College Extern - Mayor's Office of Equal Protection

The City of Pittsburgh is looking for a qualified extern to join the Office of Equal Protection (OEP) within the Office of the Mayor for Winter/Spring 2025 semester (January-May 2025 or similar, depending on academic calendar) with the possibility of externship renewal in Fall 2025 semester. There is no promise of future employment on its conclusion. The externship is unpaid and may only be undertaken in conjunction with relevant academic program(s) and/or coursework, especially those in Law or Public Policy.

The OEP is responsible for executing the Mayor’s vision for workers’ rights, civil rights, and public safety by leveraging essential laws protecting the public health and welfare of Pittsburghers. These laws include the Paid Sick Days Act, the Prevailing Wage ordinance, the Ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity for Persons Previously Convicted ordinance, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Disruptive Properties ordinance. 

An extern will shadow the manager of the Office of Equal Protection. As an extern, you will learn hands-on about the laws designed to protect our communities, including the City’s most vulnerable citizens, from unfair labor practices, discrimination, and public nuisance. Externs can expect to observe and participate in development of relevant policies, practices, and processes.

The ideal candidate will have a diverse skill set that includes excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment, and—above all—a willingness and capacity to learn by doing. They should be flexible, curious, attentive to detail, and creative problem solvers. Externs should be prepared to work and learn in a fast-paced environment. They will finish the externship having gained hands-on, iterative experience assisting with drafting policy, investigating legal compliance, legal research and writing, and developing and following administrative systems and processes.

Department:  Mayor's Office of Equal Protection 

Posting Type:  Announcement.

Salary:  Unpaid Externship.

Union:  Non-union

Civil Service Classification:  Exempt

GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified.  Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.
• Applicants must be residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and must remain a resident throughout externship. 
  • Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.  

QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS:
Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position.  You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: None required for this position. 
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: Must be currently enrolled and taking classes in an accredited college or university undergraduate or graduate program; OR have graduated within the last twelve (12) months.  Must have a strong and demonstrated interest in some combination of the following: public policy, workers’ rights, civil rights, commercial property regulatory compliance, and/or regulatory enforcement. JD or MPP candidacy a plus.
• EQUIVALENCY: None permitted for this position.

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.

• Written: None required for this position.
• Performance: None required for this position.
• Medical: None required for this position.

• Learns about public policy, municipal governance, regulatory compliance, civil rights, workers’ rights, and public nuisance.
• Grow writing, editing, marketing, investigation, and research skills with instruction by supervising staff.
• Expands professional network and builds collegial relationships with civic leaders and policymakers.
• Shadows manager of OEP during meetings, working groups, presentations, events, and day-to-day work product.
• Learns about and assists with preparing reports, memos, letters, policy drafts, and other documents.
• Learns about and assists with legal research, compliance investigations, policy reviews, and constituent queries.
• Works closely with the following team members: Manager of the Office of Equal Protection, ADA and Disability Services Coordinator, citywide assistants and coordinators as necessary. 
• Learns about and assists with drafting and reviewing documents, communications, and policies on behalf of OEP staff.
• Learns about and assists with maintaining and updating data organizing systems and tools; maintaining comprehensive and accurate files, databases, records, documents, and reports.
• Assists with organizing and preparing for meetings and other OEP-hosted or -involved events, including scheduling, gathering documents, reviewing or preparing agendas and other materials in advance, and briefing OEP staff beforehand. Attends OEP meetings as requested and accurately records minutes. Provides support as a virtual meeting assistant.
• Assists in the creation of content for social media, brochures, City website, and other assets. Assists in the drafting of briefing materials.
• Trains and uses various software, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, project management, and presentations.
• Performs such other related tasks and duties that are assigned or required.

Click here to view the full job description including knowledge, skills, and abilities and working conditions for this position.  Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.