Student Intern (Economic Development)

Job Description

About the Company

Lensa is a dedicated career site designed to help job seekers find suitable employment opportunities within the US. It operates as a platform for job promotion rather than a staffing firm or direct employer. Lensa does not directly hire for the jobs it lists but instead promotes positions on LinkedIn on behalf of its diverse network of direct clients, recruitment ad agencies, and marketing partners. For this specific role, Lensa is partnering with DirectEmployers to promote the job on behalf of the City of Carlsbad.

The City of Carlsbad is a vibrant and picturesque community located in north San Diego County, California. It boasts an ideal climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant natural open spaces. The city is also home to world-class resorts, family attractions, well-planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere, all contributing to an ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, Carlsbad is home to approximately 115,000 residents and is recognized for its award-winning growth management plan, which ensures infrastructure and services keep pace with development, thereby promoting a high quality of life. The City of Carlsbad is committed to fostering an inclusive and engaged work environment, recognizing the vital link between diversity and innovative excellence. Its work climate values personal experiences, cultural differences, and circumstances. The organization prioritizes belonging, creativity, recognition, and retention of its employees, actively seeking to hire and develop motivated, productive, and talented individuals who contribute to public services and enhance the quality of life for its residents. The City strives for open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and professional development.

About the Job: Student Intern (Economic Development)

This is a Student Intern position focused on Economic Development with the City of Carlsbad.

• Salary: The position offers a salary range of $16.60 – $22.17 Hourly.
• Location: The internship is located in Carlsbad, CA.
• Job Type: This is a Part-time Internship.
• Job Number: The specific job number is 06182025.
• Department: This specific position is within the Economic Development Department.
• Opening Date: Applications opened on June 19, 2025.
• Closing Date: The application window closes on July 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM Pacific.

Overview of the Position:
The City of Carlsbad offers a unique student intern opportunity within its Economic Development Department. This role is designed to provide interns with valuable exposure to a broad spectrum of public sector professional and trade career options, while also supporting specific learning objectives tailored to the intern’s educational or training program. The City is dedicated to nurturing new talent and ensures interns gain exposure to significant projects that have a tangible, positive impact on the community. Interns will collaborate with experienced professionals, mid-level managers, and new hires, benefiting from a supportive network that encourages personal and professional growth within public service.

Area of Focus – Economic Development:
This internship primarily supports the City’s Economic Development initiatives. A significant focus will be on leveraging data-driven decision-making, economic analysis, and strategic marketing to foster both small business development and overall economic growth within Carlsbad. A crucial aspect of this role involves contributing to the Small Business Liaison Program, which includes creating content materials, digital resources, and guidance to help small businesses navigate city processes, access support, and expand their operations. The intern will also be involved in projects that enhance the City’s “Life in Action” campaign, aimed at promoting Carlsbad as a prime location for businesses, talent, and residents. The position offers hands-on experience in data analysis and opportunities to develop technical skills in software such as Tableau, Python, and advanced digital marketing techniques.

Hours & Duration:
The hours and duration for this part-time student internship are flexible, designed to accommodate class schedules and intern assignments. Internship positions with the City of Carlsbad cannot exceed 980 hours in a fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

Key Responsibilities:

• Assisting in the collection, organization, and analysis of economic and demographic data using tools like Tableau and Excel.
• Supporting the preparation and visualization of data for various reports, presentations, and dashboards related to economic development initiatives.
• Contributing to the “Life in Action” marketing campaign through content creation for social media, websites, and other digital platforms.
• Participating in special projects, including research on economic trends, business outreach, and community engagement activities.
• Learning and applying data analysis techniques to inform strategies that promote business retention, attraction, and expansion.
• Assisting in the preparation of materials for meetings, workshops, and public presentations related to economic development.
• Aiding with special projects focused on data-informed decision-making for operational efficiency.

Qualifications:

• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools such as Tableau, Excel, Python, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• A strong interest in economic development, data analysis, and digital marketing.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to think creatively and apply problem-solving skills to real-world challenges.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects and work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Familiarity with digital marketing strategies, including social media and content creation, is a plus.
• Ability to learn pertinent Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public.
• Ability to think creatively and quickly while managing multiple tasks/projects.

Experience & Education:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited academic course/program or technical/trade school, or be a recent graduate of such a program.

Background Checks:
Candidates selected for internship positions will undergo fingerprinting and are subject to a criminal background check conducted by the State Department of Justice.

Benefits:
Internship positions with the City of Carlsbad do not come with standard benefits (such as health insurance or retirement plans). However, paid interns receive 24 hours of sick leave per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) and become eligible to use this paid sick leave 90 days after their first day of work (based on reported work hours).