Youth Employment Program (YEP)

Job Description

City of Racine residents will earn a 4% differential on top of the hourly pay range.

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM: June 22nd, 2026 - August 14th, 2026

#FundamentalFridays: Every Friday from 9am-1pm.

Link to Facebook: City of Racine, Youth Employment Program - YEP | Racine WI | Facebook

Introduction

Mayor Cory Mason and the City of Racine are proud to reintroduce the Youth Employment Program. This structured 8-week internship program provides local youth, ages 16 to 24, with meaningful work placements across various City of Racine departments.

The program is designed to increase access to employment opportunities by offering hands-on training and real-world experience within local government. Interns will develop practical skills, gain professional exposure, and explore potential career pathways in public service.

More than a traditional summer program, the Youth Employment Program serves as a bridge between talent and opportunity—empowering youth with the tools, experience, and confidence needed to succeed in their future careers.

Position Purpose

Youth participants will have the opportunity to work alongside City of Racine professionals, engaging in hands-on projects, job shadowing, and gaining meaningful, real-world work experience. We offer a wide range of placements across various departments, including Marketing and social media, Construction, Inspections, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Early Education, Environmental Science, and more—allowing participants to explore diverse career pathways and build valuable skills for their future.

Expected Student Outcome

• Gain insight into various professional city government career paths.
• Develop confidence and the ability to adapt and overcome challenges.
• Experience working with city government, specifically the City of Racine.
• Network and build professional relationships to enhance your future.
• Gain realistic and practical experience in various fields allowing them to gain knowledge.
  
  

Essential Duties

Essential Duties

The essential duties of a summer internship for a city government department position can vary depending on the specific department and its needs. However, here are some common tasks and responsibilities that interns might be expected to perform. There may be opportunities to work outside of regular hours to attend events such as the Fourth of July Parade and other City of Racine events; however, attendance is not required.

Conditions Of Employment

• Interns will be placed within a City of Racine department or division based on their skills, interests, and video submission. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time of application submission.
• Interns may receive department-specific training; training experiences may vary by placement.
• Work schedules will be determined based on the needs of the department in which the intern is placed.
• Interns will participate in weekly professional development training every Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
• Each intern will be assigned a supervisor and/or mentor who will provide guidance, support, and ongoing feedback.
• Daily responsibilities will vary throughout the internship, providing a diverse and hands-on experience.
• Interns are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism throughout the internship.
• Interns may be required to complete program requirements, such as a final assignment and participation in a survey, to successfully complete the internship.
• Department leads will clearly communicate roles, responsibilities, and expectations to interns throughout the internship.
  
  

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:

• Age 16 -- 24 at the time of application submission
• Submitting part 1 and part 2 of application
• Interns may participate in the program for a maximum of two years. Applicants who have already completed two years in the Youth Employment Program are not eligible to apply.
  
  

Note: This is Part 1 of the application, Part 2 is to submit a video 1-3 minutes long. Please answers the following questions in your video:

Part Two Questions

• Introduce yourself by stating your name, school and major/pathway and a fun fact about yourself!
• Why are you interested in the City of Racine Youth Employment Program (YEP) and what are your top 2 career choices?
• What skills, life experiences or programs have prepared you for this internship? Provide specific examples related to the career you are interested in (for example - working on cars on the weekend, student government or content creation). If you do not have any experience, what are some personality traits of yours that would help you excel in our program?
• If your friends or peers could describe you, what would they say about you?
• This is a competitive program with many talented applicants. What makes you stand out and why should we select you for the internship?
  
  

Tips: Be yourself! We’re not looking for perfect answers, we want to get to know you. Speak clearly, give real examples, and show us your personality. Feel free to add pictures, showcase your work, and be creative!

Here are some tips and examples while you create your video. Remember to follow all qualifications and be yourself!

• Example 1: https://youtu.be/NWWaOWRRR38
• Example 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyFaBZ_BQhc
  
  

Email your part 2 to yep@cityofracine.org The subject line should say " [First & Last Name] YEP Application - Part 2".

Deadline to submit video April 15th, 2026 at 11:59pm

Please Do Not Submit Your Video Via Text Message. All Video Submissions Must Be Sent Via Email Only. If You Experience Difficulty Sending a Large Video File, You May Use One Of The Following Options

• Google Drive – Upload your video and update the sharing settings to “Anyone with the link”.
• YouTube – Upload your video and ensure it is set to Public or Unlisted (Private videos will not be considered).
• Flash Drive Drop-Off – Save your video to a flash drive and drop it off at City Hall. Please email YEP in advance if you plan to use this option.
  
  

Preferred Qualification

Some departments may require an intern to have some background in a specific field before the beginning of the internship. City of Racine residency is preferred but NOT required.

Knowledge, Skill, And Abilities

• Demonstrate respectful and professional communication when interacting with the public.
• Be flexible and willing to collaborate with others.
• Follow directions effectively and remain open to feedback.
• Arrive on time and be prepared at the start of each work shift.
• Communicate promptly about any schedule changes or emergencies that may impact attendance.
• Be willing to attend meetings, events, and training sessions related to your department.
• Maintain a positive attitude and work well with others in a shared workspace.
• Demonstrate a “can-do” mindset and a willingness to learn new tasks, even outside your comfort zone.
  
  

Supplemental Information

Special Requirements

If the department has special requirements youth interns will be made aware of ahead of time.

Physical Demands Of The Position

Physical demands will vary depending on the department the intern is assigned to.

Department manager or contact will clearly state what the physical demands will be during training.

Equipment

Equipment used may vary per department for the summer internship program. Youth interns will receive the proper training needed if they are assigned to use special equipment.

This job description is intended to identify essential duties and illustrates other types of duties that may be assigned. It should not be interpreted as describing all the duties that will be required of an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments that an individual is required to perform. In addition to the responsibilities and duties listed, it is expected that employees will maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record. Job descriptions are subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the City of Racine.

The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

No Benefits Offered

01

Are you CURRENTLY between the ages of 16 - 24? (This information will be verified at the onboarding session)

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Please Enter In Your Current Age

• 14
• 15
• 16
• 17
• 18
• 19
• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26
  
  

03

The Youth Employment Program does provide interns with a T-shirt or Polo, please select your shirt size below.

• XS
• S
• M
• L
• XL
• XXL
• XXXL
• XXXXL
  
  

04

What city do you live in?

• Racine
• Caledonia
• Mount Pleasant
• Sturtevant
• Waterford
• Kenosha
• Burlington
• Union Grove
• Milwaukee
• Other
  
  

05

If you do not live in one of the cities mentioned above, please type the name of the city you live in. If you selected your city above type N/A

06

Do you have any scheduling conflicts or restrictions? (Examples: summer classes, sports, family commitments, etc.)

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

Are you available to work the full duration of the program (June 22nd – August 14th, 2026)?

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

If you answered “No” above, please explain your availability. (Reminder: You are only allowed to miss up to 5 days during the program)

09

Are you under the age of 18 years old? (If so, your parent/guardians will be required to sign additional paperwork for your participation in the employment program.)

• Yes
• No
  
  

10

If you are currently a student, please select your school from the list provided.

• Washington Park
• J.I Case
• Horlick
• St. Catherine
• Lutheran
• Walden
• REAL School
• University of Wisconsin - Parkside
• Carthage College
• Gateway Technical College
• Herzing University
• Not a student
• Other
  
  

11

If your school is not listed, please enter the name of your school. (If you selected your school above or are not a student, please enter N/A.)

12

Please select your top three career interests from the options below:

• Criminal Justice/Police Department
• Fire Awareness/Fire Department
• Marketing/Social Media/Graphic Design
• Environmental Science/Water Testing
• Financial Literacy
• Park Maintenance/Outside Labor
• Information Technology
• GIS
• Data Analyst
• Administrative Assistant / Office Assistant
• Maintenance/Mechanic
• Human Resources
• Construction/Street Maintenance
• Early Childhood Education / Community Center
• City Planning/Real Estate
• Elections/Political Science
• History/Government Affairs
• Forestry
• Community Outreach & Engagement
  
  

13

Have you worked for the City of Racine? (i.e. student worker, internship, fulltime/part time or election commission?) If so, please list the name of previous position and department?

14

Have you previously been a Youth Employment Program intern in the past?

• Yes
• No
  
  

15

If yes, what year(s) did you serve?

16

Do you have a valid Driver's License? (a requirement for some positions that includes driving)

• Yes
• No
  
  

17

The City of Racine requires all employees to enroll in direct deposit. Do you currently have a bank account? (Please note: Services such as Chime or Cash App are not considered established bank accounts.)

• Yes
• No, but I will obtain a bank account before orientation.
• No, and I need assistance obtaining a bank account.
  
  

18

If you answered yes to the above question, list the name of your bank.

19

Do you understand that this is Part 1 of the application process? To be considered for employment, you must also complete Part 2, which includes submitting a 1–3-minute video. (Your video must not be set to private. Additional details are provided at the top of this application.)

• Yes - I will be submitting Part 2 of the application via email by April 15th, 2026 at 11:59pm
• No - I will NOT be submitting Part 2 of the application. Therefore, my application will INCOMPLETE.
  
  

20

Do you understand that, if selected, you will be considered a City of Racine employee and must: Attend an in-person new employee orientation, Provide required employment documentation (e.g., Social Security card, valid identification)

• Yes
• No
  
  

21

Work Availability: Interns are scheduled to work up to 25 hours per week, Monday–Friday between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Are you available to work within this timeframe?

• Yes
• No
  
  

22

How did you hear about the City of Racine's Youth Employment Program?

• Friend / Relative
• I participated as an intern in the past
• From a previous intern
• High School
• College
• Social Media
• Community Event
• Text Alert
• Required Question