The City of Lake Charles offers a Summer Internship Program aimed at introducing students to the world of public service and providing them with hands-on experience in various city departments. The program seeks to develop professional skills and foster an understanding of municipal operations among participants.

Applicants below the age of 18 are required to submit proof of date of birth to be considered for employment. 

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be born in 2008 or sooner. 
• Enrollment in high school, college, or a law school program is required, depending on the specific internship positions.

Program Details:

• Interns are assigned to various city departments, where they will engage in tasks and projects that contribute to municipal services and operations.

• Field trips will provide additional exposure to different sectors of city work.
• Interns will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, seminars, and networking events to foster their professional growth.
• The program offers opportunities for interns to present their work and receive feedback to enhance their development.

Positions Available: 

Community Development Intern

Ideally, the candidates will have completed their freshman year in college by the summer. Looking for students who are pursuing bachelor's degrees. 

Responsibilities:

• Creating presentations based on research
• Offering input to the Mayor and the executive team
• Communicating with the public
• Completing compliance documents
• Drafting memos
• Organizing and serving at events

Qualifications:

We are looking for students who have the following skills:

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills
• Ability to research projects and draft conclusions and/or summaries
• Strong computer and social media skills
• Interest in community development and community programming
• Top tier professionalism
• Experience with public speaking and creating presentations
• Ability to work independently and with a team

Cultural Affairs/Historic City Hall Intern

Responsibilities:

• Assist with planning and executing gallery receptions, internal events, exhibit programming, and city-wide events.
• Vendor/market relations and coordination.
• Can lead a guided field trip or group tour with accurate knowledge and positive audience engagement.
• Assist with exhibition installation, 
• Assist with social media management, including content creation, scheduling, and campaigns for Historic City Hall, Central School, and Downtown at Sundown.
• Knowledge of exhibitions and events calendar at all times.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or higher completed level of education.
• Creative thinking, organization, communication, and attention to detail skills are important.
• Must be personable, motivated, and professional.
• Must be comfortable and efficient in using Microsoft (Word, Spreadsheet, Outlook)
• Graphic design, photography, and event coordinating skills are a plus, but not required. 
• Able to work occasional after-hours and Saturdays.
• Able to work in a group setting and independently.
• Preferably someone seeking a career in public relations, marketing, event coordinating, project management, or an art-related field. 

Legal Intern

Qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school program (open to all law students).
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive legal information.
• Interest in local government, legal procedures, or public policy is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Type pleadings, briefs, correspondence and all other legal documentation.
• Communicate with courts, other attorneys/staff and witnesses.
• Gather investigative data from pertinent departments.
• Legal research including summarizations and use of Westlaw software.
• Review and summarize medical records, deposition testimony, or other documents. Arrange depositions, issue subpoenas, etc.
• Maintain accurate calendar of events. Answer telephone.
• Open mail and respond accordingly. Process departmental accounts payable.
• Update library books and resources with periodic pamphlets, etc.
• Transcribe dictation.
• Research court records.
• Interact with the public in a professional manner.

Government Affairs Intern

Ideally, the candidates will have completed their freshman year in college by the summer. Looking for students who are pursuing bachelor degrees.

Responsibilities:

• Creating presentations based on research
• Offering input to the Mayor and the executive team
• Communicating with the public
• Completing compliance documents
• Drafting memos
• Organizing and serving at events

Qualifications:

• We are looking for students who have the following skills:
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills
• Ability to research projects and draft conclusions and/or summaries
• Strong computer and social media skills
• Interest in community development and community programming
• Top tier professionalism
• Experience with public speaking and creating presentations
• Ability to work independently and with a team

Planning Intern

Weare seeking motivated interns to gain hands-onexperience across urban planning/zoning and permitting/code enforcement. Through a structured rotation, they will gain acomprehensive understanding of how city planning shapes the built environment,preserves historic districts, ensures public safety, and upholds local codes. Eachintern will be assigned a primary focus area while also participating incross-training experiences within the department.

Planning & Zoning Interns

Responsibilities

·         Assist inreviewing development proposals, zoning requests, and site plans.

·        Researchand analyze land use policies, comprehensive planning documents, and zoningordinances.

·        Participatein public meetings, including Planning Commission and Board of Adjustmenthearings.

·        Supportrevitalization initiatives in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)district.

·        Assist inthe review of applications for historic preservation and redevelopmentprojects.

·        Engage withlocal business owners and stakeholders on downtown improvement efforts.

Preferred Qualifications:

·        Pursuing adegree in Urban Planning, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field.

·        Strongresearch and analytical skills.

·        Familiaritywith GIS and zoning codes is a plus.

·        Interest inpublic policy and community development.

Property Standards & Code Enforcement Intern

Role Description:

·        Conduct field assessments of blight abandoned properties, and code violations.

·        Assist in developing strategies for improving neighborhood livability.

·        Learn about legal processes related to property standards and enforcement actions.

·        Engage in community outreach to inform residents of code compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

·        Pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field.

·        Interest in municipal law, code enforcement, or community development.

·        Strong observational and investigative skills.

·        Ability towork in both office and field environments.

Additional Features of Planning Internship:

Rotational Experience – Interns will rotate through each division to gain a holistic understanding of municipal planning and development. Professional Development – Weekly seminars on city planning topics, including guest speakers from various departments. Field Visits & Projects – Interns will participate in site visits, inspections, and community engagement efforts. Final Presentation – We will ask each intern to give a capstone presentation, drawing from their experiences throughout the program. Our goal is to encourage fresh, innovative ideas that can help shape and enhance City initiatives for the next generation. This final project will not only showcase their learning but also provide valuable insights into how we can continue improving our work for the future. 

Ideal Candidates:

We are looking for students who are passionate about city planning, public service, and community development. Strong communication skills, adaptability, and a willingness to learn are essential.

Graphic Design/Multimedia Intern

Responsibilities:

The intern will assist with graphic design projects, print finishing tasks and some video and photography projects.

Qualification:

The intern should be studying or majoring in graphic design and have an understanding of principles of design, copywriting and be able to utilize the Adobe Creative Suite of products. (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premier Pro)

Recreation and Parks Camp Leader

We are looking for high school and college students to assist with our community summer camps.

Intern duties including coordinating summer camp activities.