Graduate or Undergraduate Student:  The Economic Growth Institute is seeking a talented student to assist with community engagement, materials development and other support to community strategic planning and the project closeout process 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 supports 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 the third and final phase of this initiative.

Position Responsibilities:

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:

Project Management:

•      Develop project progress tracking documents for team and external partners
•      Develop and support project summary reporting and public presentations (slide decks, progress reports)
•      Manage and curate resources and data
•      Provide notetaking support as needed

Communication and Materials:

•         Assist in developing outreach and engagement framework for reaching and managing community stakeholders
•         Develop outreach and engagement communication materials for project stakeholders
•         Support content development for external report
•         Support case study development

Technical Assistance or Workforce Development Support:

•         Support and develop workforce development strategies or educational opportunities for participating communities
•         Support in event planning and management
•         Other support as needed to 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 work time falls within business hours and requires regular availability for synchronous meetings during the scheduled time. This part-time position is for Summer 2026 with preferred start time of April 2026.

Required Qualifications: Applicants should be currently enrolled in a University of Michigan graduate or undergraduate program with direct marketing, community research, research synthesis, content development, or outreach experience. Candidates should be strongly interested in community convening, strategic planning, workforce development, environment/sustainability education, or economic/community development in underserved communities. In your statement please indicate which of these areas you have interest in.

Additional Qualifications: 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), Buffer, Canva, Asana, Mailchimp, and Qualtrics.

Expectations: 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 (this section not to exceed 150 words):

•          Specific skills and interests relevant to the position responsibilities
•          Relevant experience if not indicated in resume
•          Earliest available start date (range accepted),