Graphic Design & Social Media Intern

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. CDD’s mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD has three programmatic divisions - Economic Opportunity & Development, Community Planning & Design, and Zoning & Development – and also encompasses the Housing Department and the Arts Council. Together, we engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.

Intern Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of CDD’s Communications Manager, the selected candidate will support the department in two key areas: graphic design and the maintenance of social media accounts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:      

• Create visual materials for print and digital platforms, including postcards, flyers, reports, social graphics, and other collateral, while departmental content adheres to citywide brand guidelines.
• Craft social media campaigns and produce content — including static posts, reels, and videos— and schedule posts across platforms.
• Support photography and video projects, including capturing and editing content to document and promote CDD programs and initiatives.
• Maintain and organize the department’s photo and image library.
• Assist with print production tasks such as obtaining quotes, preparing files, and archiving materials.
• Ensure all digital and print content complies with accessibility standards.
• Optimize social media content and posting cadence for each platform; adjust approach based on algorithm changes and performance trends.
• Maintain social content calendar.
• Other related duties as required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:  

Education & Experience:

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, or Marketing & Communications or possess equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in layout design and typography.
• Experience with digital content creation and social media management.

Desired Skills and Interest:

• Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premier).
• Familiarity with social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram) and social management tools (e.g. Sprout Social).
• Understanding of accessible design standards (WCAG, Section 508).
• Knowledge of social media best practices, including content strategy informed by platform algorithms.
• Photography, videography, and video editing skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively; the candidate will be detail-oriented and capable of discussing “big picture” ideas.
• Ability to prioritize and manage simultaneous tasks and projects.
• Ability to communicate with a diverse range of department staff and other City employees in a courteous and professional manner.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 and digital illustration in InDesign a plus.
• Interest in civic engagement, community outreach, and communications a plus.
• The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting, computers, standard office equipment, and air conditioning. Moderate noise level with a shared workstation. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.

All applicants must provide a current resume that includes a link to an online portfolio or examples of relevant work and a cover letter that explains why you are interested in this position.

START DATE & DURATION: May 2026 (exact date negotiable). A minimum commitment through December 2026 is expected.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter