Intern - Undergraduate (Austin Financial Services)

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

 By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.Under general supervision, this position assists in general administrative or research functions to develop a working knowledge of a targeted area in municipal government.

Who We Are: 
Our department provides a variety of financial services and programs. Austin Financial Services (AFS) serves residents, vendors, and City departments.  

Our mission is to serve as a trusted steward of public resources with integrity and accountability to ensure a fiscally sound city. 

Our staff supports a wide variety of financial processes, including preparing the annual budget and annual fiscal report, procurement processes, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, and overseeing the City's investment portfolio and debt management. 

As an internal support function within the larger City organization, AFS is proud to serve and act as a leader in financial management to its partner departments. Job Description:

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Observes and assists professionals in the assigned department to learn about areas of career interest.

• Assists, as necessary, in the coordination, administration, or monitoring of specific programs.

• Assists, as necessary, with researching, collecting and organizing data, performing analyses, and preparing reports to supplement knowledge gained through academic courses.

• Participates, as necessary, in finding solutions to existing problems and discusses recommendations with administrative personnel to acquire skills in problem solving.

• Assists with special projects.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed. ​

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.

• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.

• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of statistical analysis.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Skill in using computers and related software applications.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

• Ability to operate a computer keyboard and other basic office equipment.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

• Ability to create clear and concise reports.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.

• Enrolled in an accredited college or university undergraduate degree program, with some advanced coursework related to the internship program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 including Excel, Word, SharePoint, or in similar document management systems and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Experience with Canva, or in similar design software.

• Demonstrated accuracy for maintaining data, records, documentation, auditing, and gathering data analysis.

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Licenses and Certifications Required: None

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview:
Austin Financial Services supports the City of Austin by stewarding public funds, ensuring financial integrity, and advancing equitable, transparent, and effective financial practices across City operations. The department partners closely with City leadership, departments, and the community to support redevelopment efforts, procurement oversight, records management, and compliance with state and local requirements.

Austin Financial Services is currently seeking three (3) intern positions, with varying start dates, durations, and responsibilities across multiple divisions. Applicants will be asked to identify the position that best aligns with their interests and experience as part of the application process.

The Community-Focused Communications Intern will support public engagement and outreach efforts for the St. John and Grove–Riverside redevelopment projects within the Redevelopment Division. This role focuses on creating clear, accessible communication materials and coordinating community-facing content, including fact sheets and one-pagers, e-newsletter drafts and layouts, social media posts and graphics, and website content updates for City of Austin project webpages and SpeakUp Austin. This position follows a hybrid schedule (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 15–20 hours per week), with at least one in-office day preferred. The internship is expected to begin during the spring semester, with potential for extension. Workdays are flexible, and half-day in-office schedules may be accommodated.

The Rate Review Revitalization Project – Phase 1 Intern will support the Capital Procurement Division in refining the City's rate review processes in alignment with Texas State Statute 2254. This role includes auditing and analyzing overhead rates, expanding the City's standard title list, establishing fair and reasonable raw rates, assisting with the development of a more robust overhead self-certification process for auditing firms, and helping establish a new rate review request submission process. This internship follows a hybrid schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and is anticipated to run from February through May.

The Rate Review Enhancement Project – Phase 2 Intern, also within the Capital Procurement Division, builds on the Phase 1 work and supports the transition to eCAPRIS. This role focuses on data analysis to assess and establish fair and reasonable rate caps for standard titles and overhead rates, as well as developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the updated process. This internship follows a hybrid schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and is expected to run from February through May or June.

The Records and Information Management Intern will support the Central Records Division by assisting with records organization, digitization, and disposition initiatives within a financial services environment. This role provides exposure to public records laws, compliance standards, and information governance practices within a large municipal organization. Responsibilities include reviewing and appraising records to identify duplicates, digitizing Treasury records, integrating appraisal records into acquisition folders, preparing records for disposition, organizing files within SharePoint, and helping establish standardized file naming conventions.

Pay Range:

$22.05 per hour

Hours:

Part-time 10-20 hours per business week
Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telework opportunities may be available after an initial training period. Work schedules are implemented to meet the requirements of the department and are subject to change based on business needs.
 

Location: 

Various City Locations

Application Details: 

• A detailed, complete COA employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position. 

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. 

• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.  

• A cover letter is required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position. 

• A résumé is also required but will not substitute for a complete COA employment application. Resumes are not accepted in place of a completed online application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the detailed and relevant work experience, which would qualify them for the position.   

• When completing the City of Austin employment application, the work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number. 

• If information that is listed as "required" is not included in the application, the application will be considered "Incomplete" and will not be accepted. 

• Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview. 

• Use of AI is strictly prohibited to respond to the application and during the interview process.

• Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.
   

Additional Details: 

• Austin Financial Services may close this job posting at any time after it has been advertised for seven (7) days, please apply as soon as possible if interested.

• This position may require a skills assessment. 

• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED equivalent, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required. 

• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). 

• If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, we may contact your current and former employer.

• If you are identified as a top military candidate or a veteran, you must provide a copy of your DD-214. 

Travel: 

If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations. 
 

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: 

When the same or an additional vacancy occurs within a department in the same job title within 90 days after the start date of the top candidate, the hiring department may offer the additional position to another candidate from the same candidate pool. 

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

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