Los Alamos Reporter

Los Alamos County To Offer 25 Summer Internships To Local And Regional High School Students Ages 16-18

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Once again, young people are going to help keep Los Alamos County running this summer.

Starting June 13, the County is opening its doors and job positions to local and regional high school students in its paid summer internship program for teenagers.

Twenty-five students, whose ages range from 16 to 18, will be involved in the seven-week program. They will work across several County departments including Human Resources, Records Management, Community Development, Community Services, Police and Public Works.

Community Services Director Cory Styron said each student will have a mentor and will be given real on-the-job experiences. Styron said the students will work 20 hours a week and will be paid $12 an hour.

Students will need to follow the same application process as any other job seeker, he said. They will apply for the internships, be interviewed, and will go through the County’s new hire orientation as well as an employability skills training course.  To apply for an internship, please visit https://lacnm.com/jobs.  All newly hired Los Alamos County employees are required to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19 per the current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definition as a condition of their employment.

Styron explained the program is made possible through a collaboration between the New Mexico Public Education Department, New Mexico Workforce Department and local municipalities. Plus, he said the Public Education Department will provide a $54,800 grant for the summer internships.

Offering the summer internships are beneficial to both parties.  According to Human Resources Director Mary Tapia, it will give the students an opportunity to learn about County government and also learn hands-on real-life work skills and employable skills.

“Additionally, by exposing young people to the wide range of government services offered in the County, it opens them to so many options for their future. It may also encourage young people to stay in Los Alamos and seek full-time employment in County government,” Tapia said.