• The internship program will begin to provide the Department of Community Affairs and/or Local Governmental Units with a potential talent pool from which to hire upon graduation.
• The student is thoroughly exposed to established employer practices while they are still at a formative level to improve their social and professional skills in a “real world” setting.

There will be two “internship modules”, one based upon the academic year (September -April) and the other during the summer recess (May – August).  The internship program anticipates that students will work in-person a minimum of 12 hours per week during the academic year and between 30 and 35 hours a week during the summer recess.

Although the internship’s primary objective is to provide the student with practical education and experience, students participating in the internship program will receive compensation (unless this compensation conflicts with university/college program requirements). Therefore, there will be associated costs based on the number of paid interns and the hourly rate provided.  It is anticipated that there will be up to 30 paid interns per internship module.  Paid interns will be considered “TES employees” with an hourly rate to be determined.

All DCA assignments will be in-person within the Department of Community Affairs, 101 South Broad Street, Trenton - After an In-House Orientation Program, depending on the needs of the various Divisions within the Department of Community Affairs, the internship assignments may include, but are not limited to, internships assignments within the Division of Local Government Services, Division of Codes and Standards, Information Technology, the Office of Information Policy, and the Urban Enterprise Zone Authority.  The intern will occasionally participate in meetings (when appropriate) to observe the interaction between governmental units and/or the public.  Please refer to the following pages of this document for greater detail of internship positions by Division.

Based upon the student’s internship assignment, career interests, geographic location, and transportation flexibility,  time could be spent in a field assignment in either a local field office of the DCA or with a Local Government Unit (County or Municipal Government).  For example, a student interning in Local Government Services could be assigned to a local government unit to observe and participate where possible with the preparation of their budget and financial statements along with the preparation of supporting accounting schedules and/or documentation or the reconciling of schedules to their source documents. 

College internships may grant credit toward a degree completion and the granting of credit depends on the student’s academic institution.  The Department of Community Affairs will make every attempt possible to adhere to the requirements of the academic institution so that the student will receive academic credit when applicable, but participation in the internship does not guarantee the student credit from their academic institution.  It is the student’s responsibility to request and obtain credit from their academic institution, if applicable.

Preference will be given to Graduate Students and Undergraduate Students who are in their Junior or Senior Year of study, but Freshmen and Sophomores are welcome to apply.  In addition, preference will be given to students who indicate that they are open to the possibility of a career in government.

Students will apply to the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs

• Candidates will submit a cover letter describing why they are interested in a career in government service, along with a current resume, and three (3) references to (DCAinternships@dca.nj.gov). Deadlines will be established based upon the time needed to review and interview the candidates prior to the start of each internship module. Deadline extensions may be granted if requested by an academic institution or by a DCA Division Director.
• Candidates will be evaluated or screened based on the information submitted and may be asked to participate in a short virtual interview via Teams.
• We reserve the right to interview and select successful candidates as applications are received during applicable semesters.

The student selected for the internship, as a condition of participation, is required to adhere to the following:

• The student is expected to comply with all pertinent university rules and regulations and all policies, rules, and regulations of the Department of Community Affairs.
• Submit bi-weekly timesheets detailing their time worked along with assignment reports to their Intern Coordinator. If the student is requesting academic credit, the assignment reports will be prepared in conformity with the academic institution’s requirements.
• If requested, prepare a short presentation at the completion of the internship which includes:
  • A summary of the assignments they completed during the internship program, and whether the internship satisfactorily met their expectations and utilized aspects of their academic background.
• Observe regular attendance and punctuality on the job.
• Be cooperative and conduct oneself in a professional and responsible manner.
• Dress appropriately for an office environment (business casual).
• Adhere to a Code of Confidentiality with respect to all information in which the student is exposed.   
• Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude toward the work assignments.
• Assume responsibility for travel to and from their assignment including parking expenses, when applicable. It is required that the student will have access to a vehicle or public transportation to the Department of Community Affairs Office in Trenton.

Division of Codes and Standards

Office of Communications

Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation

Division of Fire Safety

Office of Information Privacy

Information Technology

Division of Local Government Services

Urban Enterprise Zone Authority