Pathways to Public Service Fellowship

Please Note: Applications for this position will include the following:

• Please include one (1) letter of recommendation and an unofficial school transcript with your application
• Please plan to provide essay-format question responses to the Supplemental Questions listed on this job advertisement
   

The City of Raleigh operates Partnership Raleigh, a workforce development initiative and public-private partnership between the City of Raleigh municipal government, local businesses, and the non-profit community. Partnership Raleigh interns may attend either two-year, four-year, vocational/technical, or certificate education programs.

Interns gain a valuable workforce development experience in a professional setting while working in City of Raleigh departments and divisions experiencing hard-to-fill staff vacancies, fulfilling critical City of Raleigh employee recruitment and retention needs. City departments such as Raleigh Police, Raleigh Fire, IT, HR, and Public Utilities will be specific focus areas for Partnership Raleigh intern worksites.

While the City of Raleigh values a diverse workplace that is representative of the residents we serve and is inclusive of all interested applicants, a primary goal of this program is recruiting and hiring those who may be underrepresented in various fields of employment.

Partnership Raleigh Pathways to Public Service Fellows Program is a three-month cohort-based program targeted to college juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students 25 and under who are interested in gaining real-world, professional work experience in municipal government. Through a combination of workshops and mentorship. hands-on projects, and networking opportunities, fellows will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in various roles within the public sector.

As a Pathways to Public Service Fellow, students will work closely with experienced municipal government professionals, contribute to important projects, and develop valuable skills in public administration.

We are seeking personable and highly motivated fellows to work 20-30 hours a week during a  3-month fellowship from May 18 through August 7, 2026. This is a hybrid internship (both virtual and in-person) and is project-based to provide experiential learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

This fellowship will equip undergraduate college juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students 25 and under who are interested in a public-sector career with the skills to excel in local government roles. Throughout the fellowship, fellows will:

• Identify and address issues while working on a capstone project to provide opportunities for improvement and/or solutions in local governance
• Use problem-solving and critical thinking skills to deepen their understanding of local government operations for effective decision-making
• Work with City staff from various departments, which could include the City Manager's Office, Housing and Neighborhoods Department, the Office of Sustainability, Transportation, Stormwater, Planning and Development, Solid Waste Services, Engineering Services, Procurement, IT, and Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

Typical Qualifications

This internship program has the following requirements:

• Access to a computer and a reliable internet connection, as well as access to reliable transportation for commuting to work
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and databases, with the ability to navigate Microsoft Teams
• Excellent written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills
• Working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Solid organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work 20-30 hours a week for the duration of the 3-month program
• Please include one (1) letter of recommendation and an unofficial school transcript with your application

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to gather, interpret, and present information effectively
• Commitment to professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality
• Experience working in a hybrid schedule environment
• Currently live, work, or attend college/university in the Raleigh and/or Triangle Region (this is not required to apply)

Additional Information

Strong candidates will have academic majors in political science, public administration, business administration, urban planning, policy, economics, sociology, psychology, environmental science, communications, public relations, information technology, social work, criminal justice, geographic science, earth sciences, sustainability, geographic Information systems, data analytics, engineering, and parks, recreation and tourism, or a related field.

ADA and Other Requirements:
City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.