Intern - Human Resources

The Intern position provides students or recent graduates with hands-on experience in local government operations through meaningful project-based work, professional development opportunities, and exposure to public service careers. Interns will support departmental initiatives while developing practical workplace skills, communication abilities, and professional knowledge related to their field of study and career interests.

This position is designed to provide valuable learning opportunities while assisting departments with operational, administrative, technical, research, or customer service functions.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assist department staff with daily operations and assigned projects
• Conduct research, gather data, and prepare reports or presentations
• Provide administrative support including filing, document preparation, scheduling, and data entry
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development activities
• Assist with customer service and communication efforts as appropriate
• Support special projects and departmental initiatives
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Follow County policies, procedures, and safety standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

DEPARTMENT-SPECIFICFUNCTIONS 

• Assist with recruitment activities including job postings, application tracking, interview scheduling, and candidate communications
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes including document preparation, orientation coordination, and file maintenance
• Help maintain and audit employee records in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and County retention policies
• Assist with benefits administration tasks such as enrollment support, carrier communications, and employee inquiries
• Support payroll functions by assisting with timesheet review, data entry, and reconciliation under staff supervision
• Assist with the administration of employee relations activities including documentation, meeting coordination, and follow-up tracking
• Help develop and update HR policies, procedures, employee handbooks, and standard operating procedures
• Support compliance efforts related to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), FMLA, ADA, and other employment regulations
• Assist with training and development initiatives including logistics coordination, material preparation, and attendance tracking
• Contribute to HR reporting and workforce analytics by compiling data and preparing summaries or dashboards
• Support performance management processes including tracking evaluation cycles and maintaining related documentation
• Participate in the evaluation and implementation of HR information systems (HRIS) and related technology tools
• Perform other HR-related duties as assigned by the department supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current enrollment in an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree program in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related field; or a recent graduate within the past 12 months
• Demonstrated interest in public service, local government, or human resources as a career field
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive government and personnel data

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Fundamental HR concepts including recruitment, benefits, employee relations, and workforce planning
• Employment laws and regulations including EEO, FMLA, ADA, and FLSA
• HR information systems and productivity platforms, particularly Microsoft 365
• Basic data management, reporting, or research methods preferred

Skills in:

• Organizing tasks, managing priorities, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Written and verbal communication, including the ability to handle sensitive matters with professionalism
• Researching HR topics and summarizing findings clearly
• Attention to detail in document preparation and recordkeeping

Ability to:

• Learn and adapt quickly to new systems, policies, and County-specific HR tools
• Work effectively under supervision while also taking initiative on assigned tasks
• Handle sensitive personnel information with discretion and professionalism
• Interact respectfully and collaboratively with County staff and the public
• Follow established policies, procedures, and confidentiality protocols

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current enrollment in technical program, college, or graduate program; or recent graduate within the past 12 months
• Interest in public service, local government, or related career field
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Office or related software
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS.

Work is generally performed in an office or professional environment. Some positions may require standing, walking, lifting, or fieldwork depending on departmental assignment.

WORK SCHEDULE & ENVIRONMENT

Internship work environment and schedules may vary based on departmental needs and program structure. Flexible scheduling may be available to accommodate academic commitments.