Job details

Graduate Intern - Budget Oversight

Job Description

The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.

The Bureau of Budget evaluates New York City’s fiscal, cash, and economic position by analyzing revenue collections, expenditures, the capital program, and the condition of the local economy. The Bureau uses its charter-mandated responsibilities to promote transparency and accountability in financial reporting and budgeting. In addition to reviewing and commenting on the City’s Financial Plan and issuing reports on the City’s cash balances and debt capacity, the Bureau oversees an independent actuarial audit to review the assumptions underlying the City’s pension contributions. The Bureau also conducts regular assessments of the City’s economic outlook and revenue performance and strives to lead the dialogue on the City’s fiscal state through reliable and thought-provoking economic and budget research.

Responsibilities of the Budget Oversight Intern include, but are not limited to:

Analyzing the MTA Capital Program. Help answer questions like: how much do city residents actually contribute?

Reviewing and comparing HPD affordable housing programs. Evaluate how subsidy amounts differ and how that impacts the relative affordability and quality of that housing for tenants. Answer questions like: do deeper subsidies lead to more affordable housing? Is the city using its housing capital dollars most efficiently?

Reviewing and analyzing capital spending in NYC through an equity lens. Help answer questions like: Are lower resourced communities getting their fair share in parks, cultural, climate, and/or transportation spending? How can major initiatives like reconnecting communities separated by the BQE and Cross Bronx Expressway be more fairly implemented?

Analyzing department capital planning. Help answer questions like: Which departments are best at capital planning? And how does New York City's spending on each department compare to peer cities?

Helping the office make use of School Construction Authority data

Helping the Comptroller's Office better understand the City's climate budgeting process

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: Matriculation at an accredited graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in graduate school.

IMPORTANT:
- Our office is located at the David Dinkins Municipal Building, 1 Centre St. in Manhattan/New York.
- All interns will work in-person in the office, Monday – Thursday, 28 hours per week.
- The employment period will be from June 2 – July 31, 2025.

Qualifications

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in an accredited college, university or law school.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

What You Should Know About Graduate Intern - Budget Oversight, City of New York

Are you a graduate student looking to gain hands-on experience in budget analysis? The New York City Comptroller’s Office is seeking a Graduate Intern - Budget Oversight to join our dynamic team! Located in the heart of Manhattan, our office plays a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and accountability of New York City government. As a Budget Oversight Intern, you'll dive into essential projects that focus on analyzing critical budgetary elements such as the MTA Capital Program and affordable housing initiatives. Your role will allow you to answer vital questions about the impact of city expenditures on communities while promoting transparency in our budgeting processes. With responsibilities that include evaluating capital spending through an equity lens, assessing which departments excel in capital planning, and helping us understand the city's approach to climate budgeting, this internship will provide invaluable insight into public finance. Not only will you be contributing to projects leading to tangible improvements in the City’s budgetary health, but you will also gain a deeper understanding of how local government operates. To join us, you must be currently enrolled in an accredited graduate program, ready to work in-person Monday through Thursday for 28 hours a week from June 2 to July 31, 2025. We can't wait to see what fresh perspective you will bring to help us build a more equitable city for all New Yorkers!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Graduate Intern - Budget Oversight Role at City of New York

What are the responsibilities of a Graduate Intern - Budget Oversight at the New York City Comptroller’s Office?

The Graduate Intern - Budget Oversight at the New York City Comptroller’s Office plays a vital role in analyzing the MTA Capital Program, reviewing affordable housing initiatives, and assessing capital spending through equity lenses. This includes evaluating how different subsidy amounts affect housing affordability and participating in critical assessments of city departments' capital planning.