Student Intern, Level IV

County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Part time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara seeks student interns across departments to gain hands-on experience while contributing to real projects. Interns are closely supervised and can advance in level and pay based on education and operational needs.

Eligibility includes legal work status in the United States, enrollment in an accredited institution (or recent grad within six months), minimum 2.5 GPA, and submission of required documents. Work hours are capped at 1,040 per fiscal year.

Qualifications

• Eligible applicants must be legally able to work in the United States.
• Enrolled in an accredited institution or recently graduated within six months.
• GPA requirement: 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Submit completed application, unofficial transcript, and enrollment proof.

Responsibilities

• Assist professional staff with data collection and reports.
• Learn department policies and procedures under supervision.
• Participate in team analysis and project work.
• Support interns program outreach and coordination.

Skills

English communication

Interpersonal skills

Travel willingness

Education

Enrolled in accredited college/university

Graduated within last six months

Tools

Common computer systems

Job description

Important Note: Applications are reviewed on an as-needed basis as departments submit requests. After six (6) months, the application is inactivated; however, you may re-apply to the program. If additional information is required or your application is accepted into the program, you will receive an email. If you are interested in interning with a specific department, please reach out to them directly.

The Student Intern classification is a County-wide classification. Duties are defined by the internship level and the various departments to which the students are assigned. Students can advance in both level and pay based on education and operational needs.

The Student Internship Program nurtures the educational and professional development of promising job candidates, which may lead to a longer retention of the individual as a County employee. A successful internship program enhances the County's image among the student population, encouraging more students to apply in the future.

Level IV Student Interns are closely supervised and work as assistants. Students are responsible for learning the Agency's or Department's policies, procedures, and methods of operations; collecting and tabulating data; and learning how to interpret such. Level IV Student Interns can evaluate information gained in accordance with established policies and procedures and assist professional staff in ongoing project work in an increasingly responsible role. Students participate in the team analysis of problems and the preparation of reports under the supervision of professionals.

Level IV Student Intern, under the supervision of professionals, assumes responsibility for preliminary studies, analysis, and recommendations on systems, devices, machines, and procedures of the Agency/Department.

Student Eligibility:

• Have a legal right to work in the United States;
• Be enrolled in an accredited institution or a school licensed by a state agency or have graduated from such an institution or school within the last six months;
• Have an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale;
• Submit a completed application for employment, unofficial transcript, and proof of enrollment or course schedule for the current school session.

Verification and Audit Procedures:

• Prior to hiring a student or recent graduate into one of the intern classifications, departments need to verify both the student's status with the school and enrollment in a defined program of study that is aligned with the intern position that the student will fill.
• Departmental use of these classifications will be subject to audit by ESA Human Resources to ensure that they are being used for the defined purposes of introducing the County to students as a potential employer and providing practical work experience to local students.
• The recent graduate category will be monitored to ensure that no one is working as an intern longer than six months following graduation.
• Hours per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) are limited to 1,040. Work can be performed full‑time during the summer and/or part‑time during the school year, with the proposed work schedule approved by the Agency.
• For non‑521 Student Interns, each hour of work counts toward the non‑521 extra help County‑wide cap. For a Student Intern‑521, each hour of work will be counted at half the rate of the County's total 521 extra‑help cap.

Special Requirements:

• High school students under 18 years of age must obtain a work permit prior to employment.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• May be required to pass a background check.
• May be required to pass a physical exam.

Knowledge of:

• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public and other agencies;
• Understand, interpret and apply instructions, rules and regulations;
• Carry out oral and written instructions;
• Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.