Intern - Human Resources

County of Culpeper•County of Culpeper, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Intern position provides students or recent graduates with hands-on experience in local government operations through meaningful project-based work, professional development opportunities, and exposure to public service careers. Interns will support departmental initiatives while developing practical workplace skills, communication abilities, and professional knowledge related to their field of study and career interests. This position is designed to provide valuable learning opportunities while assisting departments with operational, administrative, technical, research, or customer service functions.

Requirements

Current enrollment in an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree program in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related field; or a recent graduate within the past 12 months
Demonstrated interest in public service, local government, or human resources as a career field
Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams)
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment
Must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive government and personnel data
Fundamental HR concepts including recruitment, benefits, employee relations, and workforce planning
Employment laws and regulations including EEO, FMLA, ADA, and FLSA
HR information systems and productivity platforms, particularly Microsoft 365
Basic data management, reporting, or research methods preferred
Organizing tasks, managing priorities, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Written and verbal communication, including the ability to handle sensitive matters with professionalism
Researching HR topics and summarizing findings clearly
Attention to detail in document preparation and recordkeeping
Learn and adapt quickly to new systems, policies, and County-specific HR tools
Work effectively under supervision while also taking initiative on assigned tasks
Handle sensitive personnel information with discretion and professionalism
Interact respectfully and collaboratively with County staff and the public
Follow established policies, procedures, and confidentiality protocols
Current enrollment in technical program, college, or graduate program; or recent graduate within the past 12 months
Interest in public service, local government, or related career field
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Office or related software
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment

Nice To Haves

Basic data management, reporting, or research methods preferred

Responsibilities

Assist department staff with daily operations and assigned projects
Conduct research, gather data, and prepare reports or presentations
Provide administrative support including filing, document preparation, scheduling, and data entry
Participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development activities
Assist with customer service and communication efforts as appropriate
Support special projects and departmental initiatives
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
Follow County policies, procedures, and safety standards
Perform other duties as assigned
Assist with recruitment activities including job postings, application tracking, interview scheduling, and candidate communications
Support onboarding and offboarding processes including document preparation, orientation coordination, and file maintenance
Help maintain and audit employee records in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and County retention policies
Assist with benefits administration tasks such as enrollment support, carrier communications, and employee inquiries
Support payroll functions by assisting with timesheet review, data entry, and reconciliation under staff supervision
Assist with the administration of employee relations activities including documentation, meeting coordination, and follow-up tracking
Help develop and update HR policies, procedures, employee handbooks, and standard operating procedures
Support compliance efforts related to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), FMLA, ADA, and other employment regulations
Assist with training and development initiatives including logistics coordination, material preparation, and attendance tracking
Contribute to HR reporting and workforce analytics by compiling data and preparing summaries or dashboards
Support performance management processes including tracking evaluation cycles and maintaining related documentation
Participate in the evaluation and implementation of HR information systems (HRIS) and related technology tools
Perform other HR-related duties as assigned by the department supervisor