)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / COMMENTS Must be available to work between ten to twenty hours each week on a consistent schedule, between the hours of 10AM – 6PM. The positions are available from early- September through mid-December, early-January through mid-May, and mid-May through early-September. Current interns can extend their internship into the next semester, depending on availability and space. Some interns are able to receive credit for their work with City of Duluth – please contact your school advisor to determine if this is a possibility.