Establishes New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program; appropriates $750,000.
Upon successful completion of the internship program, participants are granted hiring preferences when applying for entry-level civil service positions, within two years of graduation, provided the position is relevant to their internship experience. The bill gives additional priority to disabled veterans participating in the program, ensuring their status is recognized in civil service hiring decisions. This structure aims to encourage inclusivity and support for veteran students as they transition into the workforce.
The program requires appropriations of $750,000 from the State General Fund toward stipends for participants, which will be paid bi-weekly. This financial commitment underscores the importance of supporting student engagement in public service and highlights a proactive approach to workforce development within state government. The advisory committee responsible for the program will be led by a director to oversee operations and ensure effective implementation and outcomes for student participants.
Assembly Bill A3246 establishes the New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program, an initiative aimed at engaging outstanding students from various academic disciplines in public service through internships within state government. The program is designed for full-time and part-time students attending accredited higher education institutions, with a priority given to New Jersey residents. Participants are required to complete two work periods of 240 hours each, with specific working hour limitations to balance their academic commitments.
However, the bill stipulates that internship hours will not count towards hiring preferences for roles requiring a juris doctorate or PhD, which means students pursuing those degrees will not benefit from this particular aspect of the program. Moreover, the decision of whether to retain participants for further internship hours after completion rests with the state agency, allowing flexibility but also potential variability in experience among participants.