The mission of the San Francisco Fellows program is to foster community stewardship by preparing recent college graduates and young professionals for roles in public service and administration.

The Fellows program is a unique opportunity to learn about public administration in local government while working full time as a City employee. Competitively selected applicants will join a cohort of up to 20 Fellows for an 11.5-month full-time work experience as City employees. Fellows will earn an annualized salary of approximately $62,000, plus health, dental, retirement and other benefits.

Fellows work on various programs and projects that have a direct impact on City operations which spans a broad range of City functions and departments, involving analysis, planning, and program development.

Website:  https://sfdhr.org/sffellows

Fellows are placed in various departments throughout the City. The FY21-22 cohort were in the following departments:

• Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families
• Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing
• Department of Public Health
• SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)
• Office of the Controller
• Public Utilities Commission
• Port of San Francisco
• San Francisco Public Library
• San Francisco Housing Authority

Fellows gain valuable full-time professional work experience and skills such as leadership, communication, technical skills and other professional development. The cohort experience includes regularly-scheduled learning sessions built into the Fellows' work schedule to provide a well-rounded, thorough introduction to San Francisco government operations, policies and strategies.

Fellows are paired with mentors who support the Fellows and provide advice, guidance and networking opportunities for professional development.  In addition, each Fellow is given guidance and support to prepare and compete for permanent civil service appointment to City employment by the completion of the fellowship year.

We invite people who have had an undergraduate degree conferred within the past 5 years (May 1, 2017 and June 30, 2022) to apply for this highly selective program. Specific areas of study are not required.

Ideal candidates for the fellowship will have less than five years of full-time professional work experience, as the fellowship is designed as a learning opportunity for individuals with limited work experience. Ideal candidates will also have a desire to learn to perform data analysis work, and will be flexible and open to a fellowship placement in any City department. 

Application Process and Timeline:

Please read and follow these instructions carefully, incomplete application submissions will not be considered:

You must submit your application via this online portal. Please be sure to upload your current resume to your application

IN ADDITION:  You must complete and submit this essay packet.  (https://forms.office.com/g/AQzEkE9VEb)  

Your essays will be reviewed by the Selection Committee to determine whether you will move forward in the selection process.

Timeline:

• March 6, 2022:  Application closes at 5pm PST; you must have submitted your essay packets by this deadline as well.
  • Application period has been extended until 5:00pm PST on Wednesday, March 9, 2022
• March – April:  Selected applicants will be invited to complete an online exam and a phone interview with a member of the Selection Committee
• April 18 – 29:  Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a half-day virtual group interview process during this time period
• Mid-May:  Finalists will receive conditional offer letters and undergo background check and reference checks.  Formal offers of employment with the City and County of San Francisco are provided after a candidate completes background and reference checks.
• August 15, 2022:  Fellowship begins (date may be subject to change)

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.