Opportunity Academy Intern

NYC School Construction Authority; New York (NY); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Opportunity Academy Internship is a year-long program by NYC SCA that combines an 18-week paid training with placement into SCA mentor and graduate firms and other departments for up to 32 weeks. Interns may work 20 hours per week during training, with potential for full-time hours during the peak summer season.

The program supports MWLBEs by assisting back-office operations, including bid documentation, payments, schedules, change orders, and closeout documents, helping develop transferable

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Authorization to work in the United States and strong English communication.
• One year minimum work experience, preferably in an office or customer service setting.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Assist MWLBEs with back-office operations and required submissions for the SCA and local government agencies.
• Develop workforce skills to compete as business development professionals.
• Prepare and submit bid documentation, requests for payments, project schedules, change orders and closeout documents.
• Support internship placement processes from May 2027 and ensure attendance in training sessions.

Skills

Communication skills

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

Build your career while building NYC schools! The Opportunity Academy Internship is a year-long program where participants are selected to participate in an eighteen (18) week paid training program led by public construction and procurement professionals currently working with the SCA and the New York City construction industry. Participants receive graded assignments, practical exercises, and tests based on the material covered throughout the training. After completing OA training, participants receive internship placements with SCA Mentor and Mentor Graduate firms, construction management firms, and various departments within the SCA for up to thirty-six (32) weeks. Interns may work twenty (20) hours per week, with the potential for full-time hours during the SCA’s peak summer season.

Job Description

To assist minority-owned, woman-owned, and locally based business enterprises (MWLBEs) enrolled in the SCA’s Mentor programs in their back‑office operations, including the various submissions (i.e., bid documentation, requests for payments, project schedules, change orders, closeout documents) required by the SCA and other local government agencies. The development of a workforce with transferable job skills enabling them to compete as business development professionals trained to prepare and submit documentation required to access government contracting opportunities, especially in public construction.

Program Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Authorization to work in the United States
• Proficiency in English and strong communication skills
• One (1) year minimum work experience (preferably in an office or customer service setting)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Participants must be available to attend In‑Person training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. beginning in December 2026.
• Participants must be available for internship placement for at least twenty (20) hours per week beginning in May 2027.

Salary: Participants earn $17 per hour throughout training, with an increase once internship placements begin.

POSTING CLOSING DATE: October 30th, 2026

Visit the SCA Linkedin Page for Additional Information https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyc-school-construction-authority/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true

Education

• High school diploma or its educational equivalent (Required)

Certifications (if required)

Work Experience

• One (1) year of full time clerical or administrative experience.

It is the policy of the New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA) to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizen status, physical or mental disability, race religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

In addition, the NYCSCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

The New York City School Construction Authority participates in the federal E‑Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E‑Verify program, please click here: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees

The School Construction Authority's (SCA) mission is to design and construct safe, attractive and environmentally sound public schools for children throughout the many communities of New York City. We are dedicated to building and modernizing schools in a responsible, cost-effective manner while achieving the highest standards of excellence in safety, quality and integrity.