Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) Overview

Thank you for your interest in the City of Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP)!

Kern Community Foundation has partnered with the City of Bakersfield to administer the Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP). With the support of a $5.39 million grant from California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, BYJP will hire youth aged 16 to 30 years old and place them into meaningful employment opportunities. The program includes a paid high school summer internship program, a paid parks mobile recreation internship, a paid apprenticeship program, a paid college-level fellowship program, and partnerships with nonprofits to employ underserved youth. An array of entry-level career paths are identified in City departments and nonprofit organizations. These pathways will provide both hands-on and technical training to equip youth with experience and knowledge to prepare them for future, permanent employment.

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City Hall Summer Internship Requirements & Duration

The City Hall Summer Internship Program offers an eight-week opportunity for high school youth to work part-time with City Departments on important projects and initiatives. This paid internship serves as a gateway to exploring careers in public service, providing students with hands-on experience alongside departmental staff. Duties include assisting with administrative tasks such as typing, correspondence management, record-keeping, data analysis, and program support. In addition to the $18.00 hourly wage, participants will benefit from career development services provided by the Kern Community Foundation, which include professional workshops, travel stipends, mentorship, and educational outings. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and willing to commit to a part-time schedule of 20 to 25 hours per week, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM PST, with specific schedules determined by Department Supervisors.

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Parks Mobile Recreation Internship Program Overview

The Parks Mobile Recreation Internship Program offers an eight-week, paid opportunity for youth aged 18 to 30 to work part-time with the City’s Recreation & Parks Department. Serving as a pathway to a career in public service, interns will gain valuable experience by engaging with diverse groups of children, participating in pop-up recreation activities, assisting in facilitating recreational programming, and organizing special events, all while creating lasting memories for children. In addition to the $19.00 hourly wage, participants will benefit from career development workshops provided by both the Kern Community Foundation and the Recreation & Parks Department. Other benefits include travel stipends, mentorship, and field trips.

Parks Mobile Recreation Internship Requirements & Duration

• Internships shall take place from Monday, June 17, 2024, through Friday, August 9, 2024.
• Interns are expected to work 20 hours per week, Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM PST with some flexibility to work on the weekends.

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City Hall Apprenticeship Program Overview

The City Hall Apprenticeship Program is a six-month, paid internship where youth ages 18 to 30 will work part-time as Apprentices with the City of Bakersfield’s Public Works Department. Compensation for this opportunity is $23.00 an hour. As a pipeline to a career in public service, Apprentices will perform maintenance, repairs, and overhaul of the City’s light and/or heavy equipment trucks, construction equipment, automobiles, fire vehicles, police vehicles, small engine equipment, refuse vehicles, street sweepers, generators, recycling equipment, and similar equipment. Apprentices will be taught how to:

• Diagnose, inspect, and maintain city equipment;
• Diagnose and perform major and minor repairs;
• Install, replace, and repair original equipment manufacturer/aftermarket parts;
• Perform welding, fabricating, and modifications as needed;
• Utilize diagnostic equipment such as scanners and laptops to perform repairs;
• Ensure parts are ordered and received and processed correctly;

Apprenticeship Requirements & Duration

Apprenticeships will last six months and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. All applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 by the start and end of their apprenticeship. The first cohort of Apprentices will begin working in April 2024. Apprentices are expected to work 20 hours per week, Monday – Friday, from 5 AM to 8 PM PST. Apprentices will occasionally be required to report on Saturdays and Sundays on an as-needed basis. Schedules will be determined by Department Supervisors. Below are important program dates to consider before applying:

The application window is currently closed.

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Nonprofit Internship Program Overview

The Nonprofit Internship Program is a 400-hour paid internship that is completed over a period of 15 to 20 weeks. During this internship, participants will work part-time (20 to 25 hours per week) with local nonprofit organizations. As a pipeline to a career in public service, youth ages 18 to 30 will shadow an employee at participating nonprofits and help with clerical, administrative, and entry-level tasks. Youth will receive comprehensive career development services from the Kern Community Foundation including professional workshops, travel stipends, mentorship, and professional funds.

Application Process

The Nonprofit Internship Application is open year-round for submission. Kern Community Foundation will review applications on a weekly basis. If your application is selected for further consideration, you will be contacted by Kern Community Foundation to schedule a 30-minute panel interview.

Nonprofit Internship Referral forms are also accepted year-round. 

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City Hall Fellowship Program Overview

The City Hall Fellowship Program is an 11-month, paid fellowship where youth will work part-time with City departments on important projects and initiatives. As a pipeline to a career in public service, youth ages 18 to 30 will shadow an employee at participating Departments and help with administrative duties and analyses; assist in the compilation, analysis, and control of departmental budgets; prepare and present reports; and provide administrative assistance to City departments. Youth will be required to work for a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 25 hours per week.  In addition to the $25.00 hourly wage, participants will receive comprehensive career development services from the Kern Community Foundation including bi-weekly professional workshops, travel stipends, mentors, and field trips.

The application window is currently closed and will reopen in Summer 2024.

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Fact Sheet

The Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) Annual Report is now available!

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