City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
UPDATED: The below was updated on June 18 to reflect the correct day of the week that the application period closes, Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach has launched the application period for 2024-2025 Long Beach Public Service Corps program which provides college students interested in pursuing careers in local government, nonprofit management and public service an opportunity to engage in paid fellowship opportunities across City departments, allowing participants to gain practical experience and develop the skills necessary for various in-demand occupations. Applications for the second cohort are available now through Sunday, June 30, 2024.
“We are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders in public service,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The Public Service Corps program provides college students with a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in our community while gaining invaluable real-work experience. Paired with wraparound services and job counseling, this program is changing the way we offer workforce development opportunities for our residents.”
Launched in 2023 in partnership with California State University, Long Beach; California State University, Dominguez Hills; and Long Beach City College, the fellowship placement program is intended to foster economic inclusion and expand opportunities for residents, including young people, to develop successful career paths. Through this program, students can work alongside experienced professionals, gain insights into the inner workings of City departments and contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact the Long Beach community. In addition to the paid fellowship, throughout the program, participants will engage in professional development workshops designed to highlight important topics in public service, such as budgeting, community engagement, crisis management, sustainability, ethics and policy.
Long Beach Public Service Corps is available to Long Beach residents who are college seniors at California State University, Long Beach; or California State University, Dominguez Hills; or residents who are current students with at least 30 completed at Long Beach City College. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 before the first day of the program. The 2024-2025 cohort will include 50 students who will intern with a City department from October 2024 through May 2025.
Eligible residents are encouraged to apply online now through June 30, 2024. Those interested can review additional program information and find and submit the application on the program webpage at longbeach.gov/psc. The page also features additional information about the program.
“This program is a critical investment in the next generation of public service leaders. Members earn money, gain valuable skills, and jumpstart their careers while providing meaningful service to the community,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “Paid service is empowering Californians to make a meaningful impact in Long Beach and across our state.”
The fellowship is an effort between the City’s Department of Economic Development’s Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network, the Department of Human Resources, and legislative offices and support staff. Pacific Gateway oversees the management of the program on behalf of the City, including case management and payroll coordination, and supportive wraparound services such as transportation assistance, clothing vouchers, rental assistance and utility payment assistance, to ensure participants have the flexibility and a foundation of support to participate in the program successfully. Participants will also receive follow-up services such as job counseling, employment placement and access to industry-recognized training to support their long-term career goals.
The City has collaborated with educational stakeholders, including deans of public administration programs, college and career center staff, workforce development executives and Long Beach College Promise program staff, to design and promote this program to eligible students and encourage participation. The next virtual information session to learn more about the program is scheduled to take place Friday, June 21, at 10 a.m.: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647271477.
The Long Beach Public Service Corps program is funded by a $2.5 million grant from the California Governor’s Office through their #CaliforniansForAII Youth Jobs Corps initiative administered by California Volunteers. The #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps aims to bring together youth across the state to help address urgent challenges in California’s communities through partnership with municipalities and community-based organizations. The grant also supports other youth employment efforts coordinated by Pacific Gateway, including public service internships across the city and the Long Beach Youth Climate Corps. The program is also supported by a one-time allocation of $300,000 from the City’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget which was approved by the full City Council on Sept. 5, 2023. This one-time funding to the Economic Development Department’s Workforce Development Bureau, operating as Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network, supports the design and implementation of the Long Beach Public Service Corps program.
More information about Pacific Gateway is available at pacific-gateway.org.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.