Make a difference in America’s fifth largest city. • Develop management skills in the best run city in the U.S.
Be part of a 68-year-old tradition. • Gain exposure to city operations.
Be part of a city thriving on innovation, excellent service, community engagement and sustainability.
The City of Phoenix Management Intern Program is a nationally recognized program that has been training future municipal leaders since 1950. This will be the 68th class of the program. More than 179 former participants have achieved success in all levels of government as well as in the private sector. If you are interested in a rewarding and challenging public service career, this is an excellent opportunity to apply to work in an award-winning, world-renowned municipal corporation in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States.
Our full-time program is similar to a one-year, paid fellowship. The annual recruitment is open to talented individuals holding a master’s degree or those who will satisfactorily complete all coursework for a master’s degree by the end of June each year. City employees are encouraged to apply.
The program is designed to attract, develop and retain talented individuals with an interest in a local government management career. This program gives selected participants the opportunity to observe firsthand the efforts of a large city government working to resolve some of its most pressing issues. Our program is unparalleled in terms of the opportunities participants will have to meet and network with executives and managers. Successful participants are highly recruited by departments to fill available city jobs, and many of our top-level executives began their career with the city in this program.
The Year-Long Program
A Wide Range of Experiences
If selected, you will learn about every facet of a large, urban, complex city operation from the ground up. During this exciting, and fast-paced year, you will:
- work on a variety of assignments and projects that affect our community of 1.6 million residents.
- gain exposure to innovative best practices in an our award-winning organization through your rotations in the City Manager’s Office and a department that provides direct service to the community.
- participate in the process of setting city policy by staffing City Council meetings.
- use research and writing skills by studying an issue, recommending solutions and drafting a management report.
- work directly with residents and city staff on service delivery to the public.
Some of the projects completed by past participants include:
- Conducting benchmark studies on weighted voting in regional governments;
- Assisting in developing the city’s Sustainability Action Plan;
- Analyzing best practices for apprehending real time graffiti vandals;
- Developing a project-tracking database for the 2010 Census Complete Count Committee activities.
Salary and Benefits
The 2017-18 Management Internship compensation includes a salary of $21.48 per hour ($44,678 annually) and benefits.
After the Program: Building a Career
More than 179 former interns have achieved success in all levels of government and the private sector. Many of our top-level executives and managers began their career with the city in this program including city manager, deputy city manager, public transit director, assistant public works director, deputy city clerk, deputy public transit director, and deputy public works director.
Successful interns are highly recruited by city departments to fill available city jobs though a city job after the internship is not guaranteed. The management intern position is the entry level to the following career track:
- Management Assistant I ($44,678 - $66,518)
- Management Assistant II ($60,174 - $89,856)
Become a Management Intern
Requirements
A master's degree or the completion of all coursework towards a master's degree by the end of June 2018.
How to Apply
The next recruitment for the 2018-19 internship program will begin Fall 2017. A detailed listing of application requirements and how to apply will be posted to the city's current job opportunities portal.
The Selection Process
- We typically receive more than 125 applications a year from talented individuals of all backgrounds from throughout the United States and the city organization.
- The city usually selects two individuals a year. They will work together as a class and on individual assignments throughout the program year.
- Application packets will be evaluated on all completed materials submitted. This will include successful presentation of requested information and job-related factors such as writing skills and commitment to public service or local government.
- The results of the initial screening process will be sent to your primary email address.
- March, 8-12 semifinalists will be invited to an interview.
- Selections are anticipated to be made in April.
About Phoenix
Phoenix covers nearly 520 square miles and has a population of more than 1.5 million, ranking it fifth in the United States. While Phoenix is the corporate and industrial center in the Southwest, it has retained its long-time reputation of friendliness and citizen involvement in government.
Vibrant Downtown Core
The city has many new projects and activities in its increasingly vibrant downtown core. Downtown Phoenix features theatres, major sports arenas, an expanded Phoenix Convention Center, the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, and the growing Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus and University of Arizona College of Medicine. Connecting the downtown core to the rest of the Phoenix area is the expanding light rail transit system.
A Great Place To Live
Our 300 days of sunshine a year provide the perfect landscape for experiencing the rich diversity of things to see and do in Phoenix. We have everything from world-class hotels and resorts to exhilarating adventure, breath-taking golf courses, trendy shopping, modern nightlife and enriching culture. About one in four residents belong to an emerging ethnic group, bringing traditions, beliefs and values that enhance the city’s social fabric. We are home to the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Valley hosted the 2008 and 2015 Super Bowls, the 2009 NBA All-Star game, the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, and the 2017 NCAA Final Four Men's Basketball Game.
Council-Manager Form of Government
Phoenix operates under a council-manager form of government. The Phoenix City Council is comprised of the 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 approximately 14,300 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 both national and international recognition over the years. In 2017, Phoenix was named the Top Performing City Overall by Governing and Living Cities through the first-ever national “Equipt to Innovate” survey.
The city has won many awards and honors, including the prestigious Carl Bertelsmann Award for being the best-run city government in the world and a “best-managed city” designation by Governing Magazine. The National Civic League has selected Phoenix as an “All-America City” five times.
The 2012 Community Attitude Survey showed 87 percent of Phoenix residents were satisfied with the city’s service delivery and 93 percent of residents rated Phoenix as a good place to live.
The 2011 Employee Opinion Survey showed 93 percent of city employees rated Phoenix as a good place to work.
For More Information
For program questions, contact Mayra Baquera in the Budget and Research Department at 602-262-4800 (Arizona 711 Relay Friendly), or by e-mail at budget.research@phoenix.gov. For personnel or application-related questions, contact the Human Resources Department at 602-262-6277.
