The Economic Growth Institute is seeking a talented student to assist with community outreach and engagement, materials development and other support to community meetings, and community strategic planning for communities across Michigan facing economic disruptions due to shifts in the auto industry.

Project Overview: The US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) awarded the Economic Growth Institute and other partners a $3 million grant as part of their Vehicle Technologies Office programming to support and advance a priority of Community Engagement, Outreach, Technical Assistance, and Training in Underserved Communities in Michigan. This grant will support technical assistance activities for impacted communities facing transitions and support community engagement to accelerate clean transportation options in underserved communities.  The project includes developing customized strategic plans and workforce training and technical assistance models to assess, align, and execute training and technical assistance as community needs are learned and defined. EGI is looking for students to help with this initiative.

Position Responsibilities: Graduate Research Associate or Undergraduate Assistant in Research.  This position works with the Project Intermediate Manager and is responsible for assisting in the development and carrying out or dissemination of the following essential tasks and tools:

•       Outreach and engagement framework for reaching and managing community stakeholders
•       Outreach and engagement communication materials for project stakeholders
•       Project progress tracking documents for team and external partners
•       Develop and support project reporting and public presentations
•       Customized strategic planning framework and implementation strategy for communities
•       Manage and curate resource and data repository
•       Other support as needed to EGI Project Manager on various program activities as they develop

This position is primarily remote, although employees attend in-person meetings as scheduled. Travel opportunities are available to participating communities in metro Detroit, Lansing, or Flint. Note that most work time should fall within business hours. This part-time position is for Summer 2025, with an opportunity for employment in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Applicants should be currently enrolled in a University of Michigan graduate or undergraduate program with marketing, community research, and outreach experience. Candidates should be strongly interested in community convening, strategic planning, and economic and community development in underserved communities.

Knowledge of and specific experience using some of the following software and programs is also a plus: Microsoft Office, Google Suite (especially spreadsheet functions and management in either Microsoft or Google), InDesign, Buffer, Canva, Asana, Mailchimp, Salesforce, and Qualtrics.

Students are expected to assist the Project Intermediate Manager and other project team members in various aspects and stages of the work. We also expect student team members to be accountable to EGI staff and one another for assigned tasks and project problem-solving and contribute to the overall project task framework for organizing their work. 

Students wishing to work on Economic Growth Institute projects should exhibit excellent critical thinking skills. They should also work independently and in a cross-functional team environment, be highly self-motivated, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. In addition, students should be dependable, punctual, and detail-oriented. The project requires students who can be resourceful and utilize various resources and tools to carry out tasks.

Please submit resumes and indicate specific skills and interests (this section not to exceed 150 words).