About the role#
The Community Relations Intern supports the Minnesota Community Relations team by assisting with stakeholder engagement, relationship management, and project coordination. This role provides exposure to local government relations, economic development, and utility operations. You will work alongside Community Relations Managers who serve municipalities, counties, tribal nations, and school districts across the state.
What you'll do#
- Update and maintain contact databases for cities, counties, and economic development organizations.
- Coordinate meetings, community outreach events, facility tours, and stakeholder briefings.
- Conduct research on local government initiatives, community trends, and economic development opportunities.
- Prepare briefing materials, presentations, agendas, and stakeholder profiles.
- Support the tracking and organization of permits, franchise agreements, and community projects.
- Assist with special projects to improve operational efficiency for the team.
What you'll need#
- Current student with Junior status or higher at an accredited college or university.
- Pursuing a degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Community Development, Economic Development, Urban Planning, Public Relations, Business Administration, Government Relations, Nonprofit Management, Journalism, Sociology, Marketing, or General Business.
- Valid driver's license and the ability to travel throughout Minnesota for meetings and events.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and work both independently and collaboratively.
- Preferred: Prior internship or volunteer experience, familiarity with CRM systems, and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Location & details#
- Term: Summer 2027 (starting May 24, 2027).
- Work Modality: Hybrid and on-site.
- Locations: Minneapolis, St Paul, Newport, Edina, Waite Park, Maple Grove, Mankato, Red Wing, and White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
- Employment: Full-time (up to 40 hours per week).
- Compensation: $18.20 to $24.50 per hour.
- Benefits: Pension, 401(k) plan, paid time off, and holidays.
About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy provides electricity and natural gas services across eight states. The company operates in Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas. Its primary focus involves the generation and distribution of energy through renewable sources, nuclear energy, and traditional utility infrastructure. The organization maintains a workforce of over 10,000 employees.
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