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Job Description
Description
City of Palo Alto 2026 Summer Internship Program
This summer, don’t just intern-make an impact.
The City of Palo Alto invites you to apply for our 2026 Summer Internship Program, featuring 20 paid internship opportunities across multiple departments.
Whether your interests lie in public policy, planning, transportation, communications, parks, or library services, you will work on meaningful projects that support one of the most innovative and civically engaged cities in the world.
Additional internship opportunities within our Public Works Department will be posted soon.
If you are looking for hands-on experience, professional growth, and direct exposure to how local government operates at a high level, this is your opportunity.
Why Intern With Us?
Palo Alto is more than a center of innovation-it is a city where ideas move from concept to implementation.
Home to Stanford University, pioneering technology companies, and an engaged civic community, Palo Alto blends forward-thinking progress with strong public leadership. With 36 parks, five libraries, vibrant business districts, and nationally recognized sustainability initiatives, the City delivers services that shape daily life.
As an intern, you won’t observe from the sidelines. You will contribute to real work that serves the community.
What You’ll Gain- Hands-on experience in your chosen field
- Exposure to city leadership and public decision-making
- Professional mentorship from experienced staff
- Skill development in research, communications, analysis, and project management
- Networking opportunities with professionals and fellow interns
- The opportunity to contribute to projects with visible community impact
Who Should Apply?
We encourage applications from:- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Recent graduates seeking meaningful experience
- Students passionate about public service, innovation, and problem-solving
If you want your work to matter, we encourage you to apply.
Internship Highlights & Events
Interns participate in a structured summer experience that includes:- City Orientation and Tour
- Leadership Development Workshops
- Networking Events
- Industry Panels and Q&A Sessions
- Site Visits and Field Experiences
- Closing Ceremony and Reception
This program is designed to provide both practical experience and professional development.
Internship Opportunities by Department
Important:- This is a general informational posting.
- To be considered, applicants must apply directly to each department-specific posting.
- A link to each department’s individual posting can be found under the corresponding department section below.
City Manager’s Office - Help Shape Policy and Civic Leadership
Gain hands-on experience in communications, community engagement, public policy research, and City government processes.
Internship work may involve:- Digital communications initiatives
- Creating social media series, including graphic design, video, and content creation
- Public policy research and strategic analysis
- Community engagement efforts
- Strategic projects that drive engagement and policy development
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About the City Manager’s Office
Library Services - Be Part of the Future of Public Learning
Join a nationally recognized public library system serving a dynamic and engaged community.
Internship work may involve:- Youth programming and community engagement
- Digital literacy and emerging technology initiatives
- Instructional design and media services support
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About Library Services
Office of Transportation - Help Design the Future of Urban Mobility
Work on initiatives that improve safety, accessibility, and transportation efficiency across Palo Alto.
Internship work may involve:- Transportation planning and engineering support
- Traffic calming and program process improvement
- Parking policy and curb management
- Safe Routes to School initiatives
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About the Office of Transportation
Open Space, Parks & Golf Division (Community Services Department) - Build Better Public Spaces
Support the stewardship and enhancement of Palo Alto’s parks and recreational assets.
Internship work may involve:- Asset inventory and documentation
- Asset management system development
- Operational analysis and lifecycle planning
- Cross-functional coordination
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About the Open Space, Parks & Golf Division
Planning & Development Services - Shape the Built Environment
Contribute to projects that strengthen Palo Alto’s design legacy and improve public access to planning resources.
Internship work may involve:- Research and documentation
- Public-facing content development
- Historic resource updates
- GIS coordination and data organization
To Apply and Learn More About These Positions | Learn More About Planning & Development Services
Public Works Internship Opportunities - Coming Soon
Additional internship opportunities within the Public Works Department will be posted soon. These roles typically focus on engineering, sustainability, infrastructure systems, and environmental initiatives.
Stay tuned.
Apply Now
Launch your career where innovation meets public service.
Apply directly to the department postings that align with your interests. Applicants may apply to multiple department postings to maximize consideration.
Join us this summer-your future starts with the City of Palo Alto!
This is a non-benefited position.
Closing Date/Time: 3/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
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