College students keen to learn about municipal government are encouraged to apply for Jefferson City's summer internship program, Director of Human Resources Gail Strope said Wednesday.
Applications are being received until March 12, Strope said.
"The city internship program was originally created in 2007 to give college students a broad understanding of municipal government," Strope said. "The program has been suspended the last three years due to funding, but has been brought back this year.
"Over the years, we have had between four and 10 students per summer participating in the program, with funding for up to eight this year," she explained. The internships pay $8 per hour. Interns must have completed their sophomore year of college and are entering either their junior or senior year in the fall 2017 semester.
"This has been a very popular program, with interns placed in every department over the years," Strope added. Opportunities this summer include administration, human resources, information technology, geographic information systems (GIS), engineering, surveying, police, fire, planning, and various areas within parks and recreation.
The internships have basic qualifications, grouped as physical and mental. On the physical side, applicants must possess the ability to sit for extended periods at a computer, life and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, traverse rough terrain and work in extreme weather conditions. On the mental side, applicants must possess the ability to operate various office machinery and computers, establish and maintain effective working relationships, prioritize and organize work, work with the public in a calm and efficient manner, manage multiple tasks, understand and carry out oral and written instructions; and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
The internships run eight weeks and the work is primarily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but may vary depending on the work schedule of the area to which the intern is assigned.
Strope noted the applications may be filed online at www.jeffersoncitymo.org.