Closing Date: June 12, 2026

Intern Dates: August 2026 through December 2026

Pay Rate: The Hourly pay rates are based on the following:

·       Current Undergraduate Student: $14.00

·       Current Graduate Student: $16.00

Positions Available: 1 -Must be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Hours: Minimum of 20 hours per week – up to but not to exceed 29 hours per week. 

*Maximum of 29 hours per week cannot be exceeded.

Location: 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE. Suite 754 East Tower Atlanta, GA

Agency Overview

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia's Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s community powered child care rating system.

The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.

Position Overview

The Communications office is responsible for working with the press and developing the agency’s communications strategy. The office communicates with the media by holding press conferences, issuing press releases and media advisories. The office also handles media requests for interviews and statements. The Government Relations office handles requests from legislators and other key stakeholders as well as tracks legislation during session.

Interns will work closely with the Chief Communications Officer and the head of Government Relations and Special Projects.  Duties may include:

• Assist with responding to media, preparing press releases, and social media posts,
• Assist with preparing talking points and other preparations for interviews
• Contribute to the monthly newsletter.
• Assist in filming, editing video and still photography.

• Assist in special agency events.
• Attend State House and Senate Committee Hearings and create summary documents (Spring), and
• Assist in tracking legislation

·       May be asked to serve as agency costumed mascot for special events.

Learning Objectives

Gain knowledge of communication and government relation at the state agency level; knowledge of the state of early childhood education in the State of Georgia; knowledge of governmental agency operations.

Interest Areas

Early Childhood Education, Government Relations, Research, Communications, Public Administration

Entry Qualifications:

•                 Currently enrolled student, part-time or full-time, with a 3.0 GPA or higher (must submit transcript to verify enrollment and GPA.

•                 Georgia resident or attending a Georgia college, university, or law school

•                 Working level skill in the use of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook)  Good research and analytical skills

Preferred Qualifications:

•                 Advanced level skill in the use of Excel

•                 Excellent business writing, organizational, and computer skills.

•                 High level of skill in research and analysis with the ability to form conclusions and recommendations based on analysis

Physical Requirements and Performance Aptitudes: 

•                 Requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading and visual inspection. 

•                 Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification. 

•                 Requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.

•                 Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer.  A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any of the following: criminal history, credit history, employment history, educational records, IRS records and driving records.

 If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or other reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the selection process for this position, you may contact our HR department at 678-879-2993.  Due to the volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application or interview status cannot be provided in writing, over the phone, or in person. All applicants who submit a complete application package will be considered but may not necessarily receive notification or an interview.  The job posting may be subject to being closed at any time without notice.  Only those qualified candidates who are selected for an interview shall receive notification upon the filling of this vacancy.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer.