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Urban Fellowship Internship Program
Urban Fellowship Internship Program
The City of Buffalo/Division of Citizen Services Urban Fellows Internship Program is designed to introduce our region’s most talented college students and graduates to local government and public service, through hands-on practical learning experiences. This unique opportunity, available for one semester, summer or one full academic year in duration, allows students to sharpen their skills, while discovering the many challenges that public government faces in addressing the needs and concerns of the public. In the quest to stop the exodus of young professionals leaving the region, the mission of this initiative is to encourage current students to remain in the Region by engaging them within the various ancillary programs that work to improve the quality of life within the City of Buffalo. This program gives many young people an opportunity to work in the fast-pace environment of the Division of Citizen Services. This division is comprised of a number of diverse ancillary programs which includes the following: Buffalo Weed & Seed Program, Call & Resolution Center, Citizen Participation & Information Office, Fair Housing Office, Office of Support Services, Save Our Streets Program and the Quality of Life Programs. Each program has its own unique goals and work toward delivering services to the City of Buffalo residents. By working closely with these programs, the Urban Fellows Interns will be acquiring valuable experience in the human service and governmental fields. Internship opportunities detailed below are available for each program housed within the Division of Citizen Services.
The Division of Citizen Services was created within the Executive Department to establish and maintain a centralized computer based system and procedures for receiving, processing and responding to inquiries, service requests, complaints and suggestions from citizens in a timely, accurate and professional manner by developing a centralized response center for citizen complaints, requests for services, and making referrals to appropriate departments, agencies and other service providers. Since its inception, the Division has acquired several ancillary programs aimed at working with residents, block clubs and organizations to better service the community.
General Statement of Duties:
The Administrative Intern must be able to provide routine apprentice-level clerical support in performance of office tasks requiring limited independent judgment. Duties include: Typing, filing, matching figures and names, reviewing names and words for accuracy, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, and assisting Administrative Assistant in completing the day-to-day functions of the office.
Supervision:
The Administrative Intern will be under close supervision of the Administrative Assistant. He/she will be given specific and detailed instructions to assist in completing the task assigned, but still should possess the ability to work independently.
Experience:
General knowledge of Microsoft Office Software is required. Will train.
Education:
Minimum of college level courses required. Equipment: Requires knowledge of standard office equipment. (Back to Top)
The Division of Citizen Services was created within the Executive Department to establish and maintain a centralized computer based system and procedures for receiving, processing and responding to inquiries, service requests, complaints and suggestions from citizens in a timely, accurate and professional manner by developing a centralized response center for citizen complaints, requests for services, and making referrals to appropriate departments, agencies and other service providers. Since its inception, the Division has acquired several ancillary programs aimed at working with residents, block clubs and organizations to better service the community.
General Statement of Duties:
The Public Relations Intern must be able to handle all public relations activities for the Division of Citizens Services. Duties include: produce and edit quarterly newsletter, produce press releases for Division to publicize all ancillary program events, produce brochures, flyers and other media tools, produce and prepare Policy & Procedures handbook, assist in the development of databases for ancillary programs and act as liaison for the Division.
Supervision:
The Public Relations Intern will be under close supervision of the Administrative Assistant. He/she will be given specific and detailed instructions to assist in completing the task assigned, but still should possess the ability to work independently.
Experience:
Understanding of public relations, general knowledge of Microsoft Office Software is required. Will train.
Education:
Minimum of college level courses required. Advertising, Public Relations and Communications majors welcomed.
Equipment:
Requires knowledge of standard office equipment. (Back to Top)
The City of Buffalo Fair Housing Office and the Fair Housing Officer were established to assist individuals in securing the suitable housing accommodations of their choice and to eliminate impediments that lead to discrimination in housing. The Fair Housing Officer accepts referrals and walk-in clients through the Division of Citizen Services. Buffalo has taken direct actions to stem the practice of discrimination in housing by contracting with four following Fair Housing Agencies that assist in our efforts to serve the local community with obtaining equal housing. Those agencies are: Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Legal Aid Bureau, Neighborhood Legal Services and the Buffalo Urban League. The agencies are monitored regularly to insure that the services they provide to the citizens of Buffalo are timely and appropriate.
General Statement of Duties:
The Fair Housing Intern must be able to provide the Fair Housing Officer with programmatic support in performance of office tasks requiring limited independent judgment. Duties include: Typing, filing, matching figures and names, reviewing names and words for accuracy, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, and assisting in the completion of the day-to-day functions of the office. To include and not limited to writing and submitting all requisite reports, execute program goals and objectives; organize broad based community support for projects; schedule meetings; process intake documents, and other duties as assigned.
Supervision:
The Fair Housing Intern will report directly to the Fair Housing Officer. He/she will be given specific and detailed instructions to assist in completing the task assigned, but still should possess the ability to work independently.
Experience:
General knowledge of Microsoft Office Software is required. Will train.
Education:
Minimum of college level courses required.
Equipment:
Requires knowledge of standard office equipment. (Back to Top)
The Mayor’s Call and Resolution Center (formally known as the Mayor’s Complaint Hotline) receives over 60,000 calls annually from the citizens and/or property owners of Buffalo, requesting information or city services. Over 35,000 requests are generated annually for services from city departments and agencies. Each service request is assigned a service number and the caller is sent an acknowledgment letter informing them of who will provide the service and an expected date for resolution. Resolution letters are also mailed when the requested service is completed, except for services performed within 24 hours like garbage or recycling pick-ups and snow plowing.
General Statement of Duties:
The Call & Resolution Center Intern must be able to provide routine apprentice-level clerical support in performance of office tasks requiring limited independent judgment. Duties include: Typing, filing, matching figures and names, reviewing names and words for accuracy, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, and assisting complaint clerks in completing the day-to-day functions of the center. Will be working in a fast-paced environment.
Supervision:
The Call & Resolution Center Intern will be under close supervision of the Call Center Supervisor. He/she will be given specific and detailed instructions to assist in completing the task assigned, but still should possess the ability to work independently.
Experience:
Should be able to type at least 25 wpm and have good communication skills (verbal and written). He/she must also have the ability to use proper grammar when communicating. General knowledge of Microsoft Office Software is required. Will train.
Education:
Minimum of college level courses required.
Equipment:
Requires knowledge of standard office equipment. (Back to Top)
The Justice Department’s Save Our Streets Program investigates illegal drug activity and uses city statutes and laws to evict tenants who are committing illegal acts from rental homes and works with homeowners to process evictions due to illegal or drug activity in residential properties. The City of Buffalo’s Save Our Streets Task Force also performs “Clean Sweeps” in conjunction with Buffalo Police aimed at targeting homes and streets where quality of life issues are being violated. This task force it is comprised of various law enforcement, private sector and government agencies throughout the region. The Save Our Street’s Program also offers 3 free landlord training program aimed at educating Landlords on their rights and finding out ways that would help them become better landlords, which would ultimately help to improve the housing stock and quality of life in the City of Buffalo.
General Statement of Duties:
The Save Our Streets Program Intern must be able to provide the Save Our Streets Program Coordinator with programmatic support in performance of office tasks requiring limited independent judgment. Duties include: Typing, filing, matching figures and names, reviewing names and words for accuracy, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, and assisting in the completion of the day-to-day functions of the office. To include and not limited to writing and submitting all requisite reports, execute program goals and objectives; organize broad based community support for projects; schedule meetings; process intake documents, and other duties as assigned. Intern may be required to attend events, activities, seminars and workshops to provide programmatic support to Program Coordinator.
Supervision:
The Save Our Streets Program Intern will be under close supervision of the Save Our Streets Program Coordinator. He/she will be given specific and detailed instructions to assist in completing the task assigned, but still should possess the ability to work independently.
Experience:
General knowledge of Microsoft Office Software is required. Will train.
Education:
Minimum of college level courses required.
Equipment:
Requires knowledge of standard office equipment. (Back to Top)
The Justice Department’s Weed and Seed Program represents a dynamic strategy for making Buffalo’s inner-city neighborhoods a healthy safer place to live. Working in collaboration with law enforcement, public agencies, local educational institutions, community organizations, and grass roots organizations to fight neighborhood blight and crime and rebuild neighborhoods. Weed and Seed engages neighborhood block clubs and other organizations in working with local, state, and federal agencies in fighting crime and developing activities for residents and youth to participate in neighborhood clean up and beautification initiatives.
General Statement of Duties:
The Weed & Seed Program Intern must be able to provide the Weed & Seed Program Coordinator with programmatic support in performance of office tasks requiring limited independent judgment. Duties include: Typing, filing, matching figures and names, reviewing names and words for accuracy, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, and assisting in the completion of the day-to-day functions of the office. To include and not limited to writing and submitting all requisite reports, execute program goals and objectives; organize broad based community support for projects; schedule meetings; process intake documents, and other duties as assigned. Intern may be required to attend events, activities and workshop to provide programmatic support to Program Coordinator.
Supervision:
The Weed & Seed Program Intern will be under close supervision of the Weed & Seed Program Coordinator. He/she will be given specific and detailed instructions to assist in completing the task assigned, but still should possess the ability to work independently.
Experience:
General knowledge of Microsoft Office Software is required. Will train.
Education:
Minimum of college level courses required.
Equipment:
Requires knowledge of standard office equipment. (Back to Top)
The Quality of Life Programs include Mayor Brown’s Quick Response Teams, which are dispatched as a first responder to quality of life issues throughout the city. The Clean & Seal crew cleans and boards up over 1,000 vacant homes a year, as well as assisting the city's snow removal efforts and vacant lot maintenance program. The Impact team has cleaned over 1,500 vacant buildings and vacant lots throughout the city and beginning this year will serve orders to vacate for the city’s Housing Court. The team includes staff from departments of Public Works, Parks & Streets; Economic Development, Permits & Inspections; Sewer Authority; Citizen Services and Police.
General Statement of Duties:
The Quality of Life Programs Intern must be able to provide the Quality of Life Programs Manager with clerical support in performance of office tasks requiring limited independent judgment. Duties include: Typing, filing, matching figures and names, reviewing names and words for accuracy, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, and assisting in the completion of the day-to-day functions of the office. To include and not limited to writing and submitting all requisite reports, execute program goals and objectives; organize broad based community support for projects; schedule meetings; process intake documents, and other duties as assigned. Intern may be required to attend events, activities, seminars and workshops to provide programmatic support to Program Manager.
Supervision:
The Quality of Life Program Intern will be under close supervision of the Quality of Life Programs Manager. He/she will be given specific and detailed instructions to assist in completing the task assigned, but still should possess the ability to work independently.
Experience:
General knowledge of Microsoft Office Software is required. Will train.
Education:
Some college level courses required.
Equipment:
Requires knowledge of standard office equipment. (Back to Top)
The Division of Citizen Services, per city charter, coordinates and oversees the Office of Citizen Participation and Information and the Citizens’ Advisory Committee. The office plans to implement the City of Buffalo’s first Citizens’ Participation Academy, develop marketing information on the city and its neighborhood, and implement a Block Club central registry for Block Clubs and Neighborhood watch organizations. Through the registry the city aims to effectively distribute pertinent valuable information regarding quality of life, city services and crime prevention information to over 300 block club leaders and various organizations via electronic or postal mail in a timely manner. The Citizen’s Academy provides an opportunity for residents to attend a ten week-long program, offered in the Fall and Spring, to engage Buffalo citizens and introduce them to City government. The Academy will teach citizens how the City of Buffalo is structured and managed; increasing their understanding of city functions and building capacity within the citizenry.
General Statement of Duties:
The Office of Citizen Participation & Information Intern must be able to provide the Citizen Participation & Information Coordinator with clerical support in performance of office tasks requiring limited independent judgment. Duties include: Typing, filing, matching figures and names, reviewing names and words for accuracy, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, and assisting in the completion of the day-to-day functions of the office. To include and not limited to writing and submitting all requisite reports, execute program goals and objectives; designing promotional materials; organize broad based community support for projects; schedule meetings; process intake documents, and other duties as assigned. Intern will also assist with research duties, as needed. Intern may be required to attend events, activities and workshops to provide programmatic support to Program Coordinator.
Supervision:
The Citizen Participation Academy Intern will be under close supervision of the Program Coordinator. He/she will be given specific and detailed instructions to assist in completing the task assigned, but still should possess the ability to work independently.
Experience:
General knowledge of Microsoft Office Software is required. Will train.
Education:
Minimum of college level courses required. Public Policy, Political Science, Advertising, Public Relations and Communications majors welcomed.
Equipment:
Requires knowledge of standard office equipment. (Back to Top)
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