“As our Main Street program has grown and evolved, we are now at a point where we can bring on a part-time intern to assist in some of our programing,” said Mason who works with numerous volunteers to spearhead and assist with downtown revitalization efforts. “The intern will handle some duties currently being done by volunteers and myself. It will be a great learning opportunity for the intern and free up the MSCR board and myself a little bit to tackle some new strategic projects.”

Job duties will include updating the city’s online calendar of events and downtown property inventories, as well as redistributing shopping and dining guides to businesses and recreational kiosks. He/she will assist with events like the Downtown Dash and Dine and the Main Street Block Party and supervise the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

Marketing will be a big piece of the job as he/she will use Canva to create social media posts and videos to promote retail events and business spotlights. If the candidate wants to work on writing skills, he/she will also assist in submitting small grant applications and other writing assignments. This August, MSCR and Whiterock are considering hosting an exhibit booth for one day at the Iowa State Fair. If they move forward with that activity, the intern will prepare promotional materials and give-aways for the event and spend the day with MSCR and WRC staff at the fair.

The other large project that MSCR hopes to initiate this summer is a Ready to Recruit program through Main Street Iowa. This program builds on the market study completed last year to create a targeted downtown business recruitment plan. The intern will assist the task force in that program.

While the internship is open to any qualified person 16 years of age and older, this new position was created to offer skills training and job experience to high school or college students.

“This will give students exposure to a job that they may not have considered or knew was available in our community,” said Courtney Schroeder both a Coon Rapids-Bayard High School teacher and MSCR board member. “The skills they will learn through this internship will prepare them for a variety of business and marketing related jobs.”
Because the position will be available to students, the internship will be flexible and start when school is over in May and conclude Labor Day weekend. The position will be 20 hours a week allowing students to work around other summer commitments and activities. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and be able to work an occasional week night. He/she must also be available Saturday mornings; Sunday, May 28 for the Main Street Block Party; and Saturday, September 2 for the Downtown Dash and Dine.

The intern will be a City of Coon Rapids employee. For their part, MSCR’s board of directors approved funding to purchase a computer, desk and other office supplies for the intern. In addition, they will reimburse the city for the intern’s salary.
To apply, applicants must complete and return an application to the MSCR office by March 16. Applications are available in the MSCR office (406 Main St., CR), City Clerk’s office (123 3rd Ave., CR) or at www.coonrapidsiowa.com under residents then employment. For questions, call Mason at 712-999-4769. City of Coon Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer.