City Hall and School of Nursing Buildings

Chancellor’s Mayoral Internship Program

The Chancellor’s Mayoral Internship Program is a five-year partnership between Rutgers University–Camden and the City of Camden Office of the Mayor. 

The Chancellor’s Mayoral Internship Program is a five-year partnership between Rutgers University–Camden and the City of Camden Office of the Mayor. The summer internship program is designed to provide five selected students the opportunity to work in municipal government in five priority areas identified by the sitting Mayor. Students selected for the internship program will gain service-learning experience, participate in community outreach, and build professional networks for potential careers in public service. The internships will allow Rutgers–Camden students to spend eight weeks working alongside local city government officials each summer.

Opportunities within the Chancellor’s Mayoral Internship Program will result in students strengthening neighborhoods, supporting educational programming, expanding access to arts and cultural partnerships, cultivating the growth of small businesses, and supporting local residents pertaining to tenant rights and housing insecurity.

All Positions for Summer 2023 Are Filled.

Applications for Summer 2024 Positions will Open in December 2023. 

Rutgers University-Camden has partnered with the Mayor’s Office to create the Chancellor’s Mayoral Internship Program. Positions are usually available in the following areas:

  • One position available.

    • Coordinate with local business chambers and entrepreneur training programs on local sourcing initiatives.
    • Help facilitate the development of a local sourcing/business web-portal.
    • Communicate with potential Microenterprise Business Assistance Program applicants.
    • Provide assistance to the Zoning Officer and Board Secretaries along with related research.
    • Provide assistance to the Director with identifying a jobs program for initiating code enforcement awareness.
    • Take incoming calls and direct to appropriate offices.
    • Draft email responses to constituent inquiries.
    • May be assigned special projects as needed.
  • Available to Law Students only. Two positions available.

    • Conduct legal research.
    • Draft legal memorandum.
    • Draft briefs.
    • Draft motions.
    • Draft ordinances and legislation.
    • Observe proceedings in Municipal Court and Superior Court.
    • Other legal proceedings (i.e. depositions, disciplinary hearings etc.).
    • Take incoming calls and direct to appropriate offices.
    • Draft email responses to constituent inquiries.
    • May be assigned special projects as needed.
  • One position available.

    • Work directly with Mayor’s Office, Communications, and Constituent Services.
    • Conduct outreach to neighborhood groups, non-profits, corporations, institutions, and community stakeholders.
    • Assist with dissemination of information to community.
    • Assist with Mayor’s Camden Strong community cleanup campaign.
    • Take incoming calls and direct to appropriate offices.
    • Draft email responses to constituent inquiries.
    • May be assigned special projects as needed.
  • One position available.

    • Research, as needed, by Council members. (i.e. drafting legislation, review of legal and city policies).
    • Review and summarize items on council agenda (possibly meeting with City Directors).
    • Work with Records Manager to research, review, and approve historic grant availability and content.
    • File municipal records in State-certified imaging system.
    • Review records for appropriate retention period in compliance with State of NJ requirements.
    • Schedule onsite secure shredding events, assist and oversee shredding of municipal records.
    • Prepare records management training materials for City-wide dispersal.
    • Program new workflows within document imaging system.
    • Input receipt book data into spreadsheet for analysis.
    • Scan daily documents.
    • Update informational pamphlets.
    • Prepare reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations on records practices.
    • Take incoming calls and direct to appropriate offices.
    • Draft email responses to constituent inquiries.
    • May be assigned special projects as needed.

Qualifications

  • NJ or City of Camden residency NOT required for this internship. Full-time undergraduate students may apply for positions in Economic Development, Municipal Clerk, Records & Archives and Special Projects & Events.  Full-time Law students may apply for Legal Assistance and Support positions.
  • Interns must be current students at Rutgers-Camden matriculated in a degree program and returning for the Fall 2023 semester in good academic standing.
  • Interns will have to successfully complete a background check and drug test provided by the Office of the Mayor prior to the start of their internship.

Strong Applicants Possess:

  • Interest in working within community engagement/public service
  • Demonstrated skills and qualifications relevant to internship position
  • Connection between career goals and internship opportunity
  • Self-motivation, reliability, and commitment
  • Enthusiasm and the ability to learn

How to Apply

  • Applications for Summer 2024 will open in December 2023.
  • Qualified applicants will be invited to a group interview on a date in February 2024 and to an individual interview with the City of Camden Office of the Mayor.