Economic Development Internship-Business Investment & Research

The Town of Vienna Economic Development Division helps to enhance, shape, and cultivate a vibrant and business friendly environment for the community. We help to strengthen and diversify the business community and highlight the Town as a destination to visit and do business through strategic events and initiatives, attraction and retention programs and providing relevant information and business services.

Although the Town of Vienna is only 4.4 square miles, it’s full of charm and community pride! Vienna is an independent town in Fairfax County—the largest County in the Commonwealth of Virginia and often included at the top of “best places to live in Virginia” lists. The economic development division is new to the Town—beginning in November 2019. The internship will certainly have a direct impact on not only the business community but also helping to shape the foundations of this division.

About the Internship 

Business Investment & Research Internship Responsibilities

The business investment and research intern will:

• Analyze and research economic and business issues and trends impacting the Town of Vienna including business openings, closing, vacancies, and other relevant business data. 
• Support Council and public reports through data retrieval and synthesis on platforms like the Census, CoStar, Pitchbook, Virginia Tourism, and others. 
• Assist Director with welcoming new businesses to the Town 
• Maintain a current business directory and provide recommendations for improvements. 
• Provide recommendations on business outreach strategies for attraction of new businesses and retention of existing businesses and drafting outreach to support these strategies.

Experience:

• Superb attention to detail.
• Self-starter and independent worker.
• Possess a sound understanding of interpreting data sets.
• Experience using any of the platforms listed in the Responsibilities is a plus.
• Business or public engagement experience.
• Research projects that resulted in recommendations.
• Ability to talk on the phone confidently with business owners. 
• Economics, Government, Business, Public Administration, or related major.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Adobe CC (desired, not required).

Logistics

The internship start date must begin the week of June 30th and has a flexible end date. Ideally the intern will work at minimum three days each week and will work a maximum of 20 hours per week. The position will be in-person. A request for hybrid work may be taken on a case-by-case basis.

Pay: $13 per hour

School Credit: Applicants can receive school credit for the internship program. 

Application Requirements

Complete the online application and attach a cover letter and resume with the subject line TOV Economic Development Internship (Business Investment). Make sure to answer this question in your cover letter: why are you interested in working in this role or organization?