Student Intern

Student Intern Program – Job Description

Important Application Information:

• Applications are reviewed on an “as-needed” basis as departments submit requests.
• Your application will be inactivated after six (6) months; however, you are welcome to re-apply to the program.
• You will receive an email notification if additional information is required or if your application is accepted into the program.
• If you are interested in interning with a specific department, you may reach out to them directly.

About the Program

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

The Student Internship Program is designed to nurture the educational and professional development of promising job candidates. This program aims to foster a positive experience that may lead to a longer retention of individuals as County employees. A successful internship program enhances the County’s image among the student population, encouraging more students to apply in the future.

Typical Tasks – Student Intern, Level II

This level is specifically for Freshman or Sophomore year college students, community college students, or vocational school students who have completed high school. Interns at this level work as assistants under close supervision.

Responsibilities include:

• Learning the Agency’s or Department’s policies, procedures, and methods of operations.
• Collecting and tabulating data.
• Learning how to interpret collected data.
• Evaluating information gained in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Assisting professional staff in ongoing project work.

Application Process

This recruitment requires the submission of an online application. Paper applications will not be accepted. Computers are available for applicants to apply online at the County Government Center, 70 West Hedding Street, 8th Floor, East Wing, San Jose, CA 95110, during normal business hours.

To Apply, You Must Attach:

1. A copy of your unofficial transcript, official transcript, or a letter from your admissions office that clearly displays your name, school information, declared major, grade point average (GPA), and total units/hours accumulated. Please Note: For verification purposes, we reserve the right to request official documentation.
2. A current class schedule that includes your name, course dates (start/end date), and school information on it, OR a letter from the admissions office. This document will fulfill proof of enrollment in high school, college, or proof of graduation within the last six months (from the date of graduation). This document is separate from the transcript.

You must submit all required documents by uploading them as attachments to your job application. Applications submitted without the required documentation will be rejected.

Employment Standards

Student Eligibility

In order to qualify for the Student Intern classifications, a student must:

• 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 (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale.
• Submit a completed application for employment, an unofficial transcript, and proof of enrollment or a course schedule for the current school session.

Verification and Audit Procedures

• Prior to hiring, departments will verify the student’s status with the school and enrollment in a defined program of study that aligns with the intern position.
• Departmental use of these classifications is subject to audit by ESA Human Resources to ensure adherence to the defined purposes of introducing the County to students as a potential employer and providing practical work experience.
• The recent graduate category will be monitored to ensure that no one is working as an intern longer than six months following graduation.
• Work hours per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) are limited to 1,040 hours. 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 is required, 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 and Abilities

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.