San Rafael, CA – Recruitment is underway now for an eight-week paid internship opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 22 with various departments at the County of Marin. The application deadline is May 25 and internships start in mid-June.
The Career Explorer Youth Program is heading into its third season.Now in its third year, the Career Explorer Youth Program helps young people gain vocational skills and experience as they think about starting a career. It is operated by the
Marin County Probation Department with assistance from the County’s
Department of Human Resources and
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Internship opportunities are available in those three departments plus the Fire Department, the Marin County Free Library, the County Counsel’s Office, the County Administrator’s Office, Marin County Parks, and the Department of Public Works.
Luis Luciano, an employment development counselor, administers the program for the Probation Department and provides introductory employment training such as resume writing, interview preparation, public speaking, and best practices for completing job applications. He talks to the interns about cultural competency, conflict resolution, and financial literacy, and invites other County employees to speak to the group about their careers.
“I would want my own teenagers to take part in something like this if they could,” said Kevin Lynch, Director of Juvenile Probation Services. “It is not only a great chance to learn what it takes to both get and keep a job, but also a way to start building a resume, all while getting paid.”
Interns generally work weekdays between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., excluding holidays, and start with an orientation period. All participants receive $100 per week during the two-week orientation. Host departments then welcome selected interns and get them involved with projects that work well with their existing interests and skills. The interns are paid between $13.35 and $14.44 per hour.
A key objective of the program is to provide opportunities to youths who reside in communities and/or circumstances that traditionally present barriers to employment. This may include personal experiences with the juvenile justice system, family members with experience in either the juvenile or adult justice systems, or residence in neighborhoods often impacted by crime.
The program was borne from the County’s 5 Year Business Plan, which includes the focus areas of “diversity and inclusion” and “growth and development.” The Career Explorer program creates a diverse, skilled, and local candidate pool for employment opportunities in a manner that promotes growth and development. Those who complete the internships are recognized in a graduation ceremony in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers at the Marin County Civic Center.
The Probation Department uses funds from a state grant to cover the costs of stipends, work uniforms, food, transportation and supervision for the interns. Departments that employee the interns also contribute to the cost of the program.
The application form is online. To learn more about the program, or to obtain a printed application, contact Development Counselor Luis Luciano at Lluciano@marincounty.org.