Communications Intern

Salary: $16 per hour; can be used for college credit

Duration: 3-4 month internship; Jan/Feb – May, 2025 (start and end dates flexible)

Time Commitment: 8-10 hours per week, during the hours of 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Friday (hours negotiable)

Status: Part-time temporary employment (internship), eligible for Earned Safe and Sick Time only.

Work Location: 2353 Rice St., Suite 240, Roseville, MN 55113 (KOM Office); Work will be hybrid, with remote and in-person work.

Reports to: Suzanne Olive, Volunteer Coordinator

Position Descriptions:

The Communications Intern will help with story-telling and outreach through social media content creation, design, and article writing, with potential projects related to fundraising and event planning. The Communications Intern will work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator, Development Director, and Co-Executive Director to increase awareness and support of refugees and immigrants from Burma and other communities through the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). This position offers the opportunity to acquire skills in several areas of communications and media.

Responsibilities:

Design and Social Media (45%):

• Tell stories through social media content on KOM’s Facebook and Instagram accounts
• Create graphic design elements for outreach as needed
• Design flyers and other materials for program recruitment
• Update photos and media on KOM’s website as needed
• Photograph community events and KOM activities (and take videos when appropriate)

Writing (45%):

• Draft bi-weekly brief newsletter content in English (announcements, upcoming events, job openings, etc.)
• Draft the Spring Newsletter with a full article (to be sent in March)
• Collect stories from KOM clients to illustrate the impact of its programs (interview staff, clients and others to gather stories for the newsletter that highlight KOM’s programs, mission, values or services).
• Meet with staff to update information on KOM’s website as needed (new staff, program changes, etc.)

Fundraising & Event Support (10%)

• Highlight the impact of donations through story-telling campaigns, with direction from Development Director
• Assist in creating communications/promotional materials related to KOM events (materials may include event reminders via social media, email, and snail mail)

*Work will be hybrid, with remote and in-person work.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidates for these positions will have an interest in communications, graphic design, social media, and/or journalism, and serving refugees from Burma and other immigrant communities in Minnesota.

Qualifications include:

• Experience using and/or managing social media pages on Facebook and Instagram
• Some graphic design experience (Canva preferred, or other similar design platforms)
• Previous experience interviewing and writing content for school or an organization is beneficial
• Proficiency using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint), MailChimp, and WordPress is preferred
• Proficient in English (speaking and typing)
• Proficiency in S’gaw Karen, Pwo Karen, or Karenni, and the ability to type in Karen are beneficial, but not required
• Some knowledge of the Karen community is beneficial
• Video making skills are beneficial, but not required
• Event planning experience is beneficial, but not required

To apply:

To apply, please fill out our online volunteer application and submit a résumé, a one-page writing sample*, and a design sample** in your application. You may also email or mail your documents to: Suzanne Olive, Volunteer Coordinator

Address: Karen Organization of Minnesota

2353 Rice St., Suite 240

Roseville, MN 55113

Email: solive@mnkaren.org

Phone: 651-202-3112

*Writing sample should be one-page pulled from a finished essay, story, project, or other written work. You do not need to write a new piece for our application.

**Design samples should be submitted as a JPG, PNG, or PDF, created by the applicant, and can be of any subject. Examples of a design sample: flyer, brochure, postcard, social media graphic, poster, etc. You do not need to create a new design for our application, but can submit one you have already created.