Summer Government Relations & Community Relations Intern - (2026) - $19.00/hr.

Summer Government Relations & Community Relations Intern - (2026) - $19.00/hr.

The Delaware River Port Authority ("DRPA") is a bi-state agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey. It owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry, and Betsy Ross Bridges which are four major bridge crossings of the Delaware River. The Authority's transit subsidiary, the Port Authority Transit Corporation ("PATCO"), operates a two-track rapid transit line between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Lindenwold, New Jersey.

The DRPA/PATCO is seeking to hire college students for the 2026 summer season. The hourly rate for most administrative intern positions is $19.00. While former summer interns are welcome to apply, past employment as a summer intern does not guarantee that you will be selected for an internship during summer 2026. Students who wish to apply for a summer internship must meet the following criteria:

1. Successful completion of a pre-employment evaluation which includes drug (including marijuana) and alcohol.
2. Successful completion of a criminal background investigation conducted by a third-party vendor.
3. Submit an official school transcript with the raised seal documenting that you completed at least one year of undergraduate studies (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 - 24 credits).
4. Submit official school documentation confirming that you will be enrolled in an undergraduate studies for the upcoming Fall 2026 semester on a full-time basis (12 credits).
5. Must be able to commit to working full-time (40 hours per week, which includes a paid lunch hour) for 12 weeks.

Department Requesting Intern: Government Relations & Community Relations Departments

Desired Skills & Professional Expectations: This internship is designed to provide college students with meaningful, hands-on exposure to a professional work environment. While extensive prior experience is not required, we're looking for students who:

• Have basic exposure to reading and analyzing information (coursework, projects, case studies, or research assignments)
• Ability to write clearly and thoughtfully, with guidance and feedback
• Ability to follow instructions and complete assigned tasks accurately and on time
• Willingness to apply academic knowledge and skills to real-world assignments
• Openness to learning new concepts, tools, and processes throughout the internship
• Confidence to ask questions, seek clarification, and request feedback when needed
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality work
• Problem-solving mindset when approaching assignments
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Professional conduct, including reliability, respectful communication, and accountability

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct legislative and policy research to help guide DRPA's strategic priorities.
• Assist in developing reports, presentations, and briefing materials that support communication with government leaders and community stakeholders.
• Help plan and execute community outreach initiatives, support event coordination, and contribute to on-the-ground engagement efforts including but not limited to the Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration.
• Collaborate with team members on important departmental projects and initiatives.
• Participate in meetings, capture key insights, and help translate discussions into actionable next steps.
• Draft communications for both internal and external audiences.
• Provide administrative support to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Identify and work with key stakeholders from PA and NJ to identify and advance priorities of importance to the DRPA.
• Assist with the coordination of a working collaborative with other like-minded transit organizations.
• Work in collaboration with the DRPA federal lobbyist and staff to advance DRPA strategic initiatives.
• Assist with coordinating the Ben Franklin Bridge 100th anniversary celebration. Validate and update governmental databases. Ensure the accuracy of relevant community relations stakeholder databases. Work with corporate communications to develop relevant marketing materials for all projects.

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Intermediate skill level in using MS Office.
• Interns must attend an accredited college/university, including a community college (junior college).
• Home residence must be located within DRPA's Port District, which includes (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania, and Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem, counties in New Jersey).

Preferred:

• Enrollment in a degree program such as Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Strong research capabilities and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Previous experience in government relations, community outreach, or grants work

Work Location: One Port Center, located in Camden, NJ

Work Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday, including a paid lunch hour with the possibility of nights and weekends for meetings and special events.

A Few Benefits of Interning at the Delaware River Port Authority:

• Competitive pay.
• Paid weekly.
• Free parking at all facilities.
• Complimentary passage on DRPA bridges when they are used for commuting to and from work only.
• Complimentary travel on PATCO, when the train is used for commuting to and from work only.
• Opportunity to participate in a meaningful learning experience with industry leaders and professionals.

What You'll Gain: As part of a supportive team, you'll gain practical real-world experience, develop essential professional skills, and opportunities to build transferable skills that will build a strong foundation for your future career, and experiences and accomplishments you can confidently discuss in future interviews.