Business
The Department of Neighborhood and Business Development offers non-paid internships on an as needed basis. Responsibilities may include performing research, business analysis, business mailings, administrative and data entry tasks among others. Individuals should have a desire to assist in business growth and development.
For more information, please contact:
Carol Wheeler, Manager of Housing OR Karen Altman
(585) 428-6152 (585) 428-6967
carol.wheeler@cityofrochester.gov karen.altman@cityofrochester.gov
Communications
The Bureau of Communications provides opportunities for college students to participate in such areas as journalism, television and radio production, graphic design, Web site administration, photography, and media relations. The Bureau also administers the City’s Freedom of Information function where interns can gain experience in government, records access, and law.
For more information please contact Hazeldene Hercules at (585) 428-6230 or herculeh@cityofrochester.gov.
Community Service and Office Work Experience
The Bureau of Youth Services (Department of Recreation and Youth Services) offers opportunities to teens in two programs:
Youth Training Academy
YTA teaches core clerical and customer service skills to high school students ages 15 and over; successful participants may be recommended for paid internships for additional work experience. Students must be city residents, and complete the Summer of Opportunity job application. Previous summer employment experience is a plus, but not required.
Volunteer Internship Program
The VIP teaches core job readiness skills to students 13-15 years old. The goal is to provide pre-employment skills training and an opportunity to practice those skills in a community service/internship project, that can be used to begin a documented work history. Participants must be city residents and complete the VIP application. Accepted students and parents are required to attend an orientation session.
For more information on either of these programs, contact Alison Alden, Employment & Training Coordinator, Bureau of Youth Services at (585) 428-6342, or aldena@cityofrochester.gov.
Engineering, Architecture, Environmental Science
The Department of Environmental Services offers undergraduate students semester-long, paid internships in a wide array of areas. Depending on the academic institution, credit may also be given to students who complete certain requirements. While DES normally accepts applicants who are pursuing degrees in areas listed below, any student interested in the work performed by this department is encouraged to apply.
- Engineering (civil, structural, mechanical/HVAC, etc)
- Architecture
- Information technology
- Surveying
- Environmental sciences or management
- Urban forestry
For more information please contact Bonnie Clements at (585) 428-7077 or Bonnie.Clements@cityofrochester.gov.
Information Technology
The Department of Information Technology offers paid college internships. Depending on the academic background work may be assigned in the areas of application development, business process reengineering or server and client support.
For more information please contact Jason Plaisted at (585) 428-6740 or jason.plaisted@cityofrochester.gov
Law Enforcement
The Rochester Police Department provides a variety of internship and volunteer opportunities for college students (highly motivated high school students may be considered) and others. Interns are assigned to specific units or officers, where they become a part of the team. Students are assigned clerical work to assist the officer and/or staff and accompany the officer on rounds, attend meetings, and go on general ride-alongs. College credit may be available, depending on the student's school and the internship assignment.
A criminal history check is required on all volunteers and/or student interns. All programs include orientation and training.
For more information contact the RPD volunteer coordinator at (585) 428-7496.
Politics and Community Service
The Mayor's Office offers semester-long internships to area undergraduate students who are interested in urban affairs, government, and politics. Internships are unpaid; course credit is offered by some schools. These internships provide opportunities for students to gain exposure, in a professional work setting, to urban government and politics; community service; career options; and political involvement.
For more information please contact Hazeldene Hercules at (585) 428-6230 or herculeh@cityofrochester.gov.
Social Work, Recreation
The Bureau of Recreation (Department of Recreation and Youth Services) offers a variety of internship possibilities – unpaid, college credit, and occasionally paid – as well as volunteer opportunities for college students interested in gaining experience in the areas of social work, recreation and recreation management, community planning, or political science.
All applicants must complete a volunteer form and are subject to a security background check. The internship is designed to fit the individual student’s needs depending on their institution’s requirements. Schedules are flexible, given the extended operating hours of most recreation facilities.
For more information, contact Nancy Johns Price, Program Development Specialist, at (585) 428-7371, or pricen@cityofrochester.gov.