Internship/Pipeline Program

The City of Columbia Internship Pipeline Program in the City Manager’s Office is meant to expose both undergraduate and graduate students to career opportunities within departments at the City of Columbia. Interns will participate in department specific projects that align with their interest while also gaining workforce development/job readiness training to prepare them for careers in public service. Interns will also be assigned a mentor to shadow for additional support as they learn more about the opportunities available in the department of their interest. At the conclusion of their internship, students will create a brief presentation (capstone) for department leadership detailing their experience and the result of their projects.

The purpose of this job is to expose college students to the possibility of career advancement in public service. Interns will be placed in city departments based on their academic backgrounds and career interests, working on meaningful assignments that align with the City of Columbia’s strategic priorities. This job will also include shadowing of department staff to support their learning experience throughout the internship. Interns will participate in life and professional skill workshops that will help prepare them to enter the workforce upon graduation. At the conclusion of the internship, interns will complete a capstone project detailing their experience and knowledge base within city departments.

This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds. Included are the suggested majors aligned with the corresponding City of Columbia departments:

Government Administration

• Majors: Public Administration, Political Science, and Public Policy

• Departments: City Manager’s Office, Mayor’s Office/City Council

Business & Finance

• Majors: Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, and Economics

• Departments: Finance, Economic Development, Project Management Office (City Manager’s

Office)

Communications and Media

• Majors: Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Digital Media, and Graphic Design

• Departments: Creative Services (City Manager’s Office), Communications and Community

Engagement (City Manager’s Office)

Urban Planning, Public Health & Sustainability

• Majors: Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geography, and Social Work

• Departments: Community Development, Public Works, Utilities/Solid Waste, Sustainability, Public

Health, Housing & Neighborhood Services

Leisure, Recreation & Tourism

• Majors: Parks, Recreation, Sport & Tourism, and Hospitality Management

• Departments: Convention and Visitors Bureau and Parks & Recreation

Engineering and Infrastructure

• Majors: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biological Sciences

• Departments: Public Works, Utilities/Solid Waste, Water & Light

Technology and Data Analytics

• Majors: Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity

• Departments: Information Technology, Project Management Office (City Manager’s Office)

NOTE: A temporary position is one created and intended to exist for less than one thousand four hundred fifty (1,450) hours in any calendar year. Temporary employees have no seniority, grievance, or appeal privileges. A temporary position may be either full or part-time.

Minimum Qualifications

Essential Job Functions:

• Receives and responds to inquiries and requests for assistance from stakeholders; explains City

and department policies, procedures and programs to citizens and partners

• Assists with organizing files

• Reviews and assists with developing department literature

• Maintains records and prepares reports

• Assists with planning special events and programs for employees

• Provides administrative support to assigned supervisor, performing such duties as scheduling and performing meetings and appointments, compiling data for reports and studies, composing

and/or preparing routine and confidential reports and correspondence, etc.

• Answers the telephone; provides accurate information to callers and/or forwards calls to

appropriate personnel; takes messages as needed; greets and assists office visitors

• Performs routine clerical work, including but not limited to preparing, typing, transmitting,

copying and filing documents; sending and receiving faxes; entering and retrieving computer data; assembling materials; ordering supplies; processing daily mail; maintaining logs and lists, etc.

• Completes special projects as assigned

• Attends training, meetings, seminars, etc., as required to enhance job knowledge and skills

• Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Must be able to work a minimum of 10 hours per week.

• Applications for the Fall Semester will open in March.

• Applications for the Spring Semester will open in October.

• Applications for the Summer Semester will open in February.

MINIMUM****REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM**WORK:**

• High school diploma or GED

• Some college required; must provide current college transcript or current proof of enrollment

• Minimum GPA of 3.0

• Must have an interest in the department’s core operation, or closely related field

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office

• Must have strong communication skills and problem-solving skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and/or calculating ratios, rates

and percentages (Department Specific)

• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe

action based on such data or information

• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience,

such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may
service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner

• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem solving

• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems;

composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper
format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form

• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks prescribed by standard practices but which

may require computation, the use of several procedures, and the use of independent judgments
with obvious choices; requires normal attention for accurate results

• Ability to make frequent decisions that affect coworkers and others who depend on the service or

product

• Ability to work in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many

variations from the routine

Objectives:

• Establish structured relationship with local universities/colleges to ensure access is available for

the City of Columbia to attract top talent.

• Prepare City Departments for the next generation of workforce professionals.

• Create innovative opportunities for City Departments to fill positions with top talent in an

increasingly competitive job market.

• Diversify the qualified candidate pool as hard to fill positions continue to remain unfilled.

• Assist City Departments that are seeing an influx of retirements prepare for succession planning

through training and development.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Starting Salary

$18/hr

Open Until Filled

Yes

Deadline to Apply

Number of Positions Available

Mutliple

Notice to Applicants

Individuals needing accommodation to apply may call 573.874.CITY (2489)

TTY: 711 (MO RELAY)

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA IS A MERIT, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: MALE / FEMALE

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA REQUIRES PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING

The City of Columbia participates in the federal E-Verify work authorization program

Special Instructions to Applicants

A temporary position is one created and intended to exist for less than one thousand four hundred fifty (1,450) hours in any calendar year. Temporary employees have no seniority, grievance, or appeal privileges. A temporary position may be either full or part-time.

Hours

Average 10 hours/week