Student Intern - Ramsey County Planning Internship (Unclassified)

Full Job Description

Ramsey County is seeking 4 talented undergraduate and/or graduate students with an interest in public policy, planning and transportation to bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the Community & Economic Development department and Public Works department at the County.

Ramsey County’s mission is a vibrant community where all are valued and thrive. The County’s guiding goals include:

• Cultivate economic prosperity and invest in neighborhoods with concentrated financial poverty.
• Enhance access to opportunity and mobility for all residents and businesses through connections to education, employment and economic development throughout our region.
• Reduce barriers, eliminate racial disparities and maximize key housing functions that create pathways to long-term, affordable housing.

This internship program offers students three months of full-time experience during the summer with the potential to extend through the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Partnership with Center for Transportation Studies

This program partners with the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies (CTS).

CTS works with faculty and research staff in over 30 departments across the University of Minnesota to address a wide range of transportation topics.

The partnership between Ramsey County and CTS extends beyond transportation to offer a holistic view of how interconnected transportation is to public policy and planning sectors.

Through this multidisciplinary collaboration, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience aimed at developing well-rounded professionals who understand the connections between different areas of public planning and governance.

Student interns will perform designated and related duties as assigned in accordance with the student's educational program and the needs of the department to which the student selects.

Interns will also form a cohort that meets once per month for educational and professional development activities.

The openings available for each department are:

• Public Works:
  • Program Delivery: 1 opening.
  • Multimodal Planning: 1 opening.
• Community & Economic Development:
  • Housing: 1 opening.
  • Small Business: 1 opening.

Current students from any college or university may apply.

Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.

The location and job description of each intern position can be found here.

Requirements

This job class is limited to students in post-secondary schools. Duties are designed in light of the student's educational program in order to provide work experience that meets the department’s needs and complements the student's educational program. Work is performed under the guidance of designated staff. Specific work assignments depend on the terms of the student's educational program and the department to which the student is assigned, and may include duties such as:

1. Data collection and analysis;
2. Documentation of findings;
3. Preparation of written materials;
4. Participation with departmental staff in discussions, program design and program implementation.

Qualifications

Education: Enrollment at a post-secondary school in coursework relevant to the duties of the department to which assigned.

Experience: None.

Preferred: Interest in developing and implementing programs and policies that seek to eliminate racial, cultural and economic disparities within the community. Previous volunteer or work experience in government, nonprofits or similar fields. Proven communication and writing skills.

Other: Employment as a Student Intern shall terminate upon graduation or upon failure to remain enrolled in school. With the approval of the appointing authority, employment may continue for up to six months after graduation.

Additional Information

This is a temporary position. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Employment isn't guaranteed beyond the end of this assignment.

To be considered for these internships please submit the following documents:

• Complete the online application.
• Submit a resume.
• Submit a cover letter and indicate which position(s) you are interested in and explain your interest.

Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:

Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause.

Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301.

An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment.

Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought.

However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program.

This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce.

The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees.

Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them.

Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact Lindsey.Hunter@co.ramsey.mn.us.