12,000 DC Summer Jobs! Applications will be available today at 3:15pm!

Applications for Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s One City Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) will be available today at 3:15pm (http://www.summerjobs.dc.gov)! The SYEP is a locally-funded program administered by the DOES Office of Youth Programs that provides summer jobs and work readiness training to District youth ages 14-21. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and all applications must be received by Friday, March 11 in order to be considered. Space is very limited this year (only 12,000 youth will be selected) so those who are interested in a summer job are encouraged to apply early and comply with all posted deadlines.

Youth may complete their application from any computer with an Internet connection. If you need assistance with your application or a place to access the Internet, you can attend Midnight Madness – an official SYEP application kick-off event. Midnight Madness will take place on Friday, February 25 from 3:15pm until 12:00 midnight at the new DOES building (4058 Minnesota Avenue NE, adjacent to the Minnesota Avenue Metro station). DOES staff will be on hand all night to assist youth and their families, and to answer any questions.

This summer:

• SYEP will be smaller and tailored more to the individual needs of youth.
• Youth will be required to “apply” for the program, not simply register. 
• Employers will have multiple opportunities to interview and screen youth.
• Youth participants will receive multiple formats of orientation to better prepare them for work.
• There will be greater transparency around program requirements, dates, and deadlines.

 The 2011 SYEP will begin on Monday, June 27, 2011 and will end by Friday, August 5, 2011. 

For additional information about the 2011 “One City Summer Youth Employment Program,” residents can visit http://www.summerjobs.dc.gov, or call DOES at (202) 698-3492.