We are looking for a dynamic, creative, energetic, self-starter to join our Strategic Communications team as a video editor and visual storyteller intern.

Iowa Department of Transportation's Strategic Communications team is made up of employees dedicated to keeping the general public and everyone within the agency informed of topics related to transportation in Iowa. Functioning as an internal PR and Marketing agency, we deliver messages that can help make lives better through transportation by providing audiences with information to make sound decisions related to travel, understand how transportation impacts their daily lives, and connect them with government and government services using language and methods that everyone can understand. We work in a fast-paced, creative, fun environment on projects that can impact citizens across Iowa and the nation.

This internship position will partner with our Chief Talent Officer to curate a series of short recruitment videos to further shape the Iowa Department of Transportation brand and culture. Together you’ll capture content which tells compelling stories that emotionally connect audiences with the Iowa DOT’s core focus of “Making lives better through transportation, but we will lean on you to edit the content and develop the final production.  Your work may be used as stand-alone projects or as part of broader communication campaigns on social media, digital publications, the web, signage, television, radio, digital displays across Iowa, and beyond.

The ideal candidate will:

• Experience with Adobe Premiere, Rush, or After Effects; Promo; or other desktop or cloud-based video editing software.
• Have the ability to generate unique story ideas as well as execute ideas brought forward by others.
• Offer creative solutions to communication challenges by capturing and producing interesting and unique video and audio end products.
• Have the ability to explain topics in a simple, yet interesting way to general audiences.
• Be self-driven and energized by the ability to help shape the way citizens perceive the Iowa DOT and transportation in Iowa.
• Enjoy working with people and can put subjects at ease with being on camera or in audio recordings.
• Stay on top of the latest trends, tools, and techniques in video, audio, and social media.
• Help expand the video and audio capabilities of the Strategic Communications team by finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to capture stories across the state using a small, centralized team.
• Let their passion and excitement for their work show through.
• Ability to stay on track and meet project deadlines.

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

• Ability to capture compelling content in short-form video, using mobile phones and digital cameras
• Ability to work in both controlled environments and on-location shoots
• Consistent creativity and ability to collaborate with like-minded individuals
• Ability to work independently and be a resourceful teammate
• Strong creative writing skills with the ability to “speak” in various styles, tones, and voices

Candidates selected for an interview should be prepared to share examples of their creative work.

Duration: Full-time (up to 40 hours/week) summer semester and transitioning to part-time hours(up to 20-hours/week) in the fall if student remains eligible; course of study remains relevant to the work or student does not complete course of study.

Location: Student will start on-site at our Ames office with possibility of remote work after internship is established.

Salary starting at $15.98/hr.

1 Position available

Mentor/Project Partner: Lori Burgmaier (lori.burgmaier@iowadot.us)

Application Deadline: June 15, 2023