Orange County announces 2026 paid internships $16/hour; apply by April 3

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus announced on March 4, 2026 that Orange County will run a paid 2026 Summer Internship Program offering up to 25 positions across county departments, with applications due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026. The county posting sets pay at $16 per hour and caps the headcount at "up to 25 positions."

The program targets residents age 15 and older and explicitly includes high school and college students. The county website notes timing that "The program is expected to begin in late May for college students and early July for high school students, concluding when students return to school or at the end of August, whichever is later." Intern schedules will vary by assignment; the NewsFlash specifies that "Interns will earn $16 per hour and work between 19 and 35 hours per week, depending on departmental needs and availability."

Placements are slated across a range of county offices. The NewsFlash lists the County Executive’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Office for the Aging, Community Development, County Attorney’s Office, Emergency Services, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Mental Health, Probation and Real Property among participating departments. The county posting indicates a full roster is available on the county site for applicants to review.

Application logistics are centralized through Orange County’s online NewsFlash. The announcement states, "All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026." Applicants should note that "Positions may be filled on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible." The county page includes a site feature labeled "Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more," indicating applicants may be able to save form progress by registering on the county site.

Beyond pay and scheduling, the county highlighted professional benefits for interns: placements will include opportunities to engage with County leadership and gain valuable insight into careers in public service. The NewsFlash frames the internships as a pathway to learn operational functions inside county government while working within assigned departments.

The announcement was posted and last updated on March 4, 2026 by County Executive Neuhaus on Orange County’s official NewsFlash. With a limit of up to 25 positions and rolling selection underway, applicants who meet the 15-and-older eligibility should plan to complete the online application on the county website well before the 5:00 p.m. April 3 deadline to maximize their chances for placement.