Job Description
Position Summary
The Mayor’s Internship Program (MIP) is a ten-week paid internship beginning June 8, 2026, and ending August 14, 2026. 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, interns participate in a series of workshops designed to strengthen both their professional confidence and workplace readiness. Each session builds on the next — beginning with self-awareness and values, moving through communication and collaboration, and culminating in networking, career preparation, and reflection. Through interactive learning, guest speakers, and practical tools, interns explore topics like teamwork, leadership, resume and interview skills, and navigating professional spaces while staying grounded in their identity. By the end of the program, interns leave with the confidence, connections, and clarity to take the next step in their career pathways.
Capstone Projects: an interdepartmental issue that a group of interns is assigned to analyze and develop strategies to address.
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 after-hours social and networking events for Mayor’s Interns to attend, but such events are not mandatory and 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 Data Analysis
Drafting Presentations, Reports, and Communications Materials
Financial Review and Analysis Support
Program Planning and Improvement
Organizational and Administrative Support
Event Coordination and Logistics Support
Stakeholder and Community Engagement Support
Data Entry and Records Management
Process Documentation and Workflow Improvement
Team Collaboration and Project 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
Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity
Mayor's Office of Education
Prisons - Operations -Sustainability
Office of the Chief Integrity Officer
Office of Immigrant Affairs
Office of Emergency Management
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
Interns will work between 25 and 37.5 hours each week, depending on their department’s needs. Most of your time will be spent with your host department from Monday through Thursday. Fridays alternate each week—one week you’ll join the Chief Administrative Office for Professional Growth sessions, and the next week you’ll work with your department.
Professional Growth Fridays are a key part of the experience and include group projects, workshops, guest speakers, and tours around the city.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be current undergraduates who have completed their sophomore year before June 2026.
Community college students who have completed their second year before June 2026 are encouraged to apply.
MIP will consider a few graduates of the Class of 2026 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.
Additional Information
Applicants must submit all parts of the application (as detailed below) on March 20th.
The application consists of the following items:
Resume
A brief cover letter that responds to the following:
Application Timeline
Program Dates: June 8 – August 14, 2026
Application Opens: February 25, 2026
Application Closes: March 20, 2026
Application and Phone Screening: Phone screens are performed on a rolling basis until April 3, 2026
Department Interviews: April 8 – April 24, 2026
Offer Notification: May 8, 2026
Hourly rate: $18.00
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 8th – April 24th. Virtual interviews may be requested by the host department or by applicants outside of Philadelphia.
Candidates selected to participate in MIP 2026 will receive an internship offer letter through email by May 8th. 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 faqpchr@phila.gov.
For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx