MIP - Municipal Intern Program
What's MIP?
Local Government Academy’s Municipal Intern Program connects local governments with enthusiastic undergraduate or graduate students seeking real-world experience working at the grassroots level. Eligible placement sites include municipalities, councils of governments, and municipal authorities in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Act 47 designated municipalities located in Western Pennsylvania.
The Program provides a reimbursement grant to cover a portion of the intern’s wages. Local Government Academy facilitates the match between the placement site and a qualified student interested in one or more of the projects listed below. See the schedule for important dates regarding applications and interviews.
How does it work?
The Municipal Internship Program provides paid internships to graduate and undergraduate students who want to work on real issues facing our communities every day. Internships take place during the summer months, generally beginning in late May or early June and concluding in August.
In a separate application process, local municipalities propose projects they would like to undertake during the internship period. Projects may involve various municipal departments, including planning and zoning, budget and finance, economic development, code enforcement, community outreach, public works, or public safety.
Interns in the program will benefit from:
- Practical, significant experience in local government
- The opportunity to test the skills and knowledge gained in the academic setting
- Experience in interpersonal communication and group dynamics
- Networking with local government practitioners and other interns
- Meeting new contacts for possible future employment opportunities
- The opportunity to learn from others through coaching, supervision, and mentoring
- Experience gained from bridging the gap between the academic and professional worlds
What you need to know
Eligibility
The Municipal Internship Program is open to active undergraduate and graduate students.
Compensation
Interns are hired by the placement site and will be compensated at an hourly rate of $12.00 for graduate students and $11.00 for undergraduate students. Any student placed within an Act 47 distressed municipality site will earn $12.00 per hour. Municipalities are able to pay interns above the reimbursement threshold at their discretion.
Supported By
Selection Process
Interested students must submit their application and resume online using the “Submit Your Application” button at the bottom of the page. Interns have the opportunity to select up to three projects. Supervisors will contact qualified students for interviews and make their final selection by the date located in the timeline below.
Although successful internships have been completed by students with a wide range of education and experience, the most successful projects have been marked by students who exhibit the following criteria:
- Superior academic credentials, effective interpersonal skills, and strong writing and computer skills
- Past work or applicable volunteer experience
- Interest in or familiarity with local government and community needs such as financial management, planning, computer systems, community engagement, etc.
- Self-motivation and ability to work well with others
Program Timeline
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – 2026 Municipal Intern Program Request for Projects
Virtual Pre-Application Informational Session hosted @ 12:00 p.m.
Monday, October 27– Application Portal Opens
Eligible Placement Sites may submit applications via localgovernmentacademy.org.
Friday, November 21– Project Applications Due
Completed Placement Site applications due to the Academy
Tuesday, January 7 – Projects Announced
Approved Placement Sites announced, and students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program may begin applying to the program.
Tuesday January 13– 2026 Municipal Intern Program Placement Site Orientation
Virtual meeting hosted on Zoom at 1:00 p.m. Attendance mandatory for supervisors of approved placement sites.
2026 Intern Fair – February 18
The Municipal Intern Fair provides opportunities for Placement Sites to interview prospective interns. Attendance at the Fair is required by at least one Placement Site representative.
Friday, March 21 – Intern Selection Announcement
Municipalities conclude interviews and select a candidate to complete the internship.
Friday, May 15– Intern Projects may commence
Internship project activities may commence. (All internships must begin no later than June 6).
Tuesday, June 2 –2026 MIP Intern Orientation
Virtual meeting hosted on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. Attendance is mandatory for the Intern but not the supervisor.
Tuesday, June 16 – Coffee Chat 1
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. webinar on topic relevant to local government careers
Tuesday, June 23 – 2026 MIP Development Session #1 – location TBD
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm in person meeting designed for networking, relationship building, and professional development.
Attendance is mandatory for both the Intern and Supervisor (due to time constraints, supervisors may participate in half-day sessions if requested)
Attendance is mandatory for both the Intern and Supervisor (due to time constraints, supervisors may participate in half-day sessions if requested)
Tuesday, July 7 – Coffee Chat 2 – ULI
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. webinar on activity preparation for the 2nd development day
Tuesday, July 14 – 2026 MIP Development Session #2 – location TBD
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm in person meeting designed for networking, relationship building, and professional development.
Attendance is mandatory for the Intern (supervisors may participate if desired)
Attendance is mandatory for the Intern (supervisors may participate if desired)
Tuesday, July 21 – Coffee Chat 3
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. webinar on topic relevant to local government careers
Thursday, August 6 – 2026 MIP Annual Recognition Luncheon
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in person event to recognize the students’ accomplishments and MIP volunteers. Attendance is mandatory for interns and supervisors.
August 31 – Program Ends
The 2026 Municipal Intern Projects
Below is a list of selected projects from local municipalities and government organizations hosting an intern this year.
PASER Street & Alley Condition Assessment Intern
Borough of Canonsburg
Canonsburg Borough will conduct a comprehensive pavement assessment using the PASER (Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating) system to objectively measure the condition of all streets and alleys. The findings will support data driven decisions for maintenance, resurfacing, and reconstruction, ensuring the most efficient use of the Liquid Fuels Fund, General Fund, and available grant opportunities.
Residential Waste Collection Assessment and Solution Development Intern
Borough of Edgeworth
The intern will work closely with administrative staff to gather and organize data on weekly waste collection issues, helping the municipality better understand service challenges and resident needs. Responsibilities include developing surveys and public messaging, attending site visits, and communicating directly with residents, haulers, and community stakeholders.
Shared Services Financial Assistant Project's Intern
Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments
The Shared Services Finance Assistant Intern will support a regional municipal services program with a focus on financial operations, accounts payable program, and utility billing. This position will assist staff with routine billing cycles, payment processing, and financial recordkeeping for multiple municipalities that participate in the shared services program.
Floodplain Inspector Intern
Marshall Township
The intern will develop an inspection form, conduct on site inspections of properties within the 100 year floodplain, and upload all findings to the Municipality’s digital street file. They will also help create public education materials on floodplain management, assist with preparations for the Township’s floodplain audit, and support outreach efforts.
Strategic Parks Planning & Assessment Intern
Whitehall Borough
The project supports development of the Borough’s 2026 Parks master plan by evaluating past improvements, identifying community needs, setting future priorities, and outlining costs and funding options in coordination with the municipal engineer and recreation committee.
Blight Assessment and Anti-Blight Initiatives Intern
City of Latrobe
The intern will help develop a new comprehensive blight assessment by conducting field surveys, collecting property condition data, and using GIS tools and on site inspections to update the blight inventory. The intern will analyze findings from the 2021 study and current assessments to identify trends, priority areas, and potential revitalization strategies.
Municipal Administration and Governmental Operations Development Intern
City of Johnstown
The intern will support the City Management Office across a wide range of administrative and policy related tasks, including organizing codified ordinances, maintaining municipal documentation, and conducting research and analysis to inform planning, programs, and operational decisions.
Community Planning & Revitalization Intern
Bellevue Borough & Bona Fide Bellevue
The Borough and Bona Fide Bellevue are partnering to host a shared intern. The intern will support the launch of a new municipal website, assist with Active Transportation Plan implementation, and contribute with Bona Fide Bellevue community revitalization efforts by organizing content, developing sidewalk inventory tools, preparing outreach materials, and collaborating with staff and partners to advance projects that strengthen a walkable, vibrant downtown.
175th Anniversary Historic Archive Modernization and Public Access Project's Intern
Town of McCandless
The intern will organize and categorize historical archives across all municipal departments, helping to build a clear, accessible system for managing records and expanding the digital catalog. The intern will support the Municipality’s 175th anniversary celebration by working with Parks and Recreation, the Heritage and Cultural Center, and the anniversary committee to prepare materials, assist with events, and help preserve local history.
Clean Tech Clusters and Regional Blight Assessment Intern
Steel Rivers Council of Governments & Tri-COG Land Bank
The intern will conduct research on clean tech industry clusters, participate in meetings, prepare materials for advisory boards, while also assisting with a blighted property survey across several communities. The intern will gain hands on experience with the Tri COG Landbank with the property lifecycle by helping secure newly acquired properties, preparing them for sale, and reviewing purchaser applications for compliance with land bank policies.
Comprehensive Business Inventory and GIS Mapping of Key Commercial Corridors Intern
City of Lower Burrell
The intern will complete a comprehensive inventory of commercial properties along the Municipality’s main business corridor, conducting field surveys to identify active and vacant buildings, categorizing businesses by type and use, and entering data into a GIS based system.
Community Engagement & Municipal Projects Specialist
Churchill Borough
The intern will support community event planning and municipal initiatives through outreach, survey and flyer development, and assistance at meetings and public events; draft newsletters, press releases, and social media content; help maintain the municipal website; and assist in creating consistent communication materials.
Official Map Creation
Township of North Fayette
This project supports the Township’s update of its Official Map, a key planning tool that identifies current and future public grounds and guides both municipal project planning and private development along anticipated public infrastructure. The intern will research past ordinances and the comprehensive plan to determine which public projects were approved and completed, then create an updated map of all public grounds and infrastructure in the township.
Planning / Zoning / Code Enforcement Intern
White Oak Borough
This project involves supporting code enforcement tasks while also assisting with the Borough’s MAP funded Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and SALDO update, as well as participating in the work of the newly formed Blight Committee. The intern will inventory and digitize hardcopy commercial files, coordinate with the COG to obtain GIS data on blighted properties and build a database for the blight committee.
Communications Intern
North Strabane Township
The intern will lead the development of a Township wide communication plan to standardize messaging across social media, the website, and print materials, while also assisting administrative staff with organizing and uploading information into the digital database—both essential foundations for the upcoming comprehensive plan.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Stormwater Asset Accuracy & Implementation Intern
Bradford Woods Borough
The intern will work closely with the Municipal Manager and Public Works Director to locate and accurately label the Township’s stormwater infrastructure using GIS technology, ensuring that all assets have complete and attached documentation. They will collaborate with the Township’s GIS software provider to streamline future asset updating processes and will support two major new stormwater projects by integrating them into the GIS database.
Local Government Communications and PDF Accessibility Intern
South Fayette Township
This project provides a communications intern with hands on experience producing social media content, magazine articles, photos, and government video while collaborating with multiple township departments, attending community events and meetings, and contributing to a major PDF accessibility initiative that supports federal compliance and improves public access to online information.
Recreation Operations and Community Events Intern
Baldwin Borough
The intern will support the Borough’s community events by coordinating vendors, organizing volunteers, preparing materials, updating SOPs, assisting with business outreach, maintaining planning calendars, researching regional events, supporting website updates, and helping departments with planning and social media.