Assistant to the County Manager
Jones County
Public Service Fellows Program Overview
The Public Service Fellows (PSF) Program began in 2014 with support from the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation. Since its inception, over 200 students have completed internships in 85 organizations in 25 North Carolina counties. The goal of the program is to foster workplace experiences for undergraduates at ECU while helping rural communities build professional capacity to address public issues.
Up to 20 students will be chosen each year for SECU Public Fellow Internships (PFI). PFI participants will take part in 20 hours of leadership and professional development workshops in addition to the 330-hour PFI internship experience. Each student selected for the program will receive $17.50 per hour.
Students will be expected to attend a MANDATORY orientation on May 15, 2026, attend workshops scheduled throughout their internship, and at the end of their internship, present at a State Employees Credit Union Advisory Board meeting either in the summer or fall.
Position Summary
The Assistant to the County Manager Intern provides direct support to the County Manager’s Office and gains broad exposure to the administration of county government operations. This position is designed to introduce students to executive-level local government management, strategic planning, policy coordination, and interdepartmental collaboration. The intern will work closely with the County Manager and County Attorney, assisting with research, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and preparation of materials for leadership and governing board consideration. This role is ideal for students interested in public administration, county management, and leadership roles in local government.
Key Responsibilities include: Assist the County Manager’s Office with day-to-day administrative and operational support. Help prepare agendas, briefing materials, reports, and presentations for Board of Commissioners meetings, department head meetings, and external engagements. Attend meetings as assigned; take notes and assist with tracking follow-up items and action steps. Support countywide strategic initiatives by conducting research, data collection, and policy analysis.
Assist with short- and long-term planning efforts related to housing, economic development, land use, and organizational priorities. Help analyze trends, best practices, and benchmarking data relevant to county operations and service delivery.
Assist with outreach and communication efforts involving community partners, developers, regional organizations, and state agencies. Support the preparation of materials for meetings with stakeholders and external partners. Gain exposure to executive decision-making, governance structures, and public administration best practices.
Internship Location & Supervisor Information
Jones County Government is a local government in eastern North Carolina that provides a range of services to the public. The vision and mission of Jones County is committed to creating a thriving community for citizens to safely work, live, and play; where school-aged children are encouraged to succeed, college students wish to return, and families can discover the power of community engagement. Mission: The mission of Jones County, NC, is to improve the quality of life for our citizens by providing efficient public services to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.
Students will primarily work at the Jones County Manager’s Office located at 110 S. Market Street, Trenton, NC 28585, with an opportunity to work from home, as determined by the supervisor, for a hybrid experience. Interns will work with Kyle Smith, County Manager.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Strong organizational, planning and communications skills – Creativity and ability to utilize Canva and prepare outreach/marketing materials – Strong computer skills to produce data bases, presentations, as needed to complete duties outlined in job description – Ability to work well with others as a team player – Strong self-motivation skills and adaptability to multi-task
Start & End Dates
May 15, 2026, through August 14, 2026.
Majors Targeted
Economic Development, Government, Planning, Political Science, Business, Public Admin
Application Process
Applicants must complete a PFI application and submit a resume to be considered. Applications are available here:
All students selected for the PFI program must have undergraduate status and meet the following eligibility requirements by the internship start date:
- North Carolina resident
- Good academic standing
- Completion of at least 60 semester credit hours (classified as an upcoming Junior or Senior)
- Not graduating prior to the internship end date
East Carolina University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and as such encourages applications from qualified women and minorities.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the Department for Disability Support Services at 252.737.1016 (voice/TTY).
Federal law requires proper documentation of identity and employability at the time of employment.