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Public Works Summer 2026 Intern - Safety Specialist

Position Description

The Public Works Safety Specialist Internship offers a hands-on opportunity to support a culture of safety across all Public Works operations. As an intern, you will assist the Safety Team in conducting workplace safety inspections, contributing to engaging training programs, and supporting the implementation of safety policies and procedures. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about occupational safety and eager to gain real-world experience while making a meaningful impact on employee well-being.

The Public Works Department is seeking motivated and detail-oriented Engineering Interns to support a variety of infrastructure and municipal projects. Interns will work closely with professional engineers, project managers, and technical teams to gain hands-on experience in public sector engineering and operations.

To ensure consideration, candidates are required to apply separately to each internship opportunity of interest. Applications are not automatically applied to other openings.

We are currently seeking qualified candidates to fill the following internship positions:

Public Works Safety Specialist Intern

1 Position available

Compensation: Wages start at $22.49 hourly, $22.83 hourly for returning interns

Duration: June through August, possibility to extend into December.

Hours:

Up to 40 hours per week
Willing to accommodate school schedules
Monday - Friday, 7:00AM - 3:30PM

Location

These internships are in-person. Office located at the following:
Currie Maintenance Facility (1200 Currie Ave)

The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Public Works has determined that a criminal background check, qualifications check and /or Drug and Alcohol testing may be necessary for this position.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Collaborate with the safety team to further develop safety training and review/revise safety policies and procedures.
Support distribution and employee engagement materials to meet OSHA standards.
Conduct field/site visits for up to 4 hours a day to evaluate existing conditions and make recommendations for corrective actions that need to be taken.
Stay in regular contact with field staff in relation to safety practices, toolbox talks, and reporting procedures. Build rapport with the field so that communications are regular and consistent.
Research and analysis of current safety trends.
Create Job Safety Analysis reports.
Assist with special projects as needed, such as data entry, video collection, and photographs.
Summarize internship activities into a report and/or short presentation.

Required Qualifications

All applicants must:

Be 18 or older
Have a valid driver’s license
Currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from an associate’s, bachelor’s, or technical school program in an engineering discipline or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, Public Health, or a related field.
Able to work on projects with minimal supervision & collaborate with other staff.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams).
Experience with the creation of communication materials, including flyers, announcements, and digital content.
Candidates must be able and willing to conduct site visits within Minneapolis for up to 4 hours a day
Be willing to work outdoors in all types of weather

A cover letter and updated resume uploaded to your application are strongly encouraged but not required.

Selection Process
The selection process for this position will consist of a review of the application, resume and cover letter and then a panel interview. Since the selection process will consist of a review of the application, resume and cover letter, it is to your advantage to be as complete and thorough on your application forms, supplemental application and other support documentation/materials as is possible. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number of person invited to interview.

Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Drug and Alcohol Testing
All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.

Union Representation
These positions are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. For more information on the terms and conditions of employment please see the Civil Service Rules.

Eligible List Statement
The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire three months after it has been established.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions may vary depending on the division the intern is placed in. Office setting and field work. Field work may include exposure to all weather conditions; exposure to outdoor elements such as loud noise, dust, dirt, gases, fumes and chemicals; exposure to high traffic areas; exposure to other types of conditions that may be found in a construction, plant or other hazardous location; exposure to rough, uneven and/or slippery surfaces; working in tunnels and/or other types of conditions that may be found in a construction environment; ability to work in confined space areas; ability to climb, maneuver and/or work on ladders, stairs, platforms and enter/exit maintenance holes.

Interview Selection
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate’s education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose—serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.