West Michigan Municipal Fellowship

Kent County is offering a paid, nine- to 12-month West Michigan Municipal Fellowship designed for a motivated student enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program who wants meaningful, hands-on experience in local government management. The fellow will gain firsthand experience within three distinct types of local government through separate rotations with Kent County, the City of Wyoming, and Ada Township.

The fellow will spend approximately three to four months onsite with each organization, working alongside experienced local government professionals and contributing to substantive projects that support organizational priorities. Through collaboration across departments and offices, the fellow will develop practical skills and gain insight into the shared responsibilities and unique complexities of county, city, and township government.

This opportunity is ideal for a curious, collaborative student pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in public administration, public policy, or a related field who is interested in exploring a career in local government management.

This is an in-person fellowship with work assignments at all three organizations. Because the work location will change throughout the fellowship, reliable transportation is required.

Community Profiles:

Kent County

Located in the heart of West Michigan, Kent County is a vibrant community spanning 872 square miles and blending urban convenience with rural charm. As Michigan’s fourth most populous county, it encompasses 21 townships, five villages, and nine cities, each contributing to the community’s unique character. Kent County is also the second-fastest-growing county in the state by population.

Kent County is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners, while an appointed County Administrator oversees daily operations and services. Countywide elected officials, including the Drain Commissioner, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Prosecutor, Sheriff, and Treasurer, also provide essential services to the community.

City of Wyoming

The City of Wyoming is not a typical city. Rather than expanding outward from a central point of settlement, the community grew from the outside in. Today, its downtown encompasses a 3.5-mile stretch of 28th Street, one of Michigan’s busiest roadways.

Wyoming is Michigan’s 16th-largest city and has West Michigan’s third-largest industrial tax base. With a population of 76,501, the city features a diverse community, seven school districts, a mix of established and modern homes, varied retail options, and an abundance of parkland.

Ada Township

Nestled near the convergence of the Grand and Thornapple rivers, Ada Township offers an inviting place to live, work, and play. The community blends more than 1,000 acres of public land and parks with a thriving business community, award-winning educational opportunities, and an active population of 14,855 residents.

Functions and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams at Kent County, the City of Wyoming, and Ada Township to support organizational priorities and improvement initiatives.
• Conduct research and analysis and prepare reports, presentations, memos, and other materials for staff and leadership review.
• Lead or support assigned projects by collecting, organizing, and analyzing information; creating visual summaries; and developing concise, data-informed recommendations.
• Contribute to process improvement, policy research, community engagement, and other projects based on the needs and priorities of each organization.
• Attend and participate in governing board, committee, leadership, and departmental meetings to gain exposure to policy development, public administration, and executive-level decision-making.
• Build professional relationships and collaborate with employees across county, city, and township departments and offices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the fellow’s supervisor at each organization in support of operations and priority initiatives.

Contacts:

This position has frequent contact with:

• The fellow’s direct supervisor at each organization for guidance, work assignments, feedback, information exchange, and meeting coordination.
• County, city, and township administrators, managers, department and office leaders, elected officials, and employees to build collaborative working relationships, support assigned projects, and facilitate information exchange.
• Community partners, residents, and other external stakeholders, as appropriate, based on assigned projects and organizational needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related field.

• Interest in local government management, public administration, public policy, or a related field.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and develop practical recommendations.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and adjust to the priorities and work environments of each organization.
• Attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when preparing materials to support leadership review and decision-making.
• Excellent interpersonal and listening skills, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion while maintaining political neutrality and confidentiality.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with employees at all levels of an organization.
• Ability to adapt to different organizational cultures, work environments, and priorities throughout the fellowship.
• Initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to learn about a broad range of local government services and operations.
• Ability to interact professionally with elected officials, organizational leaders, employees, community partners, and members of the public.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Additional Information:

This is an in-person fellowship requiring a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week for nine to 12 months. Hours may be flexible based on each organization’s needs and the fellow’s academic schedule. Occasional evening hours may be required based on meeting schedules, events, and assigned projects.

The fellow will complete consecutive rotations of approximately three to four months with Kent County, the City of Wyoming, and Ada Township. Reliable transportation is required because the assigned work location will change throughout the fellowship. Parking expenses will be reimbursed.