Job Description
Summer College Intern -
COLTS Program Outreach & Promotion Position Title:
Summer College Intern - COLTS Program Outreach & Promotion Department:
Executive Officer Organization:
Citrus Connection Location:
Lakeland, Florida (with travel throughout Polk County) Position Type:
Temporary Summer Internship Duration:
Summer Semester (approximately 10-12 weeks) Reports To:
Chief Executive Officer Pay Rate:
$14.00/hr Position Summary The Summer College Intern will support Citrus Connection's efforts to promote the COLTS (Connecting Our Local Transit Students) Program throughout Polk County middle schools. The COLTS Program provides free public transportation access for eligible students and has recently expanded from serving high school students to including middle school students. The intern will assist with community outreach, school engagement, marketing initiatives, event coordination, and communication efforts designed to increase awareness, participation, and understanding of the program among students, parents, educators, and community stakeholders. This internship provides hands-on experience in public transportation, community engagement, marketing, public relations, and youth-focused program promotion. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Outreach and Community Engagement Assist in promoting the COLTS Program to middle schools throughout Polk County. Coordinate and participate in school visits, orientation sessions, open houses, and community events. Build positive relationships with school administrators, counselors, teachers, students, and parents. Represent Citrus Connection professionally at outreach events and informational meetings. Marketing and Communications Assist in creating and distributing promotional materials, flyers, brochures, and presentations. Support social media campaigns and digital outreach initiatives promoting student transportation services. Help gather photos, testimonials, and success stories for marketing purposes. Assist with website content updates and communication efforts related to the COLTS Program. Program Support Maintain records of outreach activities and school contacts. Track participation data and assist with reporting program outcomes. Respond to basic inquiries regarding program eligibility, routes, and benefits. Assist staff with special projects related to student transportation initiatives. Research and Evaluation Conduct surveys and collect feedback from students, parents, and school personnel. Research best practices for youth transportation outreach and engagement. Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of promotional campaigns and outreach activities. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong verbal and written communication skills. Comfortable speaking to groups of students, parents, and school personnel. Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and social media platforms. Ability to maintain professionalism while representing Citrus Connection in public settings. Ability to travel throughout Polk County for outreach activities. Minimum Qualifications Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. Pursuing a degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, Community Development, or a related field. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation preferred. Experience working with youth, schools, community organizations, or public-facing programs is desirable. Preferred Qualifications Previous internship, volunteer, or leadership experience. Experience creating social media content. Knowledge of Polk County schools and communities. Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are a plus. Physical Requirements Ability to travel to schools and community events throughout Polk County. Ability to stand, walk, and interact with groups during outreach events. Ability to lift and carry promotional materials up to 25 pounds. Learning Opportunities Upon completion of the internship, the student will gain experience in: Community outreach and engagement Public transportation operations Marketing and communications Event planning and coordination Public sector administration Data collection and program evaluation Professional networking and stakeholder relations Internship Goal The primary goal of this internship is to increase awareness and participation in the COLTS Program among middle school students and their families, helping ensure that Polk County students have access to safe, reliable, and free transportation opportunities through Citrus Connection. CITRUS CONNECTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Pay:
From $14.00 per hour Benefits:
Flexible schedule On-the-job training Opportunities for advancement Application Question(s): Are you a student? Work Location:
In person
