The city of Surprise is offering a paid summer internship program for income-eligible Surprise teens between the ages of 15 and 19.

Applications are being accepted now through Sunday, March 16.

Through the City Council-approved Summer Youth Internship Program, applicants must be available to work up to 25 hours a week for six consecutive weeks, starting Monday, June 9. Summer interns will earn minimum wage.

During the program, interns will receive professional development training in various departments across the city. This includes opportunities for hands-on work with the Public Works Department, to practicing customer service and learning programming in the Surprise Libraries and Human Service Community Vitality Department.

The following are the eligibility requirements:

• Must be a full-time student.
• Must reside in Surprise.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must have access to reliable transportation.
• Must submit a letter of recommendation by a schoolteacher, counselor or other non-related adult.

Applicants are required to submit income verification documents at the time of application. Applicant names must be written to match what is listed on their Social Security Card. Applicants are also asked to list areas of interest so they may be placed in a complementary employment opportunity.

Applications are available online at surpriseaz.gov/SYIP, or by contacting Kara Poling at kara.poling@surpriseaz.gov or 623-222-1647.

Qualified applicants will be contacted and screened through an interview process beginning in March and concluding in May. Final participants will be notified if they are selected for a position by mid-May and must pass any pre-employment screening the city deems necessary.