CSU Summer Intern Town Manager's Office

Summer Intern — Town Manager's Office

Town of Winter Park, Colorado

Program: CSU Straayer Center Local Government Internship

Supervisor: Alisha Janes, Assistant Town Manager

Compensation: $15.16/hour | 135 hours over the summer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Summer Intern will be embedded in the Town Manager’s Office as a working member of the Town’s team, contributing to two substantive, real-world projects that directly advance Winter Park’s strategic priorities. This is not a shadowing or observational role. The intern will be expected to take ownership of their work, engage with community members and stakeholders, and present findings and recommendations to Town leadership.

The intern will work under the direct supervision of Alisha Janes, Assistant Town Manager, with regular engagement with Jon Peacock, Town Manager.

PRIMARY PROJECTS

• Comprehensive Town Housing Guidelines: The intern will draft a unified set of housing guidelines spanning all of the Town’s affordable housing programs, bringing consistency, clarity, and accessibility to Winter Park’s housing policy framework. This involves reviewing existing program documents, identifying gaps and inconsistencies, and producing a clear, comprehensive policy guide for use by Town staff, housing partners, and residents.
• Climate Action Plan Community Engagement: The intern will guide structured community feedback on the Town’s draft climate action plan, engaging identified stakeholder groups including residents, businesses, and regional partners. The work will involve designing and facilitating engagement sessions, synthesizing feedback, and preparing a summary report to inform the final plan.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DAILY EXPECTATIONS

In addition to the primary projects, the intern will:

• Attend weekly one-on-one check-in meetings with Alisha Janes to review progress, discuss challenges, and set priorities.
• Attend Town Council meetings and leadership team meetings with department heads.
• Provide general support for resident inquiries at Town Hall as needed.
• Work independently between check-ins, bringing proposed solutions and analysis to supervisors for discussion rather than direction.
• Engage with Town departments and community stakeholders relevant to assigned projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate is:

• Enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate program in public administration, public policy, urban planning, environmental policy, or a related field.
• Interested in local government, community engagement, housing, or sustainability.
• A strong writer and communicator capable of synthesizing information and producing clear, professional work products.
• Self-directed and comfortable managing their own work with limited supervision.
• Eager to work in a fast-paced, growing mountain community navigating complex and exciting challenges.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

This internship offers direct exposure to the full breadth of municipal operations in a dynamic, high-growth Colorado mountain community. The intern will:

• Work on two high-priority projects with direct impact on Town policy and community outcomes.
• Attend Town Council and leadership meetings, gaining firsthand exposure to local government decision-making.
• Build relationships with experienced local government professionals, including two mentors with strong networks across Colorado.
• Experience life and work in one of Colorado’s most distinctive and sought-after mountain communities, with access to 800 miles of trails, world-class skiing, and a tight-knit community culture.
• Be considered for future opportunities with the Town, including the DOLA Best & Brightest Management Fellowship Program.

APPLICATION

This position is offered through the CSU Straayer Center Local Government Internship Program. Eligible applicants must be CSU students enrolled in a qualifying program. For more information, contact Alisha Janes at ajanes@wpgov.com.