Mayoral Fellows Program

Overview

The Mayoral Fellows Program offers post-baccalaureate students the opportunity to serve in New Orleans city government while helping to create a cadre of potential leaders for our community. It contributes to the administration's overall goal of achieving and maintaining excellence in public sector leadership. Through a competitive application process, students are encouraged to present their brightest and most innovative ideas, then to apply their knowledge and skills in a real life setting.

Students qualify as Junior Fellows if they have earned a bachelor's degree and have been accepted in or recently entered a graduate/professional school. Students qualify as Senior Fellows if they are well-advanced in or have completed their graduate/professional program.

The ten month program gives the Fellows an opportunity to explore their ideas about a career in government. They can experience the challenges and opportunities of city government first hand while working on specific projects and proposals to help departments reach their goals. The Fellows Program combines full-time employment in city government with professional development components in public administration, local government issues, networking, and career advancement.

Each Fellow will be placed in one of the major divisions, agencies or branches of city government for the first half of the year, and then transferred to a second to ensure a more varied experience. Senior Fellows will have the option of remaining in a placement appropriate to his or her field.

The Fellows Program is a ten month program beginning August 9, 2010 and ending June 3, 2011. Over 10 months, Fellows are paid a salary of $30,000 plus receive pension and health benefits.

Eligibility and Application Information

Any post-baccalaureate student interested in pursuing a career in city government is encouraged to apply regardless of major or previous fields of training. Employees of the City of New Orleans are not eligible. By August 9, 2010, applicants must meet the following requirements:

U.S. Citizen
Resident of Orleans Parish OR graduate of a high school or college in Orleans Parish
Bachelor's degree AND admission to, enrollment in or completion of an accredited graduate or professional program
Prepared to participate in the program on a full-time basis from August 9 to June 3

The application deadline is Monday, April 5, 2010. Selected finalists will be invited to interviews sometime during the last 2 weeks of April. Final selections will be announced by April 30, 2010. The Fellows Program begins on Monday, August 9, 2010. Chosen Fellows are encouraged but not required to establish domicile in the City of New Orleans during the period of employment.

The City of New Orleans does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, creed, culture, or ancestry.

Application Instructions

Download the 2010 Application
Mail or drop off completed application to:

Selection Committee, Mayoral Fellows Program
Suite 2E04 City Hall
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112

Email us for more information

or call
Julie Schwam Harris
at (504) 658-4961

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Focus Areas
The Fellows Program offers many potential areas for placement. Each Fellow will be placed by the coordinator in two areas. Senior Fellows may choose to remain in one area related to their field. Some of the possibilities are:

Chief Administrative Office

City Council Offices

City Planning

Communications

Economic Development

Arts & Entertainment

Business Retention & Attraction

International Trade & Development

Finance

Health

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Criminal Justice

Emergency Preparedness

Housing

Intergovernmental Relations

Law

Technology