Youth Opportunities Internship Program

POSITION TITLE: Neighborhood Services Program Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Communication and Engagement

Summary:

Looking to make a real difference in your community? Our municipal government is looking for a passionate intern to help build stronger neighborhoods through creative programs and meaningful connections. As a Neighborhood Services Program Intern, you’ll help develop exciting programs like the Neighborhood Connection Fund, which empowers local communities to create positive change. You’ll work with city staff and residents directly to help strengthen relationships and build resilience across neighborhoods through programming. Join our Communication and Engagement team and help bring our mission to life: Connecting people for a thriving community and democracy. Ready to jump in and make an impact?

The Neighborhood Engagement Intern will support the City’s Neighborhood Services Program Manager with the Neighborhood Connection Fund, Block Party Trailer, and other special projects with the Engagement team as needed or based on interests. Centered on inclusion, belonging, equity of access, and amplifying underheard voices, the Engagement team creates and implements processes and projects to provide community voices and lived experience input to decision-making processes across city departments.

This is a six or seven-week (or 120 to 140 hours) internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Application processing and review, support contract drafting, and signature routing for the Neighborhood Connection Fund.
• Research Block Party Trailer programs across the nation and provide feedback to staff on current practices and develop long-term and sustainable plans.
• Creation of new systems and practices to create more efficient practices for staff.
• Attend department meetings.
• Special projects - as needed and based on intern’s interests.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school junior by June 2025
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for duration of program.
• Familiarity and comfort using Microsoft Office Products, including Office 365, Excel and Word.

Preferred Skills:

• High organization skills.
• Have a driver's license and ability to drive.
• Reading, writing, and research skills.
• Public Speaking experience or interest.
• Bilingual - English, and Spanish.

Personal Qualities & Characteristics:

• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration
• Courteous and professional
• Exceptional attention to details
• Good verbal, written and graphic communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team
• Interest in actively learning about the field

POSITION TITLE: Communication and Engagement Special Event Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Communication and Engagement

Summary:

Are you passionate about crafting impactful events and creating unforgettable experiences? We’re looking for a dynamic and creative intern to assist in planning and executing exciting special events while enhancing communication strategies. Creation of city events supports community members in connecting with their local government so they can voice their thoughts and ideas. As a part of Communication and Engagement, you will be part of bringing our mission to life: Creating connections for a thriving community and democracy. If you're ready to dive into the world of event coordination, media outreach, and audience engagement, this is the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced and rewarding environment!

The Special Event Intern will support the City’s planning and development for city-wide engagement event What’s Up Boulder and help support smaller city events with the Neighborhood Connection Fund program, Block Party Trailer, and other special projects with the Engagement team as needed or based on interests. Centered on inclusion, belonging, equity of access, and amplifying underheard voices, the Engagement team creates and implements processes and projects to provide community voices and lived experience input to decision-making processes across city departments.

This is a six-week (or 120 hours) internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Creation of advertisement for city wide event, working alongside video services and communications staff.
• Content creation for event advertisement.
• Support event planning team committee with agenda setting and deliverables.
• Research and arrangement of diverse entertainment and vendors.
• Creation of new systems and practices to create more efficient practices for staff.
• Attend weekly committee meetings, editorial and monthly department meetings.
• Support Neighborhood Services Program as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school junior by June 2025.
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for duration of program.
• Familiarity and comfort using Microsoft Office Products, including Office 365, Excel and Word.

Preferred Skills:

• High communication and organization skills.
• Have a driver's license and ability to drive.
• Reading, writing, and research skills.
• Public Speaking experience or interest.
• Bilingual - English, and Spanish.

Personal Qualities & Characteristics:

• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration
• Courteous and professional
• Exceptional attention to details
• Good verbal, written and graphic communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team
• Interest in actively learning about the field

POSITION TITLE: Public Safety Communications Youth Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Boulder Police and Boulder Fire-Rescue, Communication and Engagement

Summary:

Do you have a passion for storytelling with a purpose? Do you care about improving public safety in your community? Do you want to learn more about how the City of Boulder’s police and fire department Public Information Officers (PIOs) do their jobs, working as communications professionals alongside police officers and fire fighters to inform and educate the community about important public safety issues? Are you interested in telling great stories on social media (and beyond!) about Boulder’s first responder departments, and the lifesaving work they do to help protect and serve our community? Do you want to learn how to develop better communication skills, media relations strategies, and build your experience and knowledge in all things related to public safety communications? Then this position might be for you!

This position provides the intern with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in emergency communication operations, public relations, administrative support and crisis communications. This youth internship position involves supporting three City of Boulder communications professionals — the Public Safety Senior Communications Manager, the Police PIO, and the Fire-Rescue PIO — with delivering their public safety communications goals and objectives during the summer 2025.

This is a six-week (or 120 hours) internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support Boulder Fire-Rescue and Police PIOs with communication tasks such as taking and posting social media stories, helping write social media content, and taking photos

• Assist creating graphics for public safety communications (such as using Canva to use city branding to make social media graphics)

• Ride along with first responders to document their work and collect stories about the work they do

• Attend communication meetings about public safety

• Support the creation of new communications content for educating the community about public safety issues

• Other duties as assigned by the Public Safety communications team

Minimum Requirements:

• High school junior or senior by June 2025
• Interest and/or passion for field, industry, or role
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for duration of program
• Familiarity and comfort using Microsoft Office Products, including Office 365, Excel and Word
• Maturity, ability and commitment to holding sensitive information that can sometimes be difficult (such as information about crime incidents) with discretion, confidentiality and good judgement
• Desire, ability, and parental permission (if required) to ride along with police officers, fire fighters and paramedics during routine calls and shifts

Personal Qualities & Characteristics:

• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration
• Excellent written, verbal, and digital communication skills
• Curiosity about public safety work in Boulder and an interest in learning from first responders (police, fire, paramedics) about their experiences
• Desire to learn how to tell interesting and informative stories about public safety
• Desire to ride along with police officers and fire fighters during regular work shifts
• Social media and graphic design skills and experience
• Ability to work well under pressure and use excellent judgement with confidential information
• Courteous and professional
• Exceptional attention to details
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team
• Willingness to take direction and learn new skills; ability to accept feedback, self-reflect and grow

POSITION TITLE: Volunteer Cooperative Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Communication and Engagement

Summary:

Volunteerism engages community members in the work we do at the City of Boulder. We hope that every volunteer has a meaningful experience and leaves that experience feeling more connected to their community. During this internship, you have an opportunity to learn about volunteerism in the City of Boulder and create a network of organizations that have opportunities for youth, teens and families in the Boulder Community.

City staff who manage, coordinate, and lead volunteer projects or programs are a part of the City’s Volunteer Cooperative. These staff members work together to support high-quality volunteer engagement across departments. The Volunteer Cooperative Intern will have the opportunity to work with the members of the Volunteer Cooperative, and volunteer alongside community members at projects happening throughout the city as well as in organizations throughout the Boulder Community.

The Volunteer Cooperative intern will be housed in the Communications and Engagement Department. The intern will be part of bringing our mission to life: Creating connections for a thriving community and democracy. The Engagement Team’s work is centered on inclusion, belonging, equity of access, and amplifying underheard voices in our community.

This is a seven-week (or 140 hours) internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research organizations that have volunteer opportunities for families, youth, teens, and adults
• Volunteer on projects led by staff who are members of the Volunteer Cooperative
• Collaborate with Interns in Communications and Engagement Department
• Attend weekly editorial and monthly department meetings. 
• Attend monthly Volunteer Cooperative meetings
• Occasionally attend meetings the Volunteer Cooperative Subcommittees: Inclusion and Belonging, Impact Report and Storytelling, Training, One Day Projects, Disaster Response and Recovery

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Student
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for duration of program. 
• Familiarity and comfort using Microsoft Office Products, including Office 365, Excel and Word.  
• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration 
• Courteous and professional 
• Exceptional attention to details 
• Good verbal, written and graphic communication skills. 
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively 
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team 
• Interest in actively learning about the field 

Preferred Qualities and Characteristics:

• High organization skills
• Have a driver's license and ability to drive
• Reading, writing, and research skills
• Experience volunteering with community organizations
• Bilingual - English and Spanish  

Working Conditions and Requirements:

• Most days you will work in the Engagement Office at the main public library, but one day per week you will be working offsite at a volunteer project and may need to arrange your own transportation.
• Ability to work occasional weekend

POSITION TITLE: Community Mediation and Resolution Center Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Housing and Human Services

Summary:

The Community Mediation and Resolution Center provides conflict resolution, housing retention, and many other critical services to City of Boulder and Boulder County residents. As a CMRC intern, you will play an integral role in helping us track housing court outcomes and report out to the community on eviction statistics and trends. Learn about the court structure and process and see Boulder’s right to counsel program serving tenants at risk of losing their housing. Additionally, you will support local government putting money back in the hands of over 800 households through the annual Food Tax Rebate program. Play an active part in the redistribution of tax dollars and gain valuable experience in working with and for the community!

This is a six-week (or 120 hours) internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance team in tracking housing court outcomes on Friday mornings
• Monitor and improve data collection and quality efforts.
• Assist in processing and filing of Food Tax Rebate applications
• Attend project meetings and team, departmental, interdepartmental and partner meetings.
• Learn or participate in other department areas to understand the broader department scope.
• In office on Wednesdays and Fridays

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Student
• Passion for field, industry, or role 
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for duration of program 
• Familiarity and/or comfort using Microsoft Office Products, including Office 365, Excel and Word  

Preferred Qualities and Characteristics:

• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration  
• Courteous and professional 
• Exceptional attention to details 
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively 
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team 
• Interest in actively learning about the field  

POSITION TITLE: Open Space and Mountain Parks Bilingual Education Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP)

Summary:

Do you have happy memories of playing outside or exploring nature as a child? Do you want to be part of a team that fosters child and youth connection to nature? Support education and outreach staff with our summer Nature Discovery programming including Storytime Hikes, Nature Play, Meadow Music and Environmental Education programs with teens. Share ideas for ways to engage children and youth through program experiences on open space. This position involves supporting education and outreach staff with OSMP’s summer programs with children and youth as well as sharing ideas for child and youth friendly messaging for print and web-based media.

This is a seven-week (or 140 hours) internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support open space education and outreach programs including:

• Support Meadow Music, Nature Play, Storytime hikes by assisting and leading portions of the programs.
• Reach out to children and youth to understand and represent their perspectives and ideas.
• Help organize and analyze feedback from program participants, staff and volunteer naturalists.
• Assist with developing child-and youth-friendly messaging and graphics for web updates and social media related to programs.
• Shadow and engage with Junior Ranger trail crews (our high school summer job program).

Minimum Requirements:

• High school junior by June 2025
• Ability to communicate bilingually, read and write in English/Spanish
• Interest and/or passion for field, industry, or role 
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for duration of program 
• Familiarity and comfort using Microsoft Office Products, including Office 365, Excel and Word   

Preferred Qualities and Characteristics:

• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration  
• Love of the outdoors
• Courteous and professional 
• Exceptional attention to details 
• Good verbal, written and graphic communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively 
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team 
• Interest in actively learning about the field of environmental education/nature-based learning  

POSITION TITLE: Open Space and Mountain Parks Education Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP)

Summary:

Do you have happy memories of playing outside or exploring nature as a child? Do you want to be part of a team that fosters child and youth connection to nature? Support education and outreach staff with our summer Nature Discovery programming including Storytime Hikes, Nature Play, Meadow Music and Environmental Education programs with teens. Share ideas for ways to engage children and youth through program experiences on open space. This position involves supporting education and outreach staff with OSMP’s summer programs with children and youth as well as sharing ideas for child and youth friendly messaging for print and web-based media.

This is a seven-week (or 140 hours) internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support open space education and outreach programs including:

• Support Meadow Music, Nature Play, Storytime hikes by assisting and leading portions of the programs.
• Reach out to children and youth to understand and represent their perspectives and ideas.
• Help organize and analyze feedback from program participants, staff and volunteer naturalists.
• Assist with developing child-and youth-friendly messaging and graphics for web updates and social media related to programs.
• Shadow and engage with Junior Ranger trail crews (our high school summer job program).

Minimum Requirements:

• High school junior by June 2025
• Interest and/or passion for field, industry, or role 
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for duration of program 
• Familiarity and comfort using Microsoft Office Products, including Office 365, Excel and Word  

Preferred Qualities and Characteristics:

• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration  
• Love of the outdoors
• Courteous and professional 
• Exceptional attention to details 
• Good verbal, written and graphic communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively 
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team 
• Interest in actively learning about the field of environmental education/nature-based learning 

POSITION TITLE: Nature Play Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR)

Summary:

Do you have happy memories of playing outside as a child? Do you have ideas for making parks more inclusive, sustainable, and youth-friendly? From the library to the Farmers Market, and from Canyon to Arapahoe there are so many opportunities to play and explore in the Civic Area. As part of this position, you will lead nature-based activities, promote nature education and gather feedback from youth for future park improvements in this area.

This is a seven-week (or 140 hours) internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead nature activities for youth and gather ideas for park improvements in Civic Area:

• Plan and lead nature-based activities for children and youth at pop-up events and play areas in the Civic Area.
• Plan and lead educational opportunities for youth on nature, climate and more.
• Spread the word about pop-up events and activities to friends and other youth.
• Create messaging and graphics to invite the community to pop-up events.
• Gather feedback about potential future improvement to the Civic Area from children and youth.

Help develop BPR’s new Play Ranger program:

• Provide ideas for developing a paid Play Ranger position for teens in future years.
• Help gather ideas from other teens about the Play Ranger position.
• Act as a Play Ranger during city-hosted pop-up play events
• Present a summary of your experiences and recommendations for future Play Rangers to city staff at the end of summer.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school junior by June 2025
• Passion for working with children and youth.
• Passion for working outdoors in nature.
• Commitment to participating in 2-3 events hosted by BPR on the weekend
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for the duration of program. 

Preferred Qualities and Characteristics:

• Brings fun, lively energy to the team and play activities!
• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration.  
• Courteous and professional. 
• Good communication skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness. 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively. 
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team.
• Bilingual and bicultural preferred.   

POSITION TITLE: Equity Ambassador Team Intern

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Temporary

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Office of Equity & Belonging, a division of City Manager’s Office

Summary:

Are you passionate about making a lasting impact and deepening your understanding of equity work? Have you wondered about the role of government in dismantling institutional racism? Do you thrive on engaging people in thoughtful dialogue about equity and belonging?

This internship offers the opportunity to support the City’s Office of Equity & Belonging in advancing equity-focused initiatives both internally within the city institution and externally within the broader community. You will play a pivotal role in influencing and implementing new and established strategies designed to drive meaningful change.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with the team to develop and support initiatives that foster equity, inclusion, and belonging;
• Assisting in the planning and successful completion of a regional conference for local jurisdictions, aimed at elevating equity work across the region;
• Providing content and creative input for the Equity & Belonging newsletter to engage and inform city staff and the community;
• Supporting equity trainings provided to city staff;
• Contributing to department group assessments, and other educational efforts to enhance equity awareness and practices.
• Analyzing data from equity surveys and other sources to inform decision-making and measure progress.
• Providing administrative and logistical support as needed.

This position is ideal for someone who is eager to grow their understanding of institutional equity work, enjoys working collaboratively, and is committed to fostering systemic change. By joining this team, you will gain hands-on experience and contribute to creating a more equitable and inclusive community.

This temporary position with the City of Boulder is part of the Housing and Human Services 2025 Youth Internship Program. This six-week (or 120 hours) internship, is sponsored by the Youth Opportunities Program. During the program, interns will work in their assigned city department, gain career skills, and attend professional development workshops and other learning opportunities with other program interns.   

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The city will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide logistical support for racial equity trainings both virtual and in-person.
• Co-facilitate team workgroup assessments with departments that have an established Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team (JEDI).
• Research, compile, organize, and analyze data and information to JEDI teams.
• Provide written reports for suggested strategies and implementation of feedback.
• Attend monthly team and department-wide meetings.
• Provide administrative support during workgroup meetings and any follow up with community partners.
• Attend meetings, as necessary, with other departments to support equity work.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school junior by June 2025
• Interest and/or passion for field, industry, or role.
• Commitment to full participation and attendance for duration of program.
• Familiarity and comfort using Microsoft Office Products, including Office 365, Excel, Power Point and Word

Preferred Qualities and Characteristics:

• Embody City of Boulder’s values: Respect, Innovation, Integrity, Customer Service and Collaboration.   
• Courteous and comfortable working in an office environment.
• Exceptional attention to details.  
• Good verbal, written and graphic communication skills.  
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills, initiative, and resourcefulness.  
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively. 
• A strong commitment to contributing positively to a team.  
• Strong interest and curiosity for advancing equity work.