Summer 2026 Internship Program
Position Type: Part-Time, Seasonal
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Hourly Rate: $20.00
Hours: Up to 25 hours per week
Duration: Approximately June 15 – August 14, 2026
About the City of Pacifica
The City of Pacifica operates under the Council–Manager form of government and provides a full range of municipal services to its residents. With an operating budget of approximately $47.3 million and a workforce of over 180 full-time employees, Pacifica is committed to responsive governance and community engagement.
Are you interested in gaining meaningful, hands-on experience in local government?
The City of Pacifica is excited to host approximately seven (7) Summer Interns across multiple departments. This program is designed to provide students with substantive project experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to the inner workings of municipal government. Unlike a general internship pool, each department will recruit for a specific opportunity aligned with its operational needs and professional focus.
About the Program
The Summer Internship Program was developed in collaboration with the Next Generation Committee, sponsored by the City/County Managers Associations of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. The program supports the development of emerging professionals and promotes careers in local government.
The Summer Internship Program is tentatively scheduled to run from June 15, 2026 through August 14, 2026 (8 weeks). End date may be adjusted based on the intern's schedule and availability.
Selected applicants will be invited to interview during a tentative window of March 23 – April 3, 2026, with flexibility as needed.
The City anticipates finalizing offers by April 24, 2026 to allow adequate time for summer scheduling and coordination. Internships are part-time (up to 25 hours per week), seasonal, at-will, and non-benefited positions.
Why Apply?
- Meaningful Work: Interns contribute to real projects that impact the Pacifica community.
- Professional Development: Strengthen your research, writing, presentation, and analytical skills in a public sector setting.
- Mentorship & Networking: Work closely with City leadership and staff while building connections across departments.
- Career Exploration: Gain exposure to the breadth of career paths within local government.
About the Administrative Services (ASD) Intern Opportunity
The Administrative Services Department (ASD) includes the City’s Finance, Information Technology (IT), and Human Resources (HR) divisions. Together, these divisions support the City’s internal operations by ensuring fiscal accountability, technological functionality, and effective workforce administration.
The ASD Intern will serve in a project management-focused role supporting departmental and cross-divisional initiatives. This internship is designed for a student who brings strong organizational skills, structured thinking, and demonstrated experience managing projects or coordinating complex assignments. The selected intern will assist with planning, tracking, documenting, and supporting implementation of strategic initiatives across ASD. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate seeking hands-on exposure to project coordination within a public sector environment.
Responsibilities May Include (but Are Not Limited To):
- Assisting with development and tracking of project plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables
- Monitoring progress of departmental and cross-divisional initiatives and preparing status updates
- Coordinating documentation, research, and follow-through related to strategic projects
- Supporting elements of the annual operating and capital budget processes through organized tracking and reporting
- Assisting with process improvement initiatives and workflow documentation
- Preparing reports, presentations, and briefing materials related to active projects
- Conducting research and analysis to support project-based decision-making
- Participating in meetings to observe and support project planning and implementation efforts
Education & Experience:
- Current undergraduate majoring in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
- Coursework in project management, budgeting, accounting, public finance, organizational leadership, or operations management preferred
- Demonstrated project management experience is strongly desired, including coordinating timelines, leading academic or team projects, tracking deliverables, or managing multi-step assignments
- Strong interest in local government operations and municipal finance
Preferred Skills & Knowledge:
- Familiarity with project management principles (ie: planning, milestone tracking, documentation, deliverable management)
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple projects or assignments simultaneously
- Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel proficiency strongly preferred)
- Ability to synthesize complex information into clear written and visual formats
- Professional communication skills and ability to collaborate across divisions
How to Apply: Candidates interested in applying for the position may submit their online application, cover letter and resume by March 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Candidates must submit a completed online application and upload a current resume through CalOpps. Applications that are incomplete or missing required materials will not be considered.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Pacifica is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
