INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Intern - External Affairs

CompanyFoothill/Eastern
LocationIrvine
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMay 1, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will assist with community outreach, event coordination, and public information efforts. They will also conduct research, monitor city council agendas, and draft various communications materials.
Internship Type
intern
Salary Range
$19 - $22
Company Size
89
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
19 hours
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About The Company
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) are two joint powers authorities formed by the California Legislature to plan, finance, construct and operate The Toll Roads, State Routes 73, 133, 241 and 261 in Orange County. TCA’s two agencies are the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA). TCA’s one staff reports to its two Boards of Directors, comprised of elected officials from 17 member cities and the County of Orange. At 51 miles, The Toll Roads represent 20% of Orange County’s highway system. The first road segment opened in 1993 with open road tolling from day one. And, as the first tolling agency in the state, TCA developed the FasTrak® brand for electronic toll collection, which is now used on all tolled bridges, express lanes and roads in California.
About the Role

Paid Internship Opportunity - External Affairs Internship

TCA is accepting applications for a paid internship in our External Affairs Department. This opportunity is open to undergraduate and graduate students who wish to apply their education, knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. Please see below for more details. 

ABOUT US

Formed in the 1980s and located in Irvine, California, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) was created with the very clear mission of enhancing mobility in Orange County and Southern California by developing and operating publicly owned toll facilities as a part of the regional transportation system. TCA is a public agency responsible for planning, financing, constructing and operating the state’s largest toll road network, which was financed with private funds and built with virtually no tax dollars. We work every day to provide a safe, reliable and time-saving alternative to the region’s congested non-tolled facilities. TCA is comprised of two separate Joint Powers Authorities (JPA), the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency which includes the 241, 261 and 133 Toll Roads, and the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency which includes the 73 Toll Road. To learn more about the Transportation Corridor Agencies, go to: TheTollRoads.com. 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES/TYPES OF PROJECTS:

  • Assist with proactive community outreach efforts by collaborating with TCA Community Engagement staff at public information booths during community events
  • Prepare materials and correspondence as needed
  • Write, proofread and edit documents
  • Track, monitor and report city council agendas
  • Conduct research assignments and reporting findings
  • Plan, coordinate, and support meetings and events
  • Draft responses to questions on social media
  • Research current articles that focus on transportation and tolling 

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

  • Proficiency of AP Style a plus 
  • Skilled in web-based research and search techniques 
  • Strong writing and presentation skills 
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends and/or holidays
  • Ability to interact with the public at large community events 
  • Ability to conduct oneself with responsibility, integrity, accountability and excellence 
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint) 
  • Experience using social media on behalf of a public agency or professional organization a plus
  • Strong time management skills to handle multiple projects effectively
  • Ability to communicate important information clearly, both in writing and verbally
  • Perform entry-level professional work 
  • Detail oriented 
  • Self-starter 
  • Well-organized

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Must be a junior or senior attending an accredited college or university with a GPA of no less than 2.5 in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, Public Administration, Government Relations, Urban Studies, Business or related field. Candidate must have a keen interest in communications, Public Affairs or community outreach.

Experience preferred but not required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Duties are performed indoors in an office environment and outdoors at community events or meetings. Ability to work some evenings and weekends as available. Typically, light physical activity; occasional moderate lifting of boxes or equipment that generally does not exceed 50 lbs. 

Hours/Schedule: Approximately 19 hours per week  

PAY:

Undergraduate interns are eligible for an hourly pay rate of $18.50 an hour. Graduate interns are eligible for an hourly pay rate of $22.00.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit your resume by May 17, 2026 for first consideration. 

It is the policy of TCA to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, TCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Key Skills
Community outreachWritingProofreadingEditingResearchPublic speakingMicrosoft OfficeSocial media managementTime managementCommunicationWeb-based researchAP Style
Categories
Government & Public SectorTransportationMarketingAdministrative