Communications intern 2026

Under the direction of the director of communications and outreach, the communications and outreach intern will assist the OIG Communications team with its core work, which includes media relations, public relations, publications, social and digital media, community engagement and more.

OIG is accepting intern applications for spring/summer 2026. Start and end dates are flexible.

DUTIES:

• Creates branded graphics for evergreen social media posts (various platforms)
• Answers questions and relays information to constituents at outreach tabling events
• Collaborates with all members of the OIG Communications team to compile flyers, postcards, and OIG swag to bring to government fairs, and other community events
• Assists in researching other opportunities for public engagement with various communities in Chicago, podcasts and traditional and digital media, industry marketing idea examples, and documents the appropriate contact information for OIG staff to contact
• Performs related duties as required

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Applicable coursework in communications, marketing, public relations, civic engagement, liberal arts, graphic design, or related subject area. Must be able to abide by OIG's Confidentiality policies.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Interest in the work of the Office of Inspector General, including government oversight and civic engagement
• Completion of some related coursework, in communications, civic studies, or liberal arts
• Strong creative and writing skills
• Ability to organize, prioritize, monitor, and execute competing assignments, and control deadlines
• Comfortable interacting with and engaging the public in conversation to garner feedback
• Demonstrated leadership ability and initiative on assigned tasks
• Capability to collaborate with colleagues from a wide array of technical and professional disciplines and backgrounds in and across all the office's sections
• Familiarity with Canva, Hootsuite, and Microsoft Word
• Consciousness of diversity, inclusion, and equity challenges across communities, including for underserved and underrepresented communities in the City of Chicago, and commitment to address those challenges and positively contribute to OIG's internal culture of inclusion, respect, and community

SCHEDULE: The working hours for this position are flexible. This role requires in-person work.