Intern-Lawrence City Council Office-Part-Time

Intern – Lawrence City Council Office – Part-Time Part-Time (8–12 hours per week, Monday - Thursday; more hours if needed) Position Overview The Lawrence City Council seeks motivated, detail-oriented high school juniors/seniors and college students interested in public service, government operations, policy, communications, and civic leadership. This internship bridges the gap between civic engagement, legislative operations, and municipal technology. Under the guidance of the City Council President and/or an assigned City Council Supervisor, interns will assist with legislative research, community engagement initiatives, municipal modernization projects, and public communications. College‑level interns may also participate in policy and ordinance review projects, gaining hands‑on exposure to legislative drafting and municipal governance. Key Responsibilities & Tasks Interns will gain hands‑on experience across multiple municipal functions. Core projects include, but are not limited to: Legislative Research & Policy Support Conduct research and review local ordinances, municipal policies, and legislative practices. Identify outdated or inconsistent ordinances and provide recommendations to City Councilors regarding areas that may require modification, clarification, or modernization. Assist with preparing citation language, ceremonial resolutions, proclamations, and other legislative documents for City Council meetings and public events. Support City Councilors with background research related to municipal policy discussions and agenda items. Legislative & Attendance Digitalization Modernize Voting Records: Work alongside the City Council President and/or an assigned City Council Supervisor and the City IT Department to improve how local government tracks votes. Research electronic voting methods utilized by other bodies of government, like the MA House of Representatives and their Clerk’s office, to help develop similar digital tracking systems for the Lawrence City Council. Smart Attendance Tracking: Partner with the Council President and/or the assigned City Council Supervisor and IT Department to create automated attendance tracking spreadsheets for City Council meeting records and webpage reporting. Create & Implement Tracking Sheets: Develop digital Excel/Google Sheets systems to organize historical and current handicap parking applications. Data Maintenance: Systematically update citizen data fields (names, addresses, solicitor records) to improve municipal tracking accuracy. Asset Management: Assist with documenting and registering official handicap parking removals and modifications throughout city wards. Public Relations & Community Engagement Social Media Assistance: Provide support with content creation, scheduling, formatting, and public communication efforts for City Council digital platforms. Civic Event & Meeting Attendance: Attend City Council meetings, subcommittee hearings, and community events alongside Councilors to gain firsthand exposure to municipal government and legislative policymaking. Departmental Analytics: Assist in creating systems to monitor and track quarterly departmental reporting requirements, submission dates, and digital filing access. Youth Leadership Development (Lawrence Youth Council) Assist the City Clerk’s Office and City Council members with drafting proposals, conducting outreach efforts, and developing framework concepts for a potential Lawrence Youth Council initiative. Assist the City Clerk’s Office with keeping the website up‑to‑date pertaining to the Lawrence Youth Council if the initiative is approved by the City Council. Qualifications Currently enrolled as a high school student in the 11th/12th grade and/or a college student. 3.0 GPA or higher preferred. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or basic digital data management tools. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong research, organizational, and analytical abilities. Demonstrated interest in local government, law, public policy, communications, civic engagement, or community organizing. Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality within a municipal workplace setting. Special Requirements Program Expectations & Legal Compliance Workplace Safety & Child Labor Laws Child Labor Compliance: In strict accordance with Massachusetts Child Labor Laws, all youth interns under the age of 18 must secure an official youth Work Permit through their respective school district or local issuing authority prior to beginning work. Work Hours for Minors: 14 & 15 Year Olds: May work a maximum of 3 hours per school day, up to 18 hours per week during the school year, operating strictly between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. 16 & 17 Year Olds: May work up to 9 hours per day, up to 48 hours per week, operating between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM on nights preceding a school day (up to 11:30 PM on nights not preceding a school day). College Student Schedules: Hours will be determined based on departmental needs and student availability. Direct Supervision: In accordance with state guidelines, any work extending past 8:00 PM requires direct, on‑site supervision by an adult who is readily accessible in the workplace. Prohibited Tasks: Interns operate under a clerical and administrative framework. They are strictly prohibited from operating hazardous machinery, lifting heavy equipment, utilizing ladders, or engaging in prohibited manual labor outlined by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement The City of Lawrence is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Lawrence does not discriminate in employment or program coordination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factors. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Lawrence