Location
Description
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 Economic Development Summer Intern Opportunity
The Economic Development Division advances initiatives that support fiscal sustainability, business vitality, housing production, and long-term community resilience. The Economic Development Intern will gain hands-on experience supporting business attraction and retention, marketing and tourism initiatives, special events, and strategic planning efforts aligned with the City’s adopted Economic Development Work Plan. This internship is ideal for a student interested in economic development, public policy, urban planning, communications, or community development. The intern will contribute to projects that directly support local businesses and enhance Pacifica’s commercial districts.
Responsibilities May Include (but Are Not Limited To):
- Assisting with creation of marketing and promotional materials to support local businesses and tourism efforts
- Supporting event planning and coordination for business-focused and community events
- Researching and identifying grant opportunities related to economic development, mobility, and placemaking initiatives
- Assisting with preparation of grant applications and supporting documentation
- Developing one-page informational materials for public distribution (ie: permitting guides, business resources, development summaries)
- Supporting social media and digital communications related to economic development initiatives
- Assisting with business visitation outreach and communication efforts
- Conducting research related to bike, pedestrian, and scooter mobility initiatives that support commercial districts
- Supporting data collection and analysis related to commercial vacancy, business trends, and district activation efforts
Education & Experience:
- Current undergraduate student majoring in Economics, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business, Communications, Political Science, Marketing, or a related field
- Coursework in economic development, public policy, urban studies, marketing, transportation planning, or community development preferred
- Interest in municipal government and local economic sustainability
- Prior internship or project experience in communications, research, event coordination, or community engagement is desirable but not required
Preferred Skills & Knowledge:
- Strong written and visual communication skills
- Ability to translate complex policy or technical information into clear, public-facing materials
- Interest in small business support, placemaking, and commercial district vitality
- Research and analytical skills
- Experience or interest in social media and digital outreach
- Organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments
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.