What are the responsibilities and job description for the Ramsey County Planning Intern (Parent) position at Ramsey County?
Ramsey County is seeking seven talented undergraduate and/or graduate students with an interest in public works, planning, economic development, housing stability and food security to bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas to departments within the County’s Economic Growth and Community Investment (EGCI) and Health & Wellness service teams, which includes Community & Economic Development, Public Works, Housing Stability and Food Security.
Ramsey County’s mission is a vibrant community where all are valued and thrive. The goals guiding the work of EGCI and Health & Wellness Service Teams include:
- Cultivating economic prosperity and invest in neighborhoods with concentrated financial poverty.
- Enhancing access to opportunity and mobility for all residents and businesses through connections to education, employment and economic development throughout our region.
- Reducing barriers, eliminating racial disparities and maximizing key housing functions that create pathways to long-term, affordable housing.
- Working to improve food security and building a resilient food system for all residents.
This internship program offers students three months of full-time experience during the summer, with the potential to extend through the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. The program also partners with the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies to deliver this internship. Interns will have opportunities to connect with planning and transportation related programs at the University of Minnesota, as a part of their internship experience. The partnership between Ramsey County and CTS extends beyond transportation to offer a holistic view of how interconnected transportation is to public policy and planning sectors. Through this multidisciplinary collaboration, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience aimed at developing well-rounded professionals who understand the connections between different areas of public planning and governance.
Student interns will perform designated duties as assigned in accordance with the student's educational program and the needs of the department to which the student selects. Interns will also form a cohort that meets once per month for educational and professional development activities.
The openings available for each department are:
- Public Works Department:
- Program Delivery Division: 1 opening
- Multimodal Planning Division: 1 opening
- Community & Economic Development Department:
- Housing Focus: 1 opening
- Small Business Focus: 1 opening
- Housing Stability Department: 2 openings
- Food Security: 1 opening
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.This job class is limited to students in post-secondary schools. Duties are designed in light of the student's educational program in order to provide work experience that meets the department’s needs and complements the student's educational program.
Work is performed under the guidance of designated staff. Specific work assignments depend on the terms of the student's educational program and the department to which the student is assigned, and may include duties such as:
- Data collection and analysis;
- Documentation of findings;
- Preparation of written materials;
- Participation with departmental staff in discussions, program design and program implementation.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:1, 2, 3, 4.
Please review department-specific position descriptions for detailed examples.Education: Enrollment at a post-secondary school in coursework relevant to the duties of the department to which assigned.
Experience: None.
Preferred: Interest in developing and implementing programs and policies that seek to eliminate racial, cultural, and economic disparities within the community. Previous volunteer or work experience in government, nonprofits, or similar fields. Proven communication and writing skills.
Other: Employment as a Student Intern shall terminate upon graduation or upon failure to remain enrolled in school. With the approval of the appointing authority, employment may continue for up to six months after graduation.
There is no exam for this unclassified position. To be considered for these internships please submit the following documents:
- Complete the online application
- Submit a resume
- Submit a cover letter and explain your interest in the program
Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."
Criminal Background Checks:All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation:
Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
It is preferred that you apply online. If you are unable to apply online, you can print a paper application for this posting by clicking Paper Application (Download PDF reader). To apply with a paper application, you will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact Lindsey.Hunter@co.ramsey.mn.us
Salary : $19 - $23