Mayor’s Internship Program – Summer 2025

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Belonging - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) was created to focus on improving the way the City allocates resources, acquiring goods and services, and the way it hires, trains, and compensates employees. The CAO has an emphasis on improving efficiency and effectiveness across government. The Chief Administrative Officer reports directly to the Mayor.

The Office of Talent and Employee Success is responsible for the implementation of key strategic HR services such as recruiting, training, onboarding, and process improvements. The Office of Talent and Employee Success oversees the annual planning and implementation of the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Internship Program (MIP). MIP is an opportunity for current college undergraduate and graduate students to learn about and contribute to the City government that manages operations for the nation’s 6th largest municipality. The MIP hosts the best and brightest students from around the country to come to Philadelphia every summer and explore all that our great city has to offer.

The Mayor’s Internship Program (MIP) is a ten-week paid internship beginning June 9, 2025 and ending August 15, 2025. The candidate must also be available to work for the duration of the internship program (MIP will, on a case-by-case basis, consider limited exceptions for applicants with exigent circumstances).

The MIP consists of three main components:

• Work assignment: placement in a single department completely substantive work assignments under the guidance of a City of Philadelphia leader or area expert.
• Professional Development Sessions: on select Fridays, a workshop series equips college interns with essential skills technical and soft skills to thrive in today’s competitive job market. From crafting standout résumés and mastering interview techniques and understanding workplace dynamics, Professional Development Sessions prepares interns to transition confidently from campus to career. With hands-on sessions, expert insights, and real-world tools, interns will leave with the confidence and knowledge to take the next step in their professional journey.
• Projects with Impact: an interdepartmental issue that a group of interns is assigned to analyze and develop strategies to address. City employees and/or Graduate-level interns serve as the project managers for the group.
• Bonus: Interns are invited to participate in the “My Philly Summer” program with Campus Philly. This program engages interns working across various businesses in Philadelphia over the summer of fun, thought-provoking, and free networking events throughout the summer.

There will also be potential for occasional for after-hours social and networking events for Mayor’s Interns to attend, but such events are not mandatory & by availability provided. 

Essential Functions

Mayor’s Interns work on projects and tasks providing research, administrative, and staff assistance to City managers. Past interns have assisted City staff in various functions such as:

• Research and analysis
• Drafting presentations, reports, and press releases
• Financial analysis
• Program Planning & Improvement
• Organizational and Administrative Support

Summer interns come from across the country and represent a wide range of colleges, graduate programs, and majors. Mayor’s Interns have helped complete grant applications, compile and analyze financial data, develop training and policy manuals, improve constituent relations, and plan and implement key City events across various departments and agencies. Examples of past participating departments include:

• Mayor’s Office
• Office of Information and Technology
• Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office
• Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
• Mayor’s Office of Communications
• Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity
• Police Department
• Office of a City Councilmember
• Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services
• And more!

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Strong oral and written communication

Work-Life

Working hours are a minimum of 25 hours per week for ten weeks. The maximum is 37.5 hours per week, contingent on the department’s need. Interns will be with their host departments from Monday through Thursdays.  Fridays will alternate between professional growth sessions hosted by the Chief Administrative Office and the intern’s weekly department assignments. Professional Growth sessions allow interns to work on group projects, learn career readiness skills, hear from speakers, hone their skillsets in various trainings and workshops, go on tours throughout the city, and engage in a plethora of activities.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be current undergraduates who have completed their sophomore year before June 2025.
• Community college students who will have completed their second year before June 2025 are encouraged to apply.
• MIP will consider a few graduates of the Class of 2025 along with a few graduate students.

The Mayor’s Internship Program may cooperate with programs under which students earn academic credit. Please let us know in advance if you are planning to do so.

Application Timeline

• Program Dates: June 9th – August 15th, 2025
• Application Opens: February 20th, 2025
• Application Closes: March 17th, 2025 (5pm)
• Application and Phone Screening: March 18th – April 4th
• Department Interviews: April 10th – April 24th
• Offer Notification: April 30th

Salary: $18.00/hour

Applicants must submit all parts of the application (as detailed below) by 5 PM EST on March 17th (5pm)

The application consists of the following items:

• Resume
• A letter of recommendation completed by an academic or professional contact that can accurately speak to your skills, abilities, and interests.
• A brief cover letter that responds to the following:
  • Why are you interested in the City of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Internship Program?
  • Are there specific departments you are interested in supporting?
  • What skills or qualities will you bring as a Mayor’s Intern?

Upon receipt of your application materials, we will contact you to describe the remaining selection process. Selected applicants should be available to participate in an interview with City departments between April 10th – April 24th. Virtual interviews may be requested by the host department or by applicants outside of Philadelphia.

Candidates selected to participate in MIP 2025 will receive an internship offer letter through email by April 30th. They will then have 48 hours to accept or to decline the offer through email. 

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

For language access and or ADA related accommodations, please contact Jonathan Hanson via email at [email protected] or via telephone number at 267-432-2781 by March 12, 2025.