Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) Overview

Thank you for your interest in the City of Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP)!

The City has partnered with Kern Community Foundation (KCF) to administer the program, including accepting and reviewing applications, as well as placing successful candidates in available positions. Thanks to a $5.39 million grant from California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, the City will hire youth ages 16- to 30 years old. The program includes a paid high school summer internship program, a paid college-level fellowship program, a paid recreation internship, and partnerships with nonprofits to employ underserved youth.  An array of entry-level and career paths are identified in City departments and nonprofit organizations. These pathways will provide both hands-on and technical training to equip youth with experience and knowledge to prepare them for future permanent employment.


City Hall Apprenticeship Program Overview

The City Hall Apprenticeship Program is a six-month, paid internship where youth ages 18 to 30 will work part-time as Apprentices with the City of Bakersfield’s Public Works Department. As a pipeline to a career in public service, Apprentices will perform maintenance, repairs, and overhaul of the City’s light and/or heavy equipment trucks, construction equipment, automobiles, fire vehicles, police vehicles, small engine equipment, refuse vehicles, street sweepers, generators, recycling equipment, and similar equipment. Apprentices will be taught how to:

  • Diagnose, inspect, and maintain city equipment;
  • Diagnose and perform major and minor repairs;
  • Install, replace, and repair original equipment manufacturer/aftermarket parts;
  • Perform welding, fabricating, and modifications as needed;
  • Utilize diagnostic equipment such as scanners and laptops to perform repairs;
  • Ensure parts are ordered and received and processed correctly;

Apprenticeship Requirements & Duration

Apprenticeships will last six months and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. All applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 by the start and end of their apprenticeship. The first cohort of Apprentices will begin working in April 2024. Apprentices are expected to work 20 hours per week, Monday – Friday, from 5 AM to 8 PM PST. Apprentices will occasionally be required to report on Saturdays and Sundays on an as-needed basis. Schedules will be determined by Department Supervisors. Below are important program dates to consider before applying:

  • April 1, 2024 First Day of Work & Orientation
  • July 2024 Mid-Program Evaluations
  • September 27, 2024 Last Day of Work

Compensation

Apprentices will be paid $23 an hour and provided stipends for tools, flexible schedules, and technical training webinars.

Apprenticeship Application Dates

  • February 12, 2024 – Application Released
  • APPLICATION EXTENSION: March 4, 2024, @ 5:00:00 PM – Application Closes
  • March 4 – 8, 2024 – Applications Review
  • March 11 – 15, 2024 – Panel Interviews
  • March 18, 2024 – Decisions Made

The application window is currently closed.


Parks Mobile Recreation Internship Program Overview

The Parks Mobile Recreation Internship Program is an eight-week, paid internship where youth ages 18 – 30, will work part-time with the City’s Recreation & Parks Department. As a pipeline to a career in public service, Interns will gain experience working with diverse groups of children, take part in pop-up recreation activities, help facilitate recreational programming and special events, create memories for children, and contribute to programs for the homeless. Youth will receive career development services from the Kern Community Foundation and Recreation & Parks Department including regular professional workshops, travel stipends, mentorship, and field trips.

Parks Mobile Recreation Internship Requirements & Duration

  • Internships shall take place from Tuesday, January 16, 2024, through Friday, March 8, 2024.
  • Interns are expected to work 20 hours per week, Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM PST with some flexibility to work on the weekends.

The application window is currently closed.


Nonprofit Internship Program Overview

BYJP aims to recruit, train, and place youth from under-resourced communities with community-based nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofit Internship Application Process

The Nonprofit Internship Program is now accepting applications. KCF will review applications every week. KCF will contact the candidate within 5 to 7 business days of receiving the application if they would like the candidate to participate in a 30-minute panel interview. If you are applying in conjunction with a referral form from a nonprofit organization, it is the responsibility of the nonprofit to complete and submit the referral form.

Nonprofit Internship Requirements & Duration

  • The Nonprofit Cohort will be a non-linear cohort.
  • Internships will occur for 15 continuous weeks or to the completion of 300 hours and interns will help nonprofit organizations with clerical, administrative, and entry-level tasks. 
  • Referrals for at-risk youth ages 18-30 are strongly encouraged. Referrals are accepted on an ongoing basis

Compensation

Interns will be paid bi-weekly an hourly rate equivalent to the California minimum wage and provided bus passes upon request.

Nonprofit Internship Application Dates

  • December 13, 2022: Applications Released
  • Applications and referrals are accepted on an ongoing basis.

City Hall Fellowship Program Overview

The City Hall Fellowship Program is a paid fellowship where youth will work part-time with City departments on important projects and initiatives. As a pipeline to a career in public service, youth ages 18 to 30 will shadow an employee at participating Departments and help with administrative duties and analyses; assist in the compilation, analysis, and control of departmental budgets; prepare and present reports and provide administrative assistance to City departments. Youth will receive comprehensive career development services from the Kern Community Foundation including bi-weekly professional workshops, travel stipends, mentors, and field trips. Fellows are expected to work 20 hours per week, Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM PST. Schedules are determined by Department Supervisors.

The application window is currently closed and will reopen in April 2024.


City Hall Summer Internship Requirements & Duration

The City Hall Summer Internship Program is an eight-week, paid summer internship where high school youth will work part-time with City Departments on important projects and initiatives. As a pipeline to a career in public service, high school students will shadow an employee at participating Departments and help with administrative duties including typing material from copy or draft, receiving, and routing correspondence, maintaining simple operation records, analyzing data, and assisting with program management. Youth will receive career development services from the Kern Community Foundation including regular professional workshops, travel stipends, mentorship, and field trips. Interns must be 16 years of age or older and are expected to work 20 hours per week, Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM PST. Schedules are determined by Department Supervisors.

The application window is currently closed and will reopen in April 2024.


Fact Sheet

The Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) Annual Report is now available!