Milpitas Summer Internship Program

City of Milpitas

Milpitas, CA

TheCity of Milpitas is launching its first-ever Summer Internship Program! This is an 8-10 week internship for college students interested in learning about careers in local government. Interns will gain professional work experience to learn about City operations while developing meaningful and interdisciplinary public service knowledge and skills. The Milpitas Summer Internship Program is candidate-driven — interns will be placed based on their areas of interest, rather than by department-specific project needs — fostering genuine learning and civic engagement.

This program is open to:
College students looking for public sector work experience, andmust be:

At least eighteen (18) years old as of June 1, 2026
Currently enrolled in a degree or certification program

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIESThe Student Intern will perform a wide variety of responsible administrative and project-related work, assisting City staff with general technical and clerical tasks in the field of assignment, depending on Department placement. Placements will be determined based on the intern's areas of interest.

Intern placements may include, but are not limited to:
Community Services & Development
Interested in how cities grow, support businesses, and serve their residents? This placement will connect you to the heart of Milpitas’ planning, building safety, and economic development work. You will be placed in a primary track — Economic Development or Building Safety & Planning Operations — and gain hands-on exposure to the people, policies, and processes that shape our community.

Economic DevelopmentIn this track, you will play an active role in the City’s business attraction and retention efforts, helping businesses navigate the path from idea to operation in the City of Milpitas.Job duties may include:

Support business attraction outreach and help prospective businesses navigate the permitting process
Serve as a liaison between the Office of Economic Development, Planning, and Building Safety
Design and execute outreach campaigns as part of the City’s Small Business Development Strategy
Support the Shop Local program and initiatives that directly benefit the Milpitas business community
Conduct research on economic trends, business climate, and peer city best practices

Building Safety & Planning OperationsIn this track, you will explore the full scope of community development services, from initial land use planning to construction plan review and permitting in the City of Milpitas.Job duties may include:

Assist planners and permit center staff in responding to customer inquiries on zoning, building codes, and permitting
Support plan review staff in reviewing simple residential and commercial renovation projects
Accompany planners, building inspectors, and code enforcement officers on site visits and field inspections
Prepare zoning maps and diagrams using GIS
Develop basic design guidelines using AutoCAD based on building codes and structural requirements
Create public-facing resources to educate the community on land use and permitting procedures
Assist with organizing electronic files and departmental documentation

Emergency Planning & Preparedness
Are you drawn to public safety and community resilience? This placement offers a unique window into how the City of Milpitas prepares for and responds to emergencies. You’ll be embedded with the Fire Department’s Emergency Management team and have the opportunity to explore operations across thePolice Department as well.

Job duties may include:

Assist the Emergency Management Coordinator with disaster preparedness planning, drills, and documentation
Support development or review of emergency operations plans and continuity of operations materials
Explore Police Department operations including Records, Dispatch, Property, Investigations, and Community Relations
Participate in community outreach and public education on emergency preparedness
Shadow first responders and observe how Fire and Police coordinate on incident response
Assist with grant research or reporting related to emergency management funding

People & Business Operations
Are you interested in seeing how a city supports its workforce and manages the business functions? This placement shows you the heart of the City of Milpitas’ efforts to maintain and strengthen its workforce and essential financial services. You will be placed in a primary track — Finance & Accounts Payable orHuman Resources— and gain hands-on exposure to the people, systems, and processes that keep the City organization strong.
Finance & Accounts Payable
In this track, you will support the City’s financial operations and learn how public funds are managed with accuracy, transparency, and care. You’ll work closely with finance staff to help maintain essential payment, vendor, and accounting functions.

Job duties may include:

Assist with accounts payable processing, including invoice review, coding, and payment preparation
Support vendor file maintenance, verification, and compliance documentation
Help reconcile payments, research discrepancies, and ensure timely and accurate disbursements
Maintain financial data systems and help ensure data accuracy and completeness
Collaborate with departments to support citywide purchasing and payment operations

Human Resources
In this track, you will explore how the City recruits, develops, and supports its workforce. You’ll gain exposure to the full range of HR services that shape the employee experience and strengthen organizational culture.

Job duties may include:

Support recruitment, onboarding, and candidate outreach activities
Assist with employee engagement programs, training coordination, or recognition efforts
Contribute to workforce analytics, reporting, and process improvement projects
Participate in policy review, procedure updates, or organizational development initiatives
Create public-facing or internal resources to support HR programs and services

Transportation & Public Works
Are you interested in how cities move? This internship is based in the Engineering Division and offers a focused experience in transportation planning, traffic engineering, and infrastructure. You will have the opportunity to contribute to real projects that shape how residents and visitors navigate Milpitas — while gaining broader exposure to the full range of Public Works operations.
Job duties may include:

Support transportation planning and traffic engineering studies and data collection
Assist with review of traffic impact analyses, signal timing, and roadway design plans
Help coordinate with regional transportation agencies and Caltrans on active projects
Shadow field staff on infrastructure inspections and maintenance activities
Gain exposure to Utilities, Environmental Services, and other Public Works functions
Assist with public-facing materials and community engagement related to transportation projects

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Age Requirement: Must be at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of hire: June 1, 2026.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or vocational degree/certification program from an accredited college or university.
- Verification of education will be required prior to being hired for this position.
Experience: No work experience is required.
Driver's License: Depending on Department placement, this position mayneed to travel to different locations in Milpitas.
- Possession of a valid State of California Driver's License maybe required for some placements.

JOB INFORMATION

Hourly Pay Range:$18.20 - $30.00
- Hourly pay will be determined by relevant education and experience.
Work Hours: Typically 5-20 hours per week, or no more than 999 hours worked in a fiscal year (July-June)
Schedule: Part-time and flexible during regular business hours (Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM)
- Primarily on-site at Milpitas City Hall or another City facility;
- Work schedule will be determined by the Department and the Intern's availability.
Employment Status: Unbenefited and unrepresented.
Internship Duration:
- Start Date: June 1, 2026
- End Date: August 2026 (Flexible based on academic and work schedule)

HOW TO APPLY
Create an account or login to GovernmentJobs.com
Click the Apply button to begin.

Complete the Education Section in full.
- We encourage you to list any previous and current college or university enrollments.
Upload a professional resume in the Attachments Section of the application.
- Please include any clubs, school projects, volunteering, and other activities that relate to your field of interest.
Supplemental Questionnaire: In 350 words or less, tell us what interests you about the Milpitas Summer Internshipopportunity!
- Your response will be used in the application screening process, so please take some time to write your story in your own words.
Make sure to click the Submit button.
You will receive an automatic Thank You message via email after submitting your application.

Submit your application before the closing date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Late applications or revisions to your application will not be accepted after the closing date.

Panel Interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for the week of May 4, 2026 via Zoom.

SELECTION PROCESSThe selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.Please note: The examination process (including dates) may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Department. Meeting the minimum requirements listed in this job description does not guarantee advancement in subsequent phases of the selection process.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment:
Ability to work in a standard office environment and outdoors; repetitive keyboarding; ability to take notes at a rapid speed; able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Milpitas. Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 lbs.

Questions? Contact us at HRRecruitment@milpitas.gov

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Milpitas will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Department.

The City of Milpitas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.