Web Communications (NCRD Intern)

About the Organization

The Salvation Army is an international movement and an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its mission is to meet human needs without discrimination. National Headquarters (NHQ) supports the work of The Salvation Army across the United States and internationally by providing leadership, resources, and strategic support to territorial and local operations.

JOB SUMMARY

The Salvation Army National Headquarters is seeking a motivated, detail‑oriented Web Communications Intern to support a defined set of summer web projects focused on website migration, front‑end modernization, and technical documentation. This internship is project‑based and designed to provide hands‑on experience migrating production websites from legacy cPanel hosting environments to Google Cloud–based infrastructure, while improving front‑end code quality, usability, and long‑term maintainability.

The intern will work closely with the National Web Manager to modernize existing websites by updating HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive layouts, assisting with CMS integration where appropriate, and creating clear documentation to support future maintenance. In addition to migration work, the intern may assist with limited content management and support tasks for the national website and select program or conference websites.

This role is best suited for a student pursuing a future career in web development or front‑end engineering who is comfortable working independently, managing multiple tasks, and learning through hands‑on problem solving. The intern may work up to 25 hours per week during standard business hours (schedule flexible except for Wednesdays – must be in office).

Key Responsibilities

• This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive. The intern may be asked to perform related duties as needed in support of National Web initiatives.
• Work with the National Web Manager to migrate existing production websites from legacy cPanel hosting environments to Google Cloud–based hosting, supporting tasks such as site validation, deployment coordination, and post‑migration testing.
• Audit existing website codebases and structures to identify outdated patterns, technical debt, and opportunities for front‑end modernization.
• Refactor and update front‑end code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Bootstrap‑based layouts) to align with modern responsive design, accessibility, and usability best practices.
• Assist in integrating or enhancing Content Management System (CMS) components to improve internal content management workflows and long‑term sustainability.
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation related to site migrations, hosting configurations, front‑end standards, and ongoing maintenance needs.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with managing and updating content on the national website (salvationarmyusa.org) as directed.
• Provide limited support for program‑specific or initiative websites, including the Better Together conference website, as needed.
• Participate in internal web team meetings, vendor calls, or hosting support discussions when appropriate.
• Troubleshoot basic front‑end or post‑migration issues and escalate more complex issues to the Web Manager.
• Ensure all work follows organizational branding guidelines, style guides, and documentation standards.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

• Computer

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Junior/Senior undergraduate student pursuing a degree in web development, computer science, information systems, digital media, or a related field.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of front‑end web technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design principles
• Familiarity with Bootstrap and/or modern front-end frameworks preferred.
• Basic understanding of cloud hosting platforms (e.g., Google Cloud) preferred.
• Experience working with Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress or similar platforms preferred.
• Understanding of website performance optimization and basic SEO principles.
• Awareness of web accessibility, usability, and performance best practices.
• Proficiency with Office 365 suite and remote collaboration tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a structured environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Ability to gather, compile, and document technical information clearly and professionally.
• Ability to work independently with minimal day‑to‑day supervision while meeting deadlines and quality standards.
• Ability to learn new tools, platforms, and workflows quickly through hands‑on application.
• Ability to prioritize work and adapt to shifting project needs within a structured project framework.
• Ability to follow organizational standards, branding guidelines, and documentation practices.
• Ability to handle sensitive or internal information with discretion and professionalism.