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Job Description
Description
City of Palo Alto 2025 Summer Internship Program
Are you ready to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and make an impact in one of the most innovative cities in the world? The City of Palo Alto invites you to apply for our 2025 Summer Internship Program! Whether you're interested in public policy, sustainability, engineering, technology, or community engagement, there's an opportunity for you.
Why Intern with Us?
Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley,” is a leading center for innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Home to Stanford University, world-renowned tech companies, and an engaged community, the City blends history, cutting-edge progress, and public service excellence. With 36 parks, 41 miles of trails, and five libraries, Palo Alto is a place where people don’t just work—they thrive.
Interns will gain mentorship, hands-on training, and career-building opportunities while contributing to meaningful projects that impact the community.
What You'll Gain:- Real-world experience in your chosen field
- Skill development in leadership, communication, data analysis, project management, and more
- Networking opportunities with city officials, professionals, and fellow interns
- The chance to make an impact in an engaged and forward-thinking community
Who Should Apply?- Students who are curious, motivated, and eager to learn
- Those enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (or recent grads looking to gain experience)
- Individuals with a passion for public service, innovation, and problem-solving
Internship Highlights & Events:- City Orientation & Tour - Meet city leaders and explore Palo Alto
- Leadership Development Workshops - Build skills and career insights
- Networking Events - Connect with professionals and peers
- Industry Panels & Q&A Sessions - Learn from experts across sectors
- Exclusive Site Visits & Field Trips - Get exclusive access to the inner workings of Palo Alto! Explore behind the scenes at key city operations, including the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, and other essential municipal facilities, gaining insights into how the city functions and innovates.
- Closing Ceremony & Reception - Celebrate your summer achievements
Internship Opportunities by Department
This year, we are offering exciting opportunities across multiple city departments, where interns will contribute to real projects that make a difference. Apply directly to the department that best aligns with your interests!
City Manager’s Office - Gain hands-on experience in public administration, communications, and leadership while supporting key city initiatives.- One intern will focus on communications and community engagement, as well as public policy, research, and City government processes.
- The second intern will concentrate on economic development, diversity and inclusion, and legislative and international affairs.
Interns will assist with digital communications, social media, research, and strategic projects that drive engagement and policy development.
This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in public policy, communications, economic development, and government affairs to develop real-world skills in a fast-paced municipal environment.
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About the City Manager’s Office
Community Services - Ignite creativity and inspire community engagement!- Public Art Program: Work behind the scenes of the Code:ART Festival, a premier interactive public art event. Help plan, promote, and manage an event that will light up Palo Alto!
- Open Space, Parks, and Golf Division: Support the Memorial Bench Program, connecting with the community to preserve and enhance Palo Alto’s outdoor spaces.
This is an excellent opportunity for students passionate about arts administration, event planning, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About Community Services
Library Services - Be part of the future of digital and public library services! We’re offering:- Youth Services Intern: Shape engaging programs for children and families while developing your leadership and customer service skills.
- Digital Services Intern: Get hands-on with instructional design and adult learning programs in our cutting-edge Vintage Media Lab.
This is an excellent opportunity for students in Library Science, Education, Digital Media, or Communications.
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About Library Services
Office of Transportation - Help shape the future of urban mobility! Work on:- Safe Routes to School programs, traffic signal operations, parking systems, and transit planning.
- Gain exposure to city planning, policy development, and sustainable transportation initiatives.
This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in urban planning, civil engineering, transportation policy, or sustainability.
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About the Office of Transportation
Public Works - Dive into engineering, environmental sustainability, and city infrastructure project's multiple divisions:- Engineering Services: Get involved in capital improvement projects, construction management, and urban design.
- Regional Water Quality Control Plant: Learn about environmental sustainability and SCADA systems in wastewater treatment.
- Zero Waste: Help advance recycling and waste reduction programs for a greener Palo Alto.
- Watershed Protection: Work on stormwater pollution prevention and community education initiatives.
This is an excellent opportunity for students pursuing civil/environmental engineering, sustainability, or municipal infrastructure careers.
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About Public Works
Utilities - Build the Future of Sustainable Infrastructure!
This summer internship provides a valuable opportunity for young engineers to gain hands-on experience in utility engineering, specifically in underground infrastructure design and construction management.
Interns will work with experienced engineers on projects such as:- Federal grant management
- Engineering calculations
- Pipeline condition assessments
- Large meter replacements
- Utility GIS database management
- And more!
Through mentorship, interns will learn how engineering principles are applied to public infrastructure, gaining insights into project planning, execution, and long-term maintenance. This internship will expose participants to various aspects of utility engineering, fostering their interest in public service careers.
This is an excellent opportunity for students pursuing careers in civil engineering and utility infrastructure.
To Apply and Learn More About This Position| Learn More About Utilities
Apply Now!
Don’t miss your chance to launch your career and make a real impact! Apply today to join the City of Palo Alto’s 2025 Summer Internship Program and be part of something bigger.
Note: Applicants may be considered for multiple intern openings across City departments.
Join us this summer—your future starts with the City of Palo Alto!
This is a non-benefited position.
Closing Date/Time: 3/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific - Real-world experience in your chosen field
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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