Hours: 10-20 hours/week (some weekends/evenings possible)

Reports to: Development  and Community Engagement Team

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Summary

The Graphic Design Intern supports the Dubuque Regional Humane Society (DRHS) by creating compelling visual content to promote animal adoptions, fundraising initiatives, community events, and shelter programs. Working closely with the Development and Community Engagement team, the Graphic Design Intern will play a key role in telling the story of DRHS, engaging the community, and giving a visual voice to animals in need. 

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Primary Responsibilities

• Visual Content Creation: Design digital and print assets, including social media graphics, flyers, posters, event signage, newsletters, and promotional materials. 

• Pet Promotion & Adoptions: Create visually engaging adoption spotlight graphics, flyer templates, and digital banners to showcase shelter animals and increase adoption rates.

• Brand Consistency: Maintain and uphold DRHS visual brand standards across all platforms, ensuring logos, typography, color palettes, and imagery align with organizational guidelines.

• Campaign & Event Support: Assist in designing marketing collateral for major fundraising events, donor campaigns, volunteer drives, and seasonal programs.

• Website & Email Marketing Assets: Produce graphics for the DRHS website, digital announcements, and email newsletters in collaboration with the development and community engagement team.

• Photo & Video Support: Assist with taking, editing, and organizing photos and short video clips of shelter animals, events, and volunteer activities for design projects.

• File & Asset Management: Maintain a well-organized digital media library of templates, photos, logos, and completed design files.

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Professional Behavior

• Represent the DRHS in a positive and professional manner to the public at all times.

• Serve as a friendly and compassionate face in public and private settings.

• Advance the mission of the DRHS through ethical practices.

• Promote and support an effective team environment, including adherence to Ethical Communication practices with staff, participants, volunteers, and community members.

• Maintain confidentiality of adopters and donors.

• Demonstrate respect, interest, compassion and caring for the animals, volunteers and community members.

• Know, and abide by, the DRHS Employee Handbook and Operating Policies and Procedures.

• Know, support and promote the Mission, Values, and Goals of the DRHS.

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Learning Outcomes

• Portfolio Building: Develop a strong portfolio of real-world design work for an established non-profit organization.

• Brand Strategy: Gain experience applying brand guidelines across multi-channel digital and print campaigns.

• Non-Profit Marketing: Learn how visual storytelling drives community engagement, adoptions, and donor support in an animal welfare setting.

 

Qualifications

• Current student or recent graduate pursuing a degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Visual Arts, Marketing, or a related field.

• Proficiency with design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) or Canva.

• Strong visual design skills with an eye for typography, layout, color theory, and composition.

• Interest in animal welfare and nonprofit work.

• Strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills with key attention to detail.

• Ability to accept constructive feedback and collaborate effectively with staff and volunteers.

• Comfortable working around shelter animals and in a fast-paced shelter environment.

• Have a steadfast belief in the mission, policies, and procedures of the DRHS.

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Working Environment:

This position will encounter regular exposure to animal odors, diseases, possible contagious conditions, bites, scratches, animal waste, and high noise levels. The work environment may require the lifting of heavy equipment, bending, twisting and stooping and for the employee to stand and /or sit for extended periods of time.

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To apply, interested students should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their interest in the internship, relevant coursework, and career aspirations to hr@dbqhumane.org

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This position will remain posted until filled. Apply today!