Young Adult Career Academy Internship
Salary
$41,251.15 - $61,876.72 Annually
Location
(Ramsey County Government Center) Saint Paul, MN
Job Type
Internship
Job Number
2026-00372
Department
Workforce Solutions
Division
YouthSvcs/TANFlnn
Opening Date
07/15/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Union
Unrepresented
FLSA Status
nonexempt
Position Summary
2026 Young Adult Career Academy
HOURLY RATE: $19.832282
THE OPPORTUNITY:
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions is proud to host our Young Adult Career Academy (YACA), a paid career exploration and internship experience. YACA is a part of Ramsey County's Public Pathways Program and is designed to introduce local talent to careers at Ramsey County. YACA is open to Ramsey County residents ages 18-25 who are interested in learning more about careers in government, and who meet the programs eligibility criteria (see list of criteria below). This program is a 20-week commitment; during the first 10-weeks participants will rotate within departments across the county to learn more about the unique roles of county staff and to engage in professional development and job skills workshops. Professional learning topics include digital literacy, financial literacy, resume writing, personal empowerment, and more. The remaining 10 weeks will be spent in a paid internship within a designated county department such as Parks & Recreation, Public Works, Social Services, etc.
Important Information:
Participants are expected to commit to the full duration of the program from August 17th - December 23rd, 2026.
Weeks 1-10 Career Exploration: August 17th - October 16th
Weeks 11 - 20 Extended Internships: October 19th - December 23rd
The weekly commitment is Mon-Friday 9:00am -1:00pm, with professional development on Fridays.
Throughout the program participants will engage in professional development workshops and receive career coaching and job skills development.
Participants will be paid $19.83/hour and may receive support services (i.e. bus/gas cards for transportation assistance, business casual attire, etc.).
YACA orientation is planned to be held on August 17th from 9:00am -12:00pm and is mandatory for all participants.
Candidate interviews will occur on August 3rd and 4th, candidates must be available to interview on these dates.
Examples of Work Performed
Parks and Recreation - Soil & Water and Community Engagement, Maplewood
Manages nine county parks, six regional parks and five regional trail corridors with miles of trails that are perfect for walking, biking, mountain biking or cross-country skiing through the Countys diverse landscape. We also run 13 sheets of ice, a fieldhouse, three golf courses and a nature center. Participants will develop an understanding of the different jobs within the Parks Department, what goes into planning and maintaining the parks and facilities as well as understanding outdoor programming and community engagement.
Public Works, Arden Hills
Oversees the construction and maintenance of the county's transportation system (roads, bridges, traffic signals, road signs and storm water drains) and maintains the county's fleet of cars, dump trucks and construction/maintenance equipment. Participants will gain in-office and outdoor field experience by learning how roadway property is established, how roadway projects are constructed and how the condition of roads/ drainage systems are inspected. As well as the maintenance/repair of highway signs, roadways, small engine tools and fleet vehicles.
Emergency Communications Center, Saint Paul
Fields emergency and non-emergency telephone calls and text messages. Calls are prioritized and dispatched to police and/or fire personnel. Participants will learn the basics of what Public Safety Dispatchers and Telecommunicators do as well as listening to live 911 calls and observe the dispatching process.
Additional Experiences Included
Opportunities to learn about public sector careers & additional career pathways, how to apply for jobs in Ramsey County, use of social media platforms such as LinkedIn, meeting with County Commissioners, and tours of county/city facilities.
Minimum Qualifications
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Participants must live in Ramsey County
Have an interest in employment at Ramsey County and/or in government
Be between the ages of 18-25
Have a government issued picture identification and Social Security card/Birth Certificate.
Have a barrier to employment such as:
Pregnant or parenting
Limited English Proficiency
Dropped out of high school or at risk of dropping out
Justice involved
Receiving public assistance such as MFIP benefits
Youth in foster
Have a household income in alignment with the guideline shown below
Family Size
1 person
2 person
3 person
4 person
5 person
6 person
7 person
8 person
Total Household Income
$72,950 or less
$83,400 or less
$93,800 or less
$104,200 or less
$112, 500 or less
$120,900 or less
$129, 250 or less
$137,550 or less
Exam/Screening Process Information
This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. The department may choose to interview any candidate on the eligible list.
Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employees Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin. Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of our workforce.
The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact: Crystal.Diaz@ramseycountymn.gov
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf
Medical, dental and vision insurance
The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance - three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
MetLife Dental Insurance - two plan options offered
VSP Vision Insurance - Advantage Plan offered
Pre-tax Benefit Program
Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
Paid time off
Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
Retirement benefits
Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
Transit and parking
Fully funded Metropass.
Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
Employee well-being
Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
Wellness programming
Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
Life Insurance and Disability leave
County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
Long-term Disability - County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee's lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
Short-term Disability - option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
Career development
Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Employee resource groups - help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues
For information about Ramsey Countys 2026 benefits, visit: https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf
01
Are you a Ramsey County resident?
02
Are you between the ages of 18-25?
03
Select any barriers that you are currently experiencing. Check all that apply.
04
Select the type of public assistance you are receiving. Check all that apply.
05
I understand that if I am selected for this program I will need to provide: a) A copy of my Social Security Card b) Copy of Drivers License or photo ID with birthdate c) If I am a non- citizen, I will need to provide a copy of authorization to work in U.S.; i.e. Permanent Resident Card
06
Are you able to commit to all of the program dates during this program (August 17th - December 23rd, 2026)?
07
How did you hear about YACA? If you were referred by an organization. Please provide contact information (name, email, phone number and name of organization).
08
Briefly share why you are interested in this program and how you think it will help you grow.
Required Question
Employer Ramsey County
Address 121 East Seventh Place
Mail Stop 5200
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101
Phone (651) 266-2700