Public Affairs Intern - Hybrid

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel advocates and educates to secure for Ohioans affordable, reliable and equitable residential utility services that are essential to their well-being.

Our Mission

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the state’s voice for millions of Ohio residential utility consumers, seeks a college student with an interest in public service to work as an intern in its Public Affairs Department.  The agency seeks justice and equity for utility consumers, including at-risk Ohioans, regarding their electric, natural gas, telephone, and water utility services.  Since the legislature created the agency in 1976, we have sought affordable utility bills and reliable utility service for residential consumers.  At OCC, we put Consumers’ First.

This is a part-time position with a potential for full-time employment during the summer months. Applicants may be considered for a summer only, school year or year-round internship.  We likely will offer a hybrid work opportunity, combining remote and in-person work. 

The intern will assist the Public Affairs Manager and staff with departmental work. The work can include special projects, research, and responding to public inquiries received by phone, mail and email.  Other duties may include writing and editing documents (such as educational materials), creating reports, and scheduling speeches and participation at fairs. 

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in journalism, communications, public relations, public policy, political science or similar major. It is preferred that applicants have related work or volunteer experience in communications, journalism, government and/or public relations.

Applicants must: 1) have the ability to protect information that is confidential from being disclosed; (2) be able to effectively find solutions in projects for the agency and consumers; (3) have good interpersonal skills, including empathy, for answering calls and emails from Ohio consumers; 4) have excellent written and oral communications skills; and (5) be skilled in the use of a computer and Microsoft Office programs.  Applicants must also have the ability to lift and handle boxes of material weighing up to 20 pounds.