City of Seminole Council members unanimously approved a new Inter-Governmental Agreement with St. Petersburg College establishing a “Public Service Associate in Training” program.
This unique program will assist a selected graduate of the St. Petersburg College, Bachelors in Science Public Policy and Administration Program, the ability to springboard his or her career within a City Administration. The Public Service Associate will be assisting the City of Seminole administration with development and completion of special projects that City Directors delegate, such as strategic planning, special budgeting, and capital improvement related tasks.
As described in the St. Petersburg College catalog of courses, “The Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Administration prepares individuals to make decisions and influence policy affecting an organization, a community, a whole state or the entire nation. Individuals also learn the ins and outs of policy making and how to become a leader”. Dr. James Oliver, President of St. Petersburg College, stated during a recent council meeting that this initiative will be a “National model” that other communities may use to develop future civic leaders and administrators.
The Public Service Associate Program is scheduled to begin August 1, 2015 and the first individual selected for the position will be a spring 2015 graduate. The agreement between the City of Seminole and St. Petersburg College is a 10-year arrangement and will provide for the annual opportunity of a recently graduated student to be employed with the City in a full-time, temporary capacity for twelve months. The selected individual will be rotated through all of the City Departments and perform special project assignments that are delegated by the City Manager and Department Heads. The anticipated annual salary expense is $30,000 with associated benefits.
Persons interested in participating in this program should contact St. Petersburg College’s Public Policy and Administration Program Dean Susan Demers at 727-791-2501.
