Communications​/Public Relations Intern

Colorado PERA seeks a dedicated and passionate Communications/Public Relations intern to assist with external and internal communications. The intern will work with a 16-member Communications team with writing, research, design and marketing. The position is up to 20 hours per week from June through December and is flexible to accommodate academic schedules. The internship is designed to provide professional experience and develop communications skills;

it does not require academic credit to be earned.

We are Colorado’s public pension fund committed to providing secure and sustainable retirement benefits for public employees. Our communications team plays a vital role in informing and engaging our stakeholders, including members, retirees, the media, policymakers, and the public.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Communications/Public Relations Intern to join our team. This internship offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in public-sector communications, media relations, digital marketing, and content creation.

The ideal candidate will be a current college student or recent graduate with a background in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.

Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Individuals must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Draft, edit, and proofread press releases, news advisories, and other public‑facing content
• Assist in creating content for social media platforms (e.g., Linked In, Instagram, Facebook)
• Support the development of email marketing campaigns and newsletters
• Contribute to website content updates and assist with basic web content management
• Monitor media coverage and assist in preparing media reports
• Research communication trends and best practices
• Assist with event coordination, internal communications, and other entry‑level communications tasks as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program or a recent graduate in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field
• Strong writing and editing skills, with attention to detail
• Basic understanding of media relations, AP Style and press release writing
• Familiarity with social media platforms and digital communication strategies
• Experience with email marketing tools (e.g., Send Grid, Mailchimp, Constant Contact) is a plus
• Knowledge of website content management systems is a plus (e.g., Word Press)
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a professional environment

• Gain valuable experience working with a public sector communications team
• Build a portfolio of professional writing and digital content
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate academic commitments
• Opportunity to network with communications and policy professionals

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standard office environment with frequent telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine.
• Occasional moving and positioning supplies in excess of 20 pounds
• All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to operate standard PC equipment
• Ability to manage frequent deadlines and tight schedules

• Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.