The Michigan Suburbs Alliance is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented individual to serve as an Event Management Intern. This individual should possess a strong desire to learn about municipal interaction with citizens and event planning, as well as an eagerness to offer thoughtful suggestions and critical analysis. The Event Management Intern works directly with the Highland Park City Council and the Suburbs Alliance’s Strategic Development Coordinator. Combining research, data management and writing responsibilities, this internship is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in developing a better understanding of local governments and event development and implementation.

The successful candidate is well-organized, proactive and committed to regional issues. She or he should be able to balance organizational responsibilities with independent project management. Anticipated assignments include collaborating with the City of Highland Park’s Block Clubs; conducting needs assessments; partnering to draft a communications plans for event promotions; drafting announcements and invitations; providing support to expand and confirm attendance; preparing materials to be distributed at events; and researching issues pertinent to the event programs.


Qualifications
• At least one term of post-secondary education
• Ability to balance multiple assignments and meet deadlines
• Positive attitude
• Independence tempered by the ability to follow direction and abide by a work plan
• Ability to interact professionally and communicate well with staff and associates
• Strong organizational skills evidencing attention to detail
• An excellent sense of humor (or at least the potential for one to develop)


Benefits to the Student
• Practical, real-world experience that will help you to transition into a successful career in either the public or private sector
• Opportunities to network with a wide variety of stakeholders in the region
• Learn about municipal governance and how it manifests itself in southeast Michigan and inner-ring suburbs
• Learn to create and implement solutions to key municipal challenges
• Fun and flexible work environment!


Hours
Hours will be flexible and determined based on the student’s schedule and availability. The position demands a minimum of 16 hours per week, some of which may be completed off-site.


Timeline
Positions are filled on a rolling basis. Orientation will take place in September 2008.


Organizational Background
The Michigan Suburbs Alliance, a nonprofit registered in the State of Michigan, was established by a group of mayors and city managers from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. These leaders gathered in April 2002 and agreed to explore how they could work together to educate themselves and the public about the root causes of problems facing older, established suburbs. In June 2002, representatives from fourteen metro Detroit suburban cities unanimously agreed to form the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, which has since grown to encompass thirty-two member cities with over 1,000,000 residents.

The City of Highland Park was still a rural farming community north of Detroit in the early 1900s when Henry Ford chose the community as the site for his first great factory. It was in Highland Park that Ford produced millions of Model T cars. And it was to Highland Park that tens of thousands of immigrants came for an unprecedented $5-a-day wage and a chance to enter the emerging middle class. Today, Highland Park is discovering new possibilities as it reinvents itself in the post-industrial age. Over $300 million in new commercial, industrial and residential development has been invested in the city in the last decade, positioning Highland Park as a vibrant community for the future.


Mission
The Michigan Suburbs Alliance unites and strengthens metropolitan Detroit’s mature suburbs by elevating regional cooperation, reforming public policies and innovating redevelopment strategies.


Equal Opportunity Employment Policy
The Michigan Suburbs Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The organization is committed to maintaining a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. We recruit, hire, train and promote individuals in all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, sex, physical or mental disability, being a disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other eligible veteran. At the Suburbs Alliance, we are committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.

Email resume, cover letter and writing sample to Brittany Galisdorfer at Brittany@SuburbsAlliance.org. All applicants must submit a writing sample, approximately one page, double-spaced. Writing samples can include class papers, articles, short stories, etc.