ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The city of Phoenix Management Intern Program has been attracting outstanding individuals to government service since 1950. If you are interested in a career in public administration, this one-year, full-time program is an excellent opportunity to experience a variety of innovative management systems; gain exposure to many of the issues facing a large, well-run city government; and develop important professional skills. Established in 1950, our program is one of the most respected local government training programs in the United States. It is designed to attract, develop, and retain innovative people in local government.

THE YEAR-LONG PROGRAM

City Manager Frank Fairbanks (right) and Deputy City Manager David Cavazos (left) review downtown redevelopment projects with Carl Cephas, intern.

A Wide Range of Experiences If selected, you will work in the City Manager's Office, the Budget and Research Department, and a department that provides direct service to the community. You will also work on a wide-array of projects and assignments that will develop and refine your professional skills. Past completed projects include: Researching and coordinating outreach activities to increase the diversity of community leaders on public arts boards, Analyzing best practices to implement a pilot program to apprehend graffiti vandals, and Developing a department budget.

Professional Development

This program gives you the opportunity to observe firsthand the efforts of a large city government to resolve some of its most pressing issues. You will also staff administrative and community committees and attend City Council and management policy meetings. You will be able to network with the city's top officials and managers through one-on-one meetings. You also will have the opportunity to attend local and regional professional conferences during the year, where you can meet and network with government professionals from throughout the Southwest.

Salary and Benefits

• While the salary schedule for the 2008-2009 fiscal year is not in place, the present salary range is $35,318 - $52,603 annually. City employees who are in a higher salary range would remain at their current rate of pay throughout the program.
• The city's comprehensive benefits package includes medical and dental insurance, city-sponsored training, and seminar/tuition reimbursement. For more information, please visit phoenix.gov/JOBSPECS/bene007.html.

AFTER THE PROGRAM: BUILDING A CAREER

Assistant City Manager Alton Washington (left) and Deputy City Manager Rick Naimark discuss budget issues with Rebecca Velarde, intern.

Our 179 former participants have achieved success in all levels of government. Many of our top-level executives began their career with the city in this program. Examples of positions held by former participants within the city of Phoenix include:

• Deputy City Manager
• Chief of Staff to the Mayor
• Executive Assistant to the City Manager
• Assistant to the City Manager
• Development Services Director
• Housing Director
• Acting Water Services Director
• Assistant Aviation Director
• Assistant Public Works Director
• Numerous Department Deputy Directors

Successful interns are highly recruited by city departments to fill available city jobs, although a city job after the internship is not guaranteed. After successfully performing all assigned duties, interns will be placed on the management assistant I eligible list at the conclusion of the year. The position is the entry level to the following career track:.

• Management Assistant I ($43,202 - $64,314 in the 2007-2008 fiscal year)
• Management Assistant II ($58,178 - $86,882 in the 2007-2008 fiscal year)

BECOME A MANAGEMENT INTERN

Requirements

• A master's degree or the completion of all coursework towards a master's degree by June 30, 2008.

How to Apply

• Application materials can be obtained at phoenix.gov/jobs or by calling 602-262-6277.
• All completed application materials must be received by 8 a.m. (MST) Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, via e-mail (management.intern@phoenix.gov) or at the city's Application Office (Management Intern Search, City of Phoenix, 135 N. Second Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003).

The Selection Process

• The program typically receives approximately 100 applicants with diverse backgrounds and from throughout the United States. Current city employees are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants are evaluated on all materials submitted in the application packet, including presentation of requested information and job-related factors such as writing skills, communication skills and problem solving abilities. Only the highest qualified applicants will be invited to a two-day interview process.
• The city typically selects two to four candidates each year.
• Selections will be made in the spring of 2008 for the 2008-09 program.

Deputy City Manager Cynthia Seelhammer (center) and Neighborhood Services Director Jerome Miller (left) discuss strategies for eliminating graffiti with Jahaziel Linare, intern.

ABOUT PHOENIX

Phoenix covers more than 516 square miles and has a population of more than 1.5 million, ranking it fifth in population size in the United States. While Phoenix is the corporate and industrial center of the Southwest, it has retained its long-time reputation of friendliness and concern of its residents for one another and their government..

Vibrant Downtown Core

The city has recently showcased many new projects and activities in its increasingly vibrant downtown core. The city has theatres, major sports arenas, a newly expanded Phoenix Convention Center, the new Phoenix Biomedical Campus, and the continually expanding Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus and University of Arizona College of Medicine. Connecting the downtown core to the rest of the Phoenix area will be the new light rail mass transit system, which is scheduled to open in December 2008.

Council-Manager Form of Government

Phoenix operates under a council-manager form of government. The Phoenix City Council is comprised of a mayor and eight council members, who serve as the legislative and policymaking body of the municipal government.

The city manager works closely with the mayor and council members to assist them in formulating policies and programs. Overseeing more than 15,000 city employees, the manager is responsible for the efficient ongoing operation of all city services as set forth by the City Council. Interns will have the opportunity to work in the City Manager's Office with the city manager, the assistant city manager, and deputy city managers on various projects.

An Award-Winning City

The work of the City Council, city staff and many community volunteers has earned Phoenix much recognition over the years, both nationally and internationally.

Honored for its commitment to excellence, Governing magazine recognized Phoenix as the best-managed city in the United States in 2000. Phoenix received this acclaim for its success in the areas of human resource management, capital management, managing for results, financial management, and information technology management. Phoenix also was recognized by Financial World magazine as the best financially managed city in the United States in 1995.

In addition to its four All-America City titles, Phoenix won the 1993 Carl Bertelsmann Prize, a prestigious international competition that recognized the best-run city government in the world. Phoenix, which shared the prize with Christchurch, New Zealand, was praised for its highly efficient and customer-oriented programs.

In 2003, Phoenix was selected the winner of the City Cultural Diversity Award for cities with populations over 400,000. The city was recognized for setting a strong example of how cities can improve and promote cultural diversity in their communities.

Phoenix won national recognition in 2004 as the most accessible-friendly city in the National Organization on Disabilities Third Annual Accessible America Contest. Phoenix was recognized for its focus on disability issues and successful design of accessible programs, services and facilities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Recruitment for the 2009-10 program will begin in November 2008. For questions on next year’s process, contact budget.research@phoenix,gov or 602-262-4800 (TTY relay 602-534-5500).

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Last Modified on 09/11/2008 13:17:41