Introduction
Gain Real-World Experience While Making a Difference
The City of New Haven is seeking motivated and enthusiastic students to participate in our Student Internship Program. This program provides meaningful, hands-on experience in municipal government while allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects that support the community.
Whether you're interested in public administration, engineering, planning, finance, information technology, communications, public health, human resources, environmental sciences, or another field, the City offers internship opportunities across a variety of departments throughout the year.
Internships provide valuable work experience directly related to the student's academic field of study. Participants will be given high-level work experience that may prepare them for permanent positions in the workforce.
Student Interns are hired to provide special project related work within a variety of departments and gain hands-on experience in a field of municipal operations.
What You'll Do:
Student Interns work on project-based assignments designed to complement their academic studies and career goals. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, interns may:
Assist with research, analysis, and special projects.
Support department initiatives and community programs.
Prepare reports, presentations, and other project materials.
Participate in meetings and collaborative planning efforts.
Gain practical experience in municipal operations.
Develop professional skills through mentoring and regular feedback.
Assignments vary by department and are designed to provide valuable educational experiences but must align with the student's current course of study. When you apply for an Internship position you should indicate the department(s) for which you are interested in working, however, placement is not guaranteed.
Work Schedule
Up to 19 hours per week during the academic year.
Additional hours during summer or academic breaks may be available with City approval.
Internship length is generally one academic semester and may be extended based on departmental needs, funding, and continued student enrollment.
Why Intern with the City of New Haven?
Gain meaningful public sector experience.
Work on projects that positively impact the community.
Build your professional network.
Receive mentoring from experienced municipal professionals.
Develop skills that prepare you for future careers.
Applicants Must
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Be at least 16 years of age at the time of application.
Be currently enrolled in an accredited high school, college, or university.
Submit:
A completed City of New Haven online employment application;
A current resume and/or a letter of interest; and
Current official or unofficial transcripts demonstrating active enrollment.
Applications submitted without resume and proof of current enrollment will not be considered.
SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Unpaid Internships
While unpaid internships generally are not permitted, they will be considered and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
All unpaid internships are required to receive academic credit or acknowledgement in writing from the educational institution. Approved unpaid internships must meet these educational credit or program requirements. Documentation from the educational institution will be required. Unpaid internships must comply with all applicable federal and state labor standards.
Paid Internships
For paid internships, current hourly rates are:
High School Student: $17.15/hour
College/University Student: $18.15/hour
Graduate Student: $18.85/hour
Alternative rates may apply to approved collaborative intern programs if approved by OPMG and HR. Rates are subject to change in accordance with City policy.
Internships are not eligible to receive medical benefits, vacation pay, holiday, union membership, or union contractual benefits. Any period of internship employment will not be construed in any way to mean probationary employment. Persons may not be employed in two concurrent positions with the City and/or the Board of Education at the same time.
INTERNSHIP LENGTH
Internships will be considered and reviewed on a semester basis to ensure continuity of goals, active enrollment and to ensure that opportunities are widely available. As such, an internship will not be approved in advance for more than a semester (4 month period) at a time.
ENROLLMENT TRANSITIONS
High school graduates will remain at the high school rate through the summer following graduation and must provide proof of fall college enrollment by August 31. Failure to do so will result in separation of employment in the first week of September.
College graduates must provide proof of graduate program enrollment to continue; otherwise, internships end by the first week of September.
Graduate interns may work only while enrolled and must separate upon degree completion.
HR / OPMG may audit Students to confirm enrollment status.
REMOTE / TELEWORK
Internships are intended to provide in-person, hands-on experience in municipal operations as it relates directly to an individual’s course of study. Remote or telework assignments are not permitted for Student Interns, whether paid or unpaid.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
Depending on assignment, additional pre-employment conditions may be required, which may include fingerprinting, background checks, and drug screening, in accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy*. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.
Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.
Selection Plan
Students should indicate area of interest where prompted within the online application. Placement in preferred Department is not guaranteed.
Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources and the hiring department. Placement depends on department and operational needs, student qualifications, goals, and availability. Qualified applicants may be considered for current and future internship opportunities.
Applications submitted without resume and proof of enrollment will not be considered.
Preference will be given to those residing in New Haven.
Orientation
All interns will be required to attend HR orientation on their first day, including Connecticut’s mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, and may not begin departmental assignments until orientation is completed. Interns returning from a break in service greater than 1 year are required to attend Orientation and complete a new set of new-hire paperwork.
Code of Conduct and Workplace Expectations
Interns must adhere to all City Policies, as well as:
Dress code as defined by the department.
Time and Attendance requirements.
City of New Haven Standards of Conduct.
Interns must maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information. Interns are subject to the same confidentiality and public records requirements as City employees.
Interns must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest to their supervisor and HR immediately.
Interns will not operate any City vehicles in the course of their internship.
Violations of City Policies will result in the immediate termination of the student’s internship.
Interns may report workplace concerns to HR or through established City reporting channels without fear of retaliation.
Conclusion
