Mayor Cory Mason and the City of Racine is excited to announce that the Youth Employment Program is back for summer of 2023! The Youth Employment Program is an 8-week program that provides City of Racine area youth, ages 16 to 24, work placements within City of Racine departments.
You will have the opportunity to work directly with City of Racine professionals completing hands-on projects, job shadowing, and gain knowledge in a professional field. We offer a variety of positions and departments including, marketing/social media for the Fire Department, early education with the Library, working outdoors with the Parks and DPW departments, and more!
In addition to working directly within City of Racine departments, every Friday you will come together as a cohort to participate in activities that will enhance your personal and professional development. This year’s #FundamentalFridays will focus on:
- Mental Health
- Financial Literacy
- Exploring and Learning at Root River
- Resume and Interview Preparing
- CPR training
………And more!
Today’s Youth. Tomorrow’s Workforce. Racine’s Future.
Part 1 of the Application Due: May 15th at 11:59 pm
Part 2 of the Application Due: May 17th at 11:59 pm
Any Questions? Contact Kischa Buford, Youth Employment Officer, at 262-498-2500 or kischa.buford@cityofracine.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The City of Racine’s Youth Employment Program (YEP) is an 8-week employment program. YEP provides City area youth, ages 16 to 24, with work placements directly in a City of Racine department.
What is the Youth Employment Program (YEP)?
An employment program that provides youth with employment working directly with City of Racine professionals completing hands-on projects, job shadowing, and gaining an authentic work experience. We are offering a variety of positions and City departments. For example;
- Racine Fire Department
- Racine Public Library
- Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
And Many More!
How do I participate in the YEP?
There is a 2-part application process Youth must complete in order to be considered for participation in the Youth Employment Program. Application period is April 28th – May 15th.
- Part 1: Online application- Due Monday, May 15, 2023
- Part 2: Minimum of 1-minute video answering the following:
- Your name
- What is your school, pathway/Major?
- Fun fact about yourself
- What are your career interests and why?
- What do you hope to accomplish or learn from the Youth
- Employment Program?
Where can I access the YEP application?
Here is the link to the application. YEP Application
How long is the YEP (Youth Employment Program)?
The Youth Employment Program is an 8-week summer program.
- Application Period: April 28th – May 15th
- Human Resources On-boarding: Week of June 12th
- Youth Employment Program: June 26th – August 18th
Which City of Racine department will I work for?
- On your application, you will choose your top 3 City departments or careers of interest. We will do our best to match you with one of those departments.
- In some cases, we will place you with a department that may be a better fit based on your application.
- You will know your department placement once you receive an offer letter.
Is my position in the YEP secured after applying?
As much as we would love to hire every youth who applies to our program, we cannot. Spaces are limited and based on work demand. You are evaluated based on your application and video submission for placement. Therefore, please be sure to answer all the questions and meet all requirements and deadlines.
How many hours will I work a week?
- YEP Participants must be able to commit to the full program, acknowledging they cannot miss more than 1-week of work.
- You will work up to 25 hours per week.
- You will be a part-time City of Racine employee.
How much will I be paid per hour?
- $15/ hour, you will be paid on a bi-weekly basis.
- We encourage direct deposits. Please indicate on the application if you do not have a bank account.
Are there any restrictions or requirements?
- You must be between the ages of 16 and 24.
- You must be able to work at least 7 out of the 8 weeks of the program. (email Kischa Buford if you have any questions or concerns)
- You must complete both parts of the YEP application.
What documentation will I need to provide?
- Social Security Card
- Wisconsin ID or Driver’s License
- Parental agreement if under the age of 18
What's the proper dress attire?
- Attire will depend on your department placement. For example, Finance department may require business casual whereas Department of Public Works may require jeans and steel-toed boots.
- We will provide you with a YEP T-shirt & Polo.
- Your department manager will inform you of uniform or dress requirements during the on-boarding process.
Will I be responsible for my own transportation?
Every YEP participant can request a free RYDE Racine bus pass. This bus pass is available for Youth to use for transportation to and from work, in addition to being used outside of the Youth Employment Program itself.
Fundamental Friday’s (Cohort Day’s): Youth employees come together as a cohort and experience activities that will enhance/ improve their professional and personal development. Topics include:
- Mental Health
- Financial Literacy
- Kayaking at the Root River Environmental Education Center, and more!
Fundamental Friday’s will be 3-4 hours long (starting at 9 AM). They are mandatory and will be every Friday.
Employment Opportunities with the following City of Racine Departments
Fire Department
Finance
Public Health
Information Technology
Marketing/Social Media
Department of Public Works
Mayor's Office
Racine Public Library
Engineering
City Development
Engineering
Police Department
Wastewater Utilities
Human Resources
Parks, Rec. and Cultural Services
Transits/Ryde Racine
City Clerk
Finance
If you are interested in learning more about the City of Racine,
looking for a career experience, and/or want to make great money this summer.
Did you know that GROW Racine is helping City residents launch great careers in the construction and building trades? It's true!
Super proud of these three City residents who graduated on Friday from WRTP / BIG STEP's Southeast Wisconsin Roadbuilders Program. All three received City of Racine, On the lake GROW Racine pre-apprenticeship scholarships to encourage & support them while they were enrolled in this training program.
Up next for these residents? Great careers with family-supporting wages, lifelong learning, and benefits!
Learn more about how the City is investing in our residents to rebuild and grow our City! www.growracine.org/careers-in-the-trades/
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Our Youth Employment Program is one of the many ways the City of Racine, On the lake is investing in our residents' futures. Applications are now open for this summer's 8-week paid youth jobs with the City! Learn more and get the application here www.growracine.org/youth-employment/
#GROWRacine #CityofRacineMeet Tihane A.! Tia is a former Summer Youth Employment Program participant who was then hired to continue working for the City of Racine. Read more about Tia’s experiences in the interview below:
*The YEP application is OPEN! Learn more here: www.growracine.org/youth-employment/
Q: What was your position with the City of Racine?
A: My position in the city was a Summer Youth Employee in the Human Resources department.
Q: What motivated you to apply?
A: I needed an internship for one of my classes at Gateway Technical College. The application was sent to me by a classmate. I figured if all goes well, I will have an internship and a pretty unique experience.
Q: What were some skills you learned?
A: I gained a better understanding of what the different departments in the city do from an insider’s point of view. And I (of course) got to see the process behind how someone is hired and interviewed, setting up benefits and a glimpse of what goes into setting up the wellness activities for the city employees.
Q: What’s it like working in city government as a young person?
A: It’s a little weird… I feel like I should have had office experience and have been in school for something business related to work here, but I work here without it.
Q: How do you explain your job to other people at school?
A: I just explain that I help the hiring process along, I file part-time applicants, set up interviews, pre-employment drug screenings and orientations, run background checks, then call applicants to offer them the job.
I have also been helping create the wellness calendars, bingos, and word searches.
Q: What do you wish you knew before this job?
A: I wish I knew that it’s not as intimidating as I thought it would be and the experience is going to be whatever you make it. Before starting I assumed working in an office (especially for it to be the city), it would be really dull, strictly work, and no room for mistakes.
It’s not like that at all, I work with a very nice group of people who are very patient and understanding. They would rather me ask a lot of questions and do the job right, than to not say anything at all and do it wrong.
Q: How will this internship impact your future goals?
A: The Youth Employment Program has made a very big impact on my future plans. Before coming into the program, I was at a point in school where I did not really know what I wanted to do. I just knew the demographic I wanted to work with and a few careers I thought I would be good at or could see myself doing.
But after the program and now working here for a while I have a clear understanding of what I want to do career-wise and feel confident that when the time comes I will be able to do my job well 🙂
Q: What advice do you have for other students who are applying for any internships?
A: My advice for applying for any internships would be to choose something that you think would be the best fit for you. Also that internships are pretty low stakes, you’re just doing it to get experience in the field and get your foot in the door. It will teach you the things you do and do not like about the field you may go into or that company/organization. Which can be a tool when choosing the rest of your classes, another internship, or figuring out what you want to do as a career.
Getting to work with the city while in this program, is such a new and fun experience and can open a lot of doors to new opportunities.
Another thing I would want those applying to YEP to know is that Kischa tries to make sure that everyone is having a good experience from this and includes activities that are fun and beneficial to the employees. For example, for one of the cohort days we went canoeing then had a lunch from the fire department or people from Gateway came to help the employees build their resumes. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks to Racine County Eye for highlighting the enrollment event the City of Racine, On the lake's GROW Racine team, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, and Gateway Technical College are hosting this Saturday!
Know a City resident who's ready to go back to school to earn their high school credential? Make sure to tell 'em about this event, where we'll help them with every step of the enrollment process AND they can apply for the City's $1500 GROW Racine HSED Scholarship. #GROWRacine #CityofRacine ... See MoreSee Less
High School Equivalency Diploma enrollment and $1,500 scholarship event this Saturday in Racine | Racine County Eye
racinecountyeye.com
RACINE — The City of Racine is hosting a 5.09 High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) event to recruit and enroll interested individuals for classes that beginComment on Facebook
We're GROW-ing Racine's future success by helping adult City residents earn their HSEDs and transform their futures!
Spread the word about this Saturday's enrollment session! #GROWRacine #CityofRacine ... See MoreSee Less
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The City of Racine, On the lake's Youth Employment Program is now accepting applications for summer jobs! Help spread the word to local young people ages 16-24 about this fantastic paid 8-week summer experience. #GROWRacine #CityofRacine
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Are you ready to go back to school to earn your high school credential? Don't miss this event next Saturday where we'll help you get enrolled so you can start FREE classes on May 30th! Share this to spread the word to other Racine residents. #GROWRacineIt's almost a week away! GROW Racine & YWCA Southeast Wisconsin in-person 5.09 HSED enrollment event is coming up quickly, be sure to register using the link to secure your spot! ... See MoreSee Less
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