PRESS RELEASE

The City of Long Beach, in partnership with California State University, Long Beach; California State University, Dominguez Hills; and Long Beach City College, has launched a new fellowship placement program for college students interested in pursuing careers in local government, nonprofit management and public service. The Public Service Corps program will provide paid fellowship opportunities across City departments, allowing participants to gain practical experience and develop the skills necessary for various in-demand occupations.

"We are thrilled to introduce the Long Beach Public Service Corps program, which will inspire college students and recent graduates to seek careers in public service through hands-on experience," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "By partnering with our local educational institutions, this new initiative will not only create opportunities for our youth but will also strengthen our talent pool by cultivating pathways for the next generation of leaders in local government and civic organizations."

The Long Beach Public Service Corps program is intended to foster economic inclusion and expand opportunities for residents, including young people, so they can develop successful career paths. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, gaining insights into the inner workings of City departments and contributing to meaningful projects that positively impact the Long Beach community.

The program is available to college seniors who reside in the city of Long Beach and attend either California State University, Long Beach; California State University, Dominguez Hills; or Long Beach City College (LBCC). The inaugural cohort will include 50 students who will intern with a City department from February through June 2024. Those eligible are encouraged to apply online now through Nov. 30, 2023.

“Cal State Long Beach is proud to partner with the City of Long Beach Public Service Corps to bring local career opportunities to Beach students,” said Dr. Jane Close Conoley, President, California State University, Long Beach. “Placing our highly qualified students into pathways for internships and contextualized educational experiences in city departments guarantees our community can secure the talent it needs for the future right here from The Beach.”

“Opportunities to gain essential work experience and develop skills and assets that enhance competitiveness in the workforce are invaluable,” said Dr. Thomas Parham, President, California State University, Dominguez Hills. “That is why Cal State University Dominguez Hills and I appreciate Mayor Rex Richardson, a proud alumnus of our institution, and are honored to participate in this occasion to connect our students with paid workforce readiness experience while in school, as part of the public service corps program in the City of Long Beach.”

“Long Beach City College is excited to be part of the Long Beach Public Service Corps. This is a great opportunity to enrich our students' academic experience with invaluable work experience through the City of Long Beach,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, Long Beach City College Superintendent-President. “By participating in the Public Service Corps, our students will become more knowledgeable members of the community, make a positive impact on the City of Long Beach, and gain a deeper understanding of how to make a career in public service.”

In addition to the paid fellowship, throughout the program, participants will engage in a series of professional development workshops designed to highlight important topics in public service, such as budgeting, community engagement, crisis management, sustainability, ethics, and policy. Participants will also complete project-based learning activities with the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Youth Development that will inform the planning of the City’s Youth Festival in 2024 and Youth Week in 2025.

The Long Beach Public Service Corps is a collaborative effort between the City’s Department of Economic Development’s Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network, Department of Human Resources, and legislative offices and support staff. Pacific Gateway will oversee management of the program on behalf of the City, including case management and payroll coordination, and supportive wraparound services such as transportation assistance, clothing vouchers, rental assistance, and utility payment assistance, to ensure participants have the flexibility and a foundation of support to participate in the program successfully. Participants will also receive follow-up services such as job counseling, employment placement, and access to industry-recognized training to support their long-term career goals.

The City has collaborated with educational stakeholders, including deans of public administration programs, college and career center staff, workforce development executives, and Long Beach College Promise program staff, to promote this program to eligible students and encourage participation. Two virtual information sessions were also held for those interested in learning more about the program.

“We are excited about this opportunity to partner and collaborate with various City departments and colleges for the Long Beach Public Service Corps program,” said Pacific Gateways Acting Executive Director, Alisa Munoz. “Pacific Gateway has extensive experience delivering training programs and looks forward to providing residents with the services and skills that will pave the way for a career in public service.”

Aligning with Mayor Richardson’s priority to establish a Public Service Pathways Program as discussed during his first 100-days in office and at the 2023 State of the City, the City Manager proposed a one-time allocation of $300,000 in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) budget which was approved by the full City Council on Sept. 5, 2023. This one-time funding to the Economic Development Department’s Workforce Development Bureau, operating as Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network (Pacific Gateway), supports the design and implementation of the Long Beach Public Service Corps.

For more information about the Long Beach Public Service Corps program, people can email Kandi Gonzalez at Kandi.Gonzalez@pacific-gateway.org.

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