Agencies

Agency Overview

Join over 200 non-profit and government agencies and elected officials in discovering the value of hosting a Roger Herz Public Service Scholar. By providing a learning opportunity for a Public Service Scholar, your agency receives the following benefits:

For nine months, a scholar to staff projects important to your agency
Quality policy and advocacy work
A chance to influence the development of a new generation of public service leaders
A dedicated advocate for your agency's mission, even after the placement ends

How It Works

PSSP selects up to 20 talented scholars to participate each year. We provide scholars with a stipend, academic credits, seminars on policy issues and support for the placement.

You provide strong supervision, one or more substantive policy-related projects and a positive learning environment for the scholar.

Scholars can and should perform a range of work that might include research, analysis, advocacy, organizing, community outreach, and other tasks critical to your agency's policy work. They should not be engaged in direct service to clients.

PSSP is competitive for scholars and agencies alike! Approximately 100 agencies will apply to host one of our 20 scholars.

Interview and Placement Process and Calendar

Early April: Newly-admitted scholars review job descriptions
Late April: Scholars contact 3-5 agencies to schedule interviews. Agencies schedule interviews promptly and submit placement preference to PSSP*
Early June: Scholars and agencies notified of placements
September: Placements begin mid-month and run through May

* Agencies may be contacted for interviews by multiple students. Agencies not selected for an interview are invited to re-apply for the next year.

How To Apply

When you apply, be prepared to provide the following information:

Supervisor's contact information
Agency contact information
Brief agency description
A detailed job description (word or pdf to upload)
Amount of voluntary agency contribution toward the scholar's stipend

Placement Job Description

Agency applications and job descriptions will be reviewed to ensure that they provide well-supervised and substantive placements for Public Service Scholars. The strength and thoroughness of your job description will impact your chances of being chosen by a scholar. Placements should allow the scholar to:

Be involved in the ongoing activities of the agency
Work on one or more policy areas
Learn about the policy making process and policy implementation
Hone skills in research, writing, analysis, advocacy, organizing, public presentation and others.

Fees and Contributions

There is no application fee. Agencies selected to host a scholar are asked to pay a $175 administrative fee. Many agencies recognize the great value Public Service Scholars add to their agencies by contributing to the scholar's stipend. All scholars receive a stipend from the program, allowing self-supporting students to participate and give their full attention to the placement. The program raises all stipend funds from agency contributions and other private support.