Make a difference in America’s fifth largest city • Develop management skills in the largest council-manager municipality.
Be part of a 70-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. More than 205 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:
- Research upcoming fare collection and smart card expansion project;
- Participate in Request for Proposal process for textile recycling, which promotes waste diversion;
- Provide research, data, and recommendations addressing micro transit, Bus Rapid Transit funding, community outreach, and stakeholder opportunities for partnerships such as Local First Arizona;
- Assist in project addressing staffing levels in the Water Services department;
- Monitor new contractor providing services to senior citizens and evaluating their performance in delivering customer service.
Salary and Benefits
The 2020-21 Management Internship compensation includes a salary of $21.80 per hour ($45,344 annually) and
benefits.
After the Program: Building a Career
More than 205 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, Public Works Director, Public Transit Director, Neighborhood Services Director, Deputy City Clerk, Deputy Public Works Director, and Parks and Recreation Assistant 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 ($45,344 - $68,827)
- Management Assistant II ($61,069 - $92,976)
Become a Management Intern
Requirements
A master's degree or the completion of all coursework towards a master's degree before the start of the year-long program.
How to Apply
The recruitment for the 2020-21 intern program concluded January 2020. Recruitment for the 2021-22 program will commence November 2020.
The Selection Process
- We typically receive more than 100 applications a year from talented individuals of all backgrounds from throughout the United States and the city organization.
- The city 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.
- In 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 1.6 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.
