Administrative Intern - Economic Development
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This recruitment may close at any time without notice. The first review of applications is scheduled for March 16, 2026.
Are you interested in learning the ropes of local government and assisting in growing Ontario's business community? If so, the City of Ontario has an exciting part-time opportunity for you! The Economic Development Agency has an internship opportunity that will enable you to get hands on experience in the field of economic development while developing professional skills in the areas of public relations, commercial real estate, and business relations. The successful candidate will embody the values of the City's Approach to Public Service – Commitment to the Community, Excellence through Teamwork, and Doing the Right Thing the Right Way - as well as the qualities of a "Five Tool Player" – Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant.
As the Administrative Intern within Economic Development, you will focus on supporting commercial real estate and business concierge. As members of the Economic Development team, you will be able to interact with City staff as well as local government, business, and development leaders. The Administrative Intern performs entry-level analytical work under the mentorship of the Economic Development designee and other management-level employees. As with any internship experience, individuals who are resourceful with a desire and initiative to learn as much as possible from experienced employees will have the greatest benefit from their internship.
The Ideal Candidate
Along with supporting the Agency's and the City's missions, the ideal candidate will also have the ability to:
- Represent the City in a professional manner.
- Collect and analyze data.
- Network and collaborate with internal and external partners.
- Take initiative and have the motivation to learn and help.
- Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Work efficiently both independently and in a team setting.
- Have a proactive and creative mindset.
- Be detail-oriented.
Additionally, the successful candidate will embody the Department's mission and vision as well as the qualities of a
"Five Tool Player"- Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant - and the principles of the City's
Customer Service Philosophy– Empathy, Respect, and Problem Solving.
The Administrative Intern is a paid, part-time/temporary position scheduled to work no more than 29 hours per week and is not eligible to participate in the City's health insurance or retirement plans
The Following Procedures Will Apply
- The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that meet the qualification guidelines below.
- Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
The Economic Development Agency
The primary goal of the Ontario Economic Development Agency is to promote investment and prosperity for our residents and businesses by enhancing the physical, social, and economic fabric of the community. The Agency's mission is implemented through programs and projects that directly impact Business Attraction Retention, Expansion, and Real Estate Development. The Agency provides services to the City's residents and businesses, including the attraction of potential business and investment, new development, adaptive reuse projects, retention and expansion of current businesses, workforce development, tourism, business concierge, marketing, and public relations. The Economic Development Agency offers a lively and energetic work culture with all the tools and resources needed to successfully promote Ontario as the best place in the world to do business. The City of Ontario has great benefits, creates professional growth, and establishes professional purpose. Come join our team!
The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.
About
The City’s vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario’s 2025 State of the City video by clicking on the link below as well as the other links to learn more about the City:
State of the City The Ontario Plan
Smart Ontario Downtown Ontario
The essential functions typically performed by the Administrative Intern assigned to Economic Development include the following:
- Assists members of management, professional and technical staff by performing a variety of administrative, technical, and analytical projects and assignments.
- Assists with scheduling, set-up, and tear-down of special events.
- Operates personal computers, printers, and other office equipment.
- Performs research and preliminary administrative analysis.
- Assists with the development and implementation of grant programs.
- Reviews and summarizes publications and documents.
- Attends networking events with business and community leaders to represent the City of Ontario and foster partnerships.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
When Assigned To Commercial Real Estate-Business Concierge
- Assists in supporting and coordinating the maintenance of city-owned properties
- Conducts preliminary analysis of sale and lease terms and prepares summaries
- Assists in the procurement process of real estate related services
- Participates in meetings with City Staff and developers; prepares meeting minutes and agendas.
- Assists in drafting staff reports, City Memorandums, presentations, and memorandums for purchase offers.
- Assists with the preparation of detailed market analysis of sales comps and rents to determine project feasibility.
- Assists with and responds to inquiries from property owners and prospective business owners.
- Assists with site selection inquiries.
- Prepares Business Attraction packages.
- Uses Accela to navigate through the City permit portal.
- Provides updated or priority projects led by business concierge and visits projects periodically.
- Leads Business Concierge Monthly Business Check-In Program.
Education
Equivalent to completion of two years of college with major course work in Economic Development, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field.
NOTE: Proof of successful completion of two years of college coursework must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative at, or before, time of the reference check process. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degree/Certifications.
Licenses
Valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout employment are required.
Desirable
- Knowledge of basic real estate principles including techniques, terminology, and practices.
- Knowledge of land-use and urban planning principles.
- Knowledge of public relations strategies.
- Knowledge of Co-Star and/or any related platforms for market analytics and property insights.
How to Apply
Qualifications
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com, you will be prompted to create a new user account; otherwise, log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:
- List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
- List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
- Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.
A resume may be attached to your application but will NOT substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.
NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in disqualification from the selection process.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City's online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process.
Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.
Supplemental Questions
To complete your application for this position, you may be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.
Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, partial information, or AI-generated responses may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.
Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
Email Notices
Email is the primary way that the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application, please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
