City Opens Applications for Ascend Internship Program
Published on December 10, 2025
The city of Sioux Falls has opened applications for the 2026 Ascend Internship Program. The program, which consists of 12 unique internships, offers young professionals hands-on experience in public service, with opportunities available in the city attorney’s office, engineering, human resources, parks and recreation, planning and development services, public safety, public works and Siouxland Libraries.
Internships with the city offer competitive pay, with wages starting at $18.48 per hour, and include mentorship opportunities to support personal and professional growth. The program is open to students 18 or older, including current undergraduate, technical and master’s-level students. Interns can enjoy flexible start and end dates, with a typical internship lasting about 10 weeks.
“Beyond their specific departments, interns in the Ascend Internship Program have the opportunity to learn about the entire city organization through a structured program. They are part of a cohort where they can network with peers and build connections” said Chad Quissell, talent acquisition coordinator for the City of Sioux Falls. “The cross-departmental exposure helps them see how all the pieces of local government work together to serve the community.”
This year’s program features a wide range of internship roles designed to match diverse interests and career goals. The roles highlighted below represent a sample of available positions in the Ascend Internship Program. Additional internship opportunities are also open for application.
CommuniTree Assistance Intern
This new internship offers the opportunity to work directly on a $3 million grant the city received from the U.S. Forest Service. The intern will also assist with community outreach and education efforts in support of the CommuniTree Assistance Program.
In this position, interns will participate in activities across various areas of the Sioux Falls Police Department, including investigative services, traffic, patrol, school and community resource officers, the crime lab, K-9 unit, and training. Interns will also assist with community events such as National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop, and the SFPD Citizens Police Academy.
Interns working with engineering will assist with a variety of activities that support the design, construction or maintenance of public infrastructure in the city of Sioux Falls. Specific duties may include participating on a survey crew, materials testing, project inspection, GIS data editing, traffic counting, data collection and verification, traffic sign installation, and traffic signal maintenance.
The candidate in this position will assist the Planning and Development Services staff with reports, inspections and planning processes, and may have the opportunity to present to the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. They will support strategic planning projects related to transportation, transit and comprehensive planning. Additional responsibilities include conducting data analysis for signage, land use inventory and other assigned tasks.
This position will assist with urban forest management activities, including updating inventory records, marking trees designated for removal, coordinating with homeowners and conducting site inspections. They will also participate in the city of Sioux Falls’ planting permit program by performing initial site inspections, re-inspecting planted sites and updating the tree inventory. Additional responsibilities include supporting education and outreach efforts related to the Emerald Ash Borer, as well as promoting tree planting, maintenance and the benefits of a healthy urban forest.
The Ascend Internship Program takes place annually from May through August. To explore additional internships with the city of Sioux Falls and apply, visit siouxfalls.gov/ascend.