Job Description

This is a one-year, full-time, paid Internship Program.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Operations section within the Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a motivated Contracts & Financial Operations Intern to support contracts administration, financial operations, and procurement coordination for the Water, Sewer, Streets (WSS) Division and the Water Pollution Control Bureau (WPCB). This internship offers hands-on experience supporting contract tracking, procurement processes, financial documentation, and operational coordination within a complex public infrastructure environment. Working under the mentorship of experienced professionals, the intern will assist with contract management activities, process improvement initiatives, and data organization efforts that support efficient service delivery and fiscal accountability.

Major Job Duties:

• Supporting contract administration and procurement activities, including tracking solicitation and contract processes through award;
• Maintaining and updating contract databases, logs, and tracking tools to ensure accuracy and accessibility of information;
• Assisting with development and management of procurement project schedules and preparing routine status updates for internal stakeholders;
• Reviewing and verifying invoices to ensure pricing, deliverables, and supporting documentation comply with contract requirements;
• Supporting process improvement initiatives related to contract management, documentation, and administrative workflows;
• Compiling, organizing, and analyzing financial and contract-related data to support reporting and audit activities;
• Collaborating with staff across DES divisions to support coordination of contract, procurement, and financial operations; and
• Performing other duties as assigned to support operational, budget, and contract priorities.

The ideal candidate will have strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, along with an interest in contracts administration, finance, procurement, or public sector operations. Coursework or experience involving budgeting, contracts, data analysis, or administrative support is preferred, as is the ability to manage details across multiple tasks and deadlines.

Location: Water/Sewer/Streets Division - 4200 S. 28th Street, Arlington [primary]
Water Pollution Control Bureau, 3402 S. Glebe Rd. Arlington [secondary]

Arlington County

Arlington County is an innovative local government in Northern Virginia seeking motivated candidates for one-year internship opportunities across multiple departments. These roles are ideal for recent graduates and current graduate students with limited professional experience who are looking to kickstart their careers.

Interns gain hands-on experience supporting key County initiatives while participating in a structured cohort-based development program. Throughout the year, interns work under the mentorship of senior staff, contributing fresh ideas, improving processes, and leveraging technology to enhance organizational effectiveness, all while familiarizing themselves with a public-sector environment.

Minimum Qualifications: Recent, 2025 and/or 2026 college graduates earning either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree* in the area of consideration prior to the start date of the Cohort Program (Sept. 2026) must have:

• No professional-level work experience (less than one year) in the internship field; and
• You may be a currently enrolled student in a Master’s degree program related to the internship, but you must not have significant professional-level work experience in the internship area and must be available to work during designated hours.

Degree Requirements: Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Liberal Arts, or related discipline.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• G.P.A. of 3.0 or above is preferred and applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts;
• Coursework or experience related to contracts administration, procurement, finance, budgeting, or public administration;
• Experience organizing or tracking data using spreadsheets or databases, including Microsoft Excel;
• Ability to review documents and identify discrepancies, trends, or missing information; and/or
• Experience preparing summaries, schedules, or administrative reports.

Special Requirements

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Letter of Interest: A complete application includes a letter of interest. Please attach your letter to this application detailing your background and experience and how they have prepared you for this position.

Resume Requirement: A complete application includes a resume. Please attach your resume to the application and verify that the details of your application provide further evidence of your experience and qualifications as displayed on your resume.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions.

Additional Information

Work hours: This is a full-time position (40 hrs/week) Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day. This is not a fully remote opportunity. Employees will be expected to be in the office at the discretion of the Supervisor and needs of the agency as well as to attend in-person classroom training.

• Under the DES flexwork policy, employees must work at least 24 hours in the office each pay period (every two weeks). Specific in-office days and schedules can be arranged with the supervisor, provided they comply with DES flexwork requirements.
• Schedules are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on operational priorities, annual demands, and individual performance.
• During telework hours, employees are expected to remain responsive and available, maintain regular communication with their team and supervisor, and ensure that all work responsibilities are fulfilled in a timely and professional manner.

The pay range listed above is effective July 1, 2026.

Applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

All Cohort Interns are eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental and leave.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment

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