The Office of Small Business (OSB) is happy to support the development of future civil servants and policy makers by accepting volunteers, high school and undergraduate summer interns, and graduate-level school-year interns.
Benefits of an Internship with the Office of Small Business
We are a small office, allowing many opportunities for a volunteer or an intern to get real, hands-on experience with our policy and customer assistance work. Though some administrative tasks would be required, we can offer more than just filing and photocopying. Interns will get a sense of what it means to be a part of City government in City Hall.
Browse our website at www.sfgov.org/smallbusiness to learn more about our work and resources for the small business community.
An internship with OSB will provide you with valuable government and policy experience, a chance to meet senior City officials, and the opportunity to network and make contacts for future jobs. Though we are unable to offer a stipend, we are happy to comply with any requirements that allow students to receive academic credit. The OSB can also provide letters of recommendation.
We have three possible areas that would benefit from internship assistance:
- Small Business Assistance Center
Interns assist with office management and help case managers obtain information for small business inquiries. Tasks include answering telephones, data management, updating informational materials and greeting visitors. Interns may be required to give basic information to small business inquiries over the phone or to walk-ins
- Policy
Interns assist with policy research and analysis that pertain to small business. Administrative tasks include answering telephones and greeting visitors. Interns may participate in all phases of the public policy process including research, monitoring Board of Supervisors committee meetings, providing legislative summaries for the Small Business Commissioners, and preparing legislative materials for commission meetings.
- Data Systems and Content Management
Interns assist with the development and data gathering of our small business resources. The intern will help ensure the integration of content into the architecture of our online web resource. Tasks include writing and reviewing content for the website and case management tool, collecting and synthesizing small business resources, and identifying business requirements. Interns will have a chance to work with developers, consultants, and various departments in the City government.
Examples of Possible Activities and Tasks
- Preparing for, attending, and/or facilitating meetings with other City department staff, community partners, and/or members of the public
- Organizing events, such as commission and community meetings, town halls, forums
- Data tracking, analysis, and evaluation
- Office and departmental administration, and performance measure preparation
This is only a partial list. The OSB is interested in giving volunteer and interns a chance to learn new skills, as well as to utilize skills you may already possess. We are willing to work with you to develop work plans that meet the needs of both OSB and the volunteer/intern. Have a project idea? Let us know!
Volunteer/Internship Program Details
The OSB is able to accommodate volunteers year round, 1 school-year (9 months) intern, and up to 2 summer (2-3 months) volunteer, high school, undergraduate or graduate interns. Volunteers and interns should expect to commit to at least 6-10 hours per week, depending on scheduling and academic requirements. The OSB will provide an in-office workspace, though it may be shared with other volunteers and interns. We can make efforts to accommodate flexible schedules. Our standard office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday.
Qualifications
- Excellent MS Office skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio
- Possess good customer service skills
- Interest in assisting small business startup and management
- Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work well in a team environment
- Organized and professional
To Apply
We are now accepting year round and summer 2009 internships. To apply for consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter indicating interests to
- Office of Small Business
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Suite 110
San Francisco, CA 94102
- Or via fax: 415-558-7844
We will contact you should your skills and interests match our needs. Thank you for your interest.
Small Business Assistance Center, City Hall, Room 110, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-554-6134 Office Hours: M-F, 8 AM - 5 PM
