Intern: Public Works - Water Resources Planning & Program

City of Lacey; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lacey offers a paid internship in Public Works: Administration to learn local government operations and gain practical experience. The role supports project documentation, filing systems, and routine admin tasks under supervision.

Successful interns have a high school diploma or are enrolled in related post-secondary studies, with a willingness to learn and meet deadlines in a team setting.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with related public service experience.
• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program related to City Department work.
• Recent graduate within 12 months with a related degree.

Responsibilities

• Performs basic filing duties in support of assigned team.
• Assist with document control activities and maintaining project records.
• Maintain electronic and physical filing systems and data entry.
• Collaborate with team members to track documentation requirements and deadlines.
• Assist with process improvement initiatives related to document management.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Team player

Data entry

Education

High School Diploma

Post-secondary enrollment

Recent related degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Reporting to a manager or supervisor position within a City Department, under close supervision, the intern position will perform basic or general tasks in support of an assigned section. This position is designed to provide recent high school graduates, current college students or recent college graduates (within the last 12 months) an opportunity to learn about local government and gain valuable work experience toward their chosen career path goal(s).

The intern job classification for all City Departments may be established as a temporary full-time or part-time hourly position.

*The temporary full-time intern works less than five (5) consecutive months in a full-time schedule during a calendar year. The position is hourly, and is not eligible for retirement or medical benefits.

*The part-time hourly intern works less than five (5) months in a full-time schedule during a calendar year, and the rest of the months the hours of work are limited to less than 70 per month. The position is hourly, and is not eligible for retirement or medical benefits.

Please note: The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make changes to this posting at any time.

In-person interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 10, 2026.

*This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next six (6) months.

These duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs basic filing duties in support of assigned team.
• Perform tasks in support of assigned individual projects, which includes use of Microsoft Suite products (e.g. MS Word, Outlook and Excel).

Public Works: Administration

• Review and organize project documents and records.
• Assists with organizing and maintaining, project documents and records to ensure accuracy and, consistency with organizational standards.
• Assist with document control activities, including file organization, naming conventions, version control, and record retention.
• Assist withpreparing, updating, reviewing and distributing forms, reports, and other project documentation.
• Maintain electronic and physical filing systems and perform data entry and recordkeeping activities.
• Collaborate with team members to help track documentation requirements, support project deliverables, and meet deadlines.
• Assist with process improvement initiatives related to document management, information organization, and administrative workflows.

Other Duties Assigned

• Performs other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover for absences.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A High School Diploma or Equivalent and some experience working or volunteering in public service agency, or other related community service-oriented business

OR

Currently enrolled in a post-secondary educational program related to a field that relates to the City Department or program area of work

OR

A recent graduate (within the last 12 months) with an Associates/Bachelor/OR Master degree in a field that relates to City Department or program area of work.

* May have a combination of experience, education, and training that would substitute for the above requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSE(S):

• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follows all required safety policies, procedures and techniques.
• Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the City at time of hire OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites.
• Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the immigration Reform and Control Act.
• Must be considering a profession related to some aspect of the City's business objectives.

Knowledge of:

• Basic quantitative skills, including math, logic, and statistics.
• Personal computer operation, including Windows, MS Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.) and database applications.

• Project planning, organization, and coordination.
• Modern office practices, procedures, technology, and equipment.

Skill in:

• Word processing, spreadsheet and/or database programs.
• Managing and prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Basic research, analysis, and composition of a variety of documents, clearly communicating information to an intended audience.

Ability to:

• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Work independently and with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated mathematical proficiency.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others and be an effective team member.
• Operate basic office equipment.
• Perform data entry tasks and maintain records as assigned.
• Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Warmly greet the public and co-workers and clearly convey a sincere willingness to be of service and/or be open to resolving the situation.
• Clearly explains self or answers when necessary and ensure message is easily understood.
• Close all contacts courteously and appropriately.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, and strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Represent the City of Lacey in a professional manner during all interactions.