Communications Intern
Pennsylvania Humanities Council
325 Chestnut St, Suite 715
Philadelphia, PA
Description of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council
Pennsylvania Humanities Council, a nonprofit organization, champions the humanities through
original programming, advocacy, and direct grants to more than 250 organizations statewide. In
the humanities, we tell powerful stories and explore big ideas. We bring communities together
to discover something new about history, the arts and the world around us. We ask a lot of
questions, such as who we are, where did we come from, and what is our connection to one
another and the community? We value the humanities for personal growth and the
development of creative solutions to our nation’s biggest challenges.
PHC leads a vibrant network of individuals, scholars, libraries, historical societies, museums,
schools, and arts centers to engage with their communities and value the humanities. Our
programs include Commonwealth Speakers, Teen Reading Lounge, and the award-winning
television series Humanities on the Road, which continues to air on TUTV and PCN. In 20122013, more than 72,000 people attended more than 700 programs in over 180 communities
statewide. PHC television programming on PCN and community television stations reaches
hundreds of thousands across the Commonwealth.
For more than 40 years, PHC has been the Federal-State Partner of the National Endowment for
the Humanities. For more information on PHC, visit www.pahumanities.org.
Description of the Position
The Communications intern will assist PHC staff in a variety of areas, including:
 Public Relations – Working with PHC’s communications staff, the intern will assist with
building and maintaining relationships with the press and program partners. Tasks may
include working with the Communications Manager to coordinate press for projects,
including the Chester Culture Corridor, writing news releases, contacting press and
updating our media/press tools (PHC website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
 Media – Working with PHC’s communications staff, the intern will assist with planning
and implementation of media projects, which could include social media, audio, or video
projects. For example, the intern would have the opportunity to assist on PHC’s
participation in a weekly radio segment “Ideas Matter” on WAMC Northeast Public
Radio, which in done in collaboration with six humanities council within WAMC’s
listening area.
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Advocacy - Working with PHC’s communications staff, intern will assist in direct
relationship building and communication with legislators and their staffs. Tasks will
include research and reporting, written and verbal communications with legislators and
their aides, and meeting and event attendance.
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Programs – Working with PHC’s program staff, the intern will assist in the planning,
promotion, and implementation of a professional development workshop for PHC’s
Teen Reading Lounge (TRL) book discussion program. TRL focuses on humanities based
out-of-school learning for teens and tweens at public libraries. It builds a network of
library leaders across the state to conduct rich humanities programming for young adult
audiences. Popular teen literature like comics, graphic novels, and fantasy form the core
of this reading and arts experience. The communications intern will have the
opportunity to staff the convening and the workshop alongside PHC’s Program Officer,
Program Director, and Executive Director. Last, there may be publicity and research
projects based on grant initiatives that PHC is developing – one for civic engagement in
the humanities and another on workforce development.
Skills and Qualifications
Applicants should have an interest/experience in communications. They should also possess
the following skills:
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The ability to conduct research and analyze information.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
The ability to develop and write content for newsletters, news releases, marketing
materials, etc. with knowledge of AP Style.
Knowledge of social media, e.g. creating posts and updates.
Strong computer skills and familiarity with common software, including Microsoft
Office, Adobe Suite, and Photoshop.
Experience or knowledge of event planning would be helpful.
The ability to communicate in a professional manner with internal and external
audiences.
Self-motivated, good organizational and time management skills, and the ability to
multi-task and meet deadlines.
Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Resumes and a letter of interest should be sent to Laurie Zierer, Executive Director,
lzierer@pahumanities.org