Public Information Office (PIO) Intern

Job Description

About the Companies

• Lensa: Lensa is described as a career site focused on helping job seekers find employment in the US. It is not a staffing firm or agency and does not directly hire for the jobs it promotes. Instead, Lensa advertises jobs on platforms like LinkedIn on behalf of its direct clients, recruitment ad agencies, and marketing partners. For this specific role, Lensa partners with DirectEmployers to promote a job for the State of New York Mortgage Agency. When users click “Apply Now” or “Read more” on Lensa, they are redirected to the actual job board or employer site, where any collected information is subject to that site’s terms and privacy notice.

• New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR): HCR is the State’s affordable housing agency. Its core mission is to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing, and to increase homeownership across New York State. The agency operates under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. HCR is characterized as a vibrant and innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. It maintains offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse, and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to serving low- and moderate-income families. HCR’s mission is extensive, covering single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement programs, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. The agency regularly collaborates with various public and private stakeholders. HCR seeks professionals with a wide range of skills in areas such as public policy, administration, real estate, architecture, finance, and law. The agency aims to provide a productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring workplace environment where employees are empowered to make a difference. HCR offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement plans, and family-friendly policies.

• State of New York Mortgage Agency: This entity is mentioned as the direct client or partner for whom Lensa is promoting this particular job. It is implied that the job is within the scope of New York State housing initiatives, likely associated with HCR’s broader mission.

Job Description: Public Information Office (PIO) Internship

This is an internship opportunity within the Public Information Office (PIO) of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). The PIO plays a crucial role in promoting HCR’s activities and initiatives, serving as the agency’s liaison with the media, and planning and executing public events. The office values professionals who thrive in fast-paced environments and possess the skills to effectively provide timely and accurate information to the public and media, while enhancing communications and relationships between New Yorkers and the agency.

Internship Summary:

The intern will gain practical, hands-on experience in various aspects of digital content creation, social media management, and event production, all within a high-impact public-sector setting focused on community development and social good. This role offers the chance to develop valuable skills in video editing, graphic design, and analytics by working on real-world projects that directly contribute to promoting HCR’s mission. The intern will learn how the PIO leverages modern tools to amplify the visibility of HCR’s work through engaging, short-form content. Exposure to HCR’s operations in New York City and beyond will also provide networking opportunities and insight into public policy and housing initiatives. Furthermore, the internship offers a platform for the intern to showcase their talents on a larger scale, building a robust portfolio with meaningful content.

Key Responsibilities:

• Content Creation and Editing: Create and edit short-form video content (30 seconds or less) specifically for popular social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and X (formerly Twitter). The content will primarily focus on affordable housing and community development initiatives.
• Social Media Management: Schedule and post video content to various social media channels, ensuring consistent branding across all platforms and timely engagement with the audience.
• Event Support: Provide assistance at local events, including ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. This involves capturing video footage and photographs, as well as supporting overall event logistics to gain a comprehensive understanding of content production processes in a live setting.
• Design Support: Assist with digital and print design projects, which may include creating social media graphics and various marketing materials.
• Content Strategy Collaboration: Actively participate in content strategy meetings and contribute to the development of both short-term and long-term projects designed to highlight the Agency’s community renewal efforts.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor social media analytics to assess the performance of published content and suggest improvements based on data insights.

Qualifications:

• Education: Must be a current college student or a recent graduate in a relevant field such as communications, media production, marketing, or a related discipline.
• Video Content Experience: Proven experience in creating short-form video content (30 seconds or less), demonstrated by a portfolio showcasing work on platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels.
• Video Editing Proficiency: Proficiency in industry-standard video editing software, including Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, or Final Cut Pro.
• Graphic Design Basics: Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop and InDesign, for handling simple graphic tasks.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills are required for effectively scheduling social media posts and assisting with event logistics.
• Communication and Passion: Excellent communication skills are essential, coupled with a genuine passion for using content creation for social good, such as promoting affordable housing and community resilience.
• Work Environment Adaptability: Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced environment.
• Location Preference: Ideally based in or near Albany, NY, or New York, NY.
• Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with social media analytics tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social) and a demonstrated interest in government, community development, or public policy are preferred.