Mayor's Youth Employment Program

The application period for 2024 has closed.

What is this program about?

Mayor Gaylor Baird promotes workforce and business development for the City of Lincoln. The Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA), is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. The Mayor’s Youth Employment Program is a part of the WIOA program which will provide job training opportunities for youth through a paid summer internship in which they will participate in many leadership development opportunities.

What can I expect from the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program?

You will be given opportunities for a job with a city agency, training, and help with your career, like tuition assistance and/or reference from your supervisor. You will also be provided with many leadership development opportunities like learning about how the city agencies work and your personal strengths. You will be paid $15 per hour at your place of agency employment and receive a $200 bonus for completing the internship.

What are the expectations of participation/work hours?

Individuals will be placed with specific agencies and hours will be specific to the placement and the individual.  While the hours may be negotiated with your supervisor, you must be willing to meet the agency needs.  Individual days off will be discussed with your supervisor, but it is expected that participants will attend all training sessions and meet work hour expectations every week of the program.  

How old do I have to be to be a part of this program?

This program is designed for ages 16-24. Contact us at cnstueve@lincoln.ne.gov if you have more questions.

What are the benefits?

Experience allows interns to explore their interests and career options; develop workplace, social, and leadership skills; and build their résumé—all while getting paid.

Which city agencies does the program include?

You will apply for the program and if accepted, will be assigned to a position with a city agency. Examples include:

• City Clerk: Interns will assist with the day-to-day operations of the clerk's office, including data entry, filing, and record-keeping.
• Finance: Interns will assist the Lincoln finance department in gathering information regarding audits and grants.
• Parks and Recreation: Interns will be assigned to one of the recreation centers’ day camps. They will work with kids and plan day camp activities.
• Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Communications: Interns will create social media content for Lincoln Transportation and Utilities.
• Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Watershed: Interns will assist with dry weather and wet weather water monitoring. This includes maintaining equipment, collecting and processing water samples, and data entry.
• Information Services: Interns will shadow developers and project managers working on high-impact City and County software projects to build design and critical thinking skills or help City and County software projects by working with staff to test products and provide feedback to development teams.
• Lincoln City Libraries: Interns will assist the public information specialist with filming and photographing library events and programs, brainstorming and crafting social media content, and a range of other marketing initiatives for Lincoln City Libraries.
• Lincoln Water System: Interns will assist with dry weather and wet weather monitoring. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining remote monitoring equipment, collecting and processing water samples, and data entry/analysis.

Participating city agencies are subject to change prior to the start date. Interns may not be assigned with desired departments due to capacity.

How do I apply?

If you have any questions please email cnstueve@lincoln.ne.gov

Individuals chosen for an interview will be contacted via email.  All other individuals will be referred to other opportunities. Applicants and interviewees are not guaranteed an internship.

What if I’m not sure I qualify?

The Mayor’s Youth Employment Program welcomes all kinds of youth, including those for whom English is a second language, individuals with disabilities, people who may have had involvement in the juvenile justice system, and more. The main qualification is a willingness to help your community!

What types of applicants are you looking for?

We are looking for people who are eager to learn, want to help their community, and will represent the values of the Mayor’s office, like accountability, compassion, and vision.

The Mayor's Youth Employment Program is funded by the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act, legislation that aims to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help Americans, including youth with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. Applicants will need to meet the WIOA income and barrier requirements in order to be eligible for the Mayor's Youth Employment Program. For any questions, contact cnstueve@lincoln.ne.gov.