Communications & Design Unpaid Internship - Spring 2027

This is a non-merit, unpaid internship position. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise. 5th District, Department of Corrections has an exciting Communications/Design internship opportunity for Spring 2027. This role offers hands-on experiences with real-world projects that support staff, strengthen communication, and enhance community engagement.

Please note that these internship opportunities are unpaid . Key Responsibilities

• Create and update content for newsletters, training materials, and web page content (writing, editing, basic design, photos/video, and graphics)
• Support a variety of district initiatives that will allow you to sharpen your graphic design, communications, and more
• Attend team meetings, events, and occasional outreach activities

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age and have completed at least two years of college by the start of the internship
• Must be currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution
• Preferred majors/coursework include, but are not limited to, Advertising, Business, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or Graphic Design
• Must be proficient in Canva for creating graphics, training materials, and photo/video content
• Strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills with excellent attention to detail
• Creative, flexible, organized, self-directed, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Comfortable being in a criminal justice environment
• Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality

Internship Details

• Hours: Flexible based on student needs
• Location: Des Moines
• Start Date: January 2027
• Pay: Unpaid (professional experience and portfolio-building opportunities)

E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants for positions in this class must be currently enrolled students in a degree program at an accredited educational institution, as determined by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.

• NOTE: Applicants must attach a current unofficial transcript

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description .