• Students complete a 4 hour Work Skills Training in April and receive $50 and a certificate for completion
• Students meet with an adult mentor throughout the summer to strengthen skills and build their support network
• Students have support of the program committee as they are connected to employers and complete the hiring process
• Students have the option to take tuition free college courses during the summer
• Students build skills while at work through reflection and supervisor feedback

Anyone 15-19 years old. Priority is given to students 16-19 years old.

• Prepare your resume
• Complete the online program application
• Complete an interview with the Summer Jobs Program Committee

Positions include automotive, retail, healthcare, agriculture, information technology, recreation, education, legal, finance, administration, hospitality, marketing, business, & construction among others. We do our best to match you with a position that aligns with your interests and skills.

Yes, all positions are paid. The pay rate varies depending on the employer.

By early or mid May. After students interview with SJP, we match students with positions in mid-April. You will then complete the hiring process with the potential employer, including an interview. The employer will let you know if they will hire you shortly after your interview.

Yes! Student participants can choose to take a tuition-free college course as part of the program. Students can take a 1-credit Work Skills and Interpersonal Communication course from Miles Community College or they can take a 3-credit Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace course through Helena College. These online courses are open to students anywhere in Montana and the earned credits are transferable to almost any certificate or college program! Thank you to Miles Community College and Reach Higher Montana for funding these courses.

The positions run from early June to mid-August. Some positions have the option of continuing after the summer months.

Some students will work full-time and some will work part-time, depending on the position. You will work at least 150 hours (20 hours/week for 8 weeks or 25 hours/week for 6 weeks).

Yes! You can keep the position you have and participate in the Summer Jobs Program. You would build your resume and professional network through the work skills training and mentoring. You would also be able to take the optional free college courses.

You will need to have a current photo ID and a Social Security number. You will need to transport yourself to your job site. If required by your host employer, you will need to successfully pass a drug screening and background check.

You can help develop the local future workforce! SJP provides the perfect opportunity to train future employees, strengthen the local economy, and support the community by creating a meaningful experience in the life of a young person. SJP will match you with a student who has expressed an interest in growing their work skills and has completed a work skills training prior to the summer. Throughout the summer, the student will also meet with a mentor to strengthen the student’s professional and personal development.SJP cannot guarantee each host employer will be matched with a student applicant, due to applicant availability or qualifications.

• Identify a supervisor to provide training, guidance, and feedback to the student
• Attend an hour-long orientation session
• Where possible, identify a mentor (not the student’s supervisor) within the organization that can attend an SJP training and meet with the student throughout the summer
• Conduct a pre-placement interview with prospective employee
• Provide background checks, drug tests, orientation and/or job-specific training as required
• Complete two work skills evaluations with student during the summer
• Complete a final program evaluation

The Summer Jobs Program is more than a summer job:

• Students complete work skills training prior to starting their work experience
• Students meet with a mentor throughout the summer
• Students have the option to take tuition free college courses during the summer
• Supervisors evaluate students work skills and provide meaningful feedback

Our partner employers offer work experiences and a work environment designed to support students as they develop their employability skills and think about their career options. Supervisors provide quality on-the-job training, regular feedback to help students understand what they are doing well and where they can improve, and are intentional about helping the SJP student understand how their work fits into and positively impacts the organization and its clients. The program is more than “just a summer job” for our students. Additionally students receive a work skills training, certified through Helena College.

We match students and positions based on employer needs and student skills and interests.

You will hire the student and they will be on your payroll and insurance like any other employee.

Yes, we highly encourage you to interview the SJP student participant to confirm at good fit for your needs.

You can offer either a part-time or full-time position, whichever meets your needs. We ask that employers offer a minimum of 25 hours/week for at least 6 weeks for a minimum of 150 hours. Most employers offer 8-10 weeks of work.

Yes, you are welcome to continue to employ the student beyond the summer months if it is mutually agreeable for you and the student. In fact, we have found 30% of students continued working for their employers after the program ended.

February through early April – Students apply and interview with the SJP committeeApril – the SJP committee matches student participants with available positions

Late April to Early May – Employers interview students and confirm a good fit

April & May – Supervisors complete orientation, Students complete work skills training, Mentors complete orientation

Early June – Students begin working at their position

Check out our Employer Resources. We compiled sample job and intern position description, ideas for tasks, sample work plans, and more!

Yellowstone County Summer Jobs Program
Shaye Metcalf
shaye@bigskyeda.org
406-318-7673