Internship - Procurement & Supplier Diversity Intern

Application Limit

To ensure a timely and thorough review process, this posting will close after the first 50 applications are received. We encourage interested applicants to apply early.

 Process & Timeline

Applications Close: March 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Application Review: April 10, 2026
Anticipated Internship Start Date: June 15, 2026
Anticipated Internship End Date: August 21, 2026

Compensation — Based on Education Level

• Freshman or Sophomore: $19.57/hour
• Junior or Senior: $21.17/hour
• Graduate Student: $24.77/hour

Interns typically work 25–29 hours per week during regular business hours. The schedule offers flexibility and will be determined with the supervisor.

About the Internship

The City of Hillsboro’s Finance Department is seeking a Procurement & Supplier Diversity Intern to support procurement and supplier diversity initiatives this summer.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to work behind the scenes of public procurement while engaging directly with businesses and community partners. The intern will help expand access to City contracting opportunities by supporting outreach efforts, assisting vendors with registration processes, and contributing to projects that improve how businesses connect with the City.

This role is well suited for someone who enjoys talking with people, building relationships, and helping others navigate processes. The intern will work closely with the Procurement Services team while gaining hands-on experience in public sector operations.

For more detailed information about the duties, responsibilities, and minimum qualifications associated with this role, please review the official job classification:  Intern

The Finance Department supports City operations through responsible financial management, procurement services, and equitable access to City contracting opportunities.

The Procurement Services team partners with City staff to facilitate purchasing processes, support contracting opportunities, and promote the supplier diversity program. Through these efforts, the team helps ensure City resources are used responsibly while creating meaningful opportunities for local and small minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses to participate in public projects.

Why This Internship is Unique

This internship offers hands-on exposure to how local governments purchase goods and services and how public agencies work to expand contracting opportunities for small and diverse businesses. Interns will gain practical experience understanding the differences between private and public procurement, supporting vendor engagement, procurement operations, event planning, multijurisdictional collaboration, and community outreach while contributing to initiatives that connect businesses with public projects.

Projects This Summer

During the internship, you may support several initiatives, including:

• Assisting with the planning and coordination of the Westside Open House, an event that connects Minority/Women/Veteran-owned businesses with public contracting opportunities
• Expanding the Minority/Women/Veteran Business Directory through outreach and engagement with local businesses
• Supporting vendor onboarding by assisting businesses with registration in platforms such as Biddingo and B2Gnow
• Conducting data analysis related to vendor participation and procurement activity
• Helping develop video-based procurement training materials
• Supporting Procurement Services team projects and process improvements

What a Typical Week May Look Like

This internship includes a mix of outreach, coordination, and project support. A typical week may include:

• Participating in team meetings and reviewing upcoming priorities
• Scheduling meetings for the Westside Open House planning committee
• Preparing agendas and recording meeting notes
• Reaching out to businesses to expand the Minority/Women/Veteran Business Directory
• Assisting vendors with  navigating  City vendor portals
• Supporting research and data analysis related to procurement activity
• Assisting with presentations, reports, and training materials

Development Opportunities

This internship is designed to help students build valuable professional skills, including:

• Building relationships with businesses, partners, and City staff
• Business and procurement knowledge in a public sector environment
• Cross-department communication and coordination
• Internal and external outreach and engagement
• Professional organization, communication, and project support skills

What Success Looks Like

By the end of the internship, success may include:

• Expanded participation in the Minority/Women/Veteran Business Directory
• Coordinated support for Westside Open House planning efforts
• Completed analysis related to vendor participation or onboarding processes
• Demonstrated growth in communication, organization, and relationship-building skills
• Reliable support of Procurement Services team priorities and initiatives

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is curious about local government, organized, and comfortable connecting with others.

Successful candidates will typically bring:
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfort engaging with community members and business partners
• Attention to detail when organizing information, notes, or data
• Ability to manage tasks independently and follow through on assignments
• Interest in public service, business operations, or procurement
• Experience with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Helpful but not required:
• Ability to communicate in Spanish or other languages
• Experience with Microsoft Teams
• Prior video editing experience

Examples of Essential Work

Specific assignments will vary depending on departmental needs, but may include:

• Responding to internal and external inquiries related to assigned projects
• Conducting research and analysis related to procurement processes
• Assisting with special projects, reports, and program development
• Supporting team meetings, project coordination, and documentation
• Participating in training sessions or meetings to build knowledge of assigned work areas
• Performing other duties of a similar nature as assigned

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Must be enrolled in an educational institution (secondary or post-secondary) or have graduated within the last three months, studying Finance, Business Administration, Project Management, Economics, or a related field.
• This internship is best suited for an undergraduate student, particularly a sophomore, junior, or senior.
• Preference may be given to students currently enrolled at Portland Community College in the Future Connect program.

Licensing / Certifications

• Possession of a valid State Driver’s License and safe driving record
• Ability to drive to occasional off-site meetings
• Must be 18 years of age by the time of hire

Additional Information

Bilingual incentive pay available

Preference may be given to candidates who are bilingual in Spanish/English. Employees who can demonstrate the ability to speak Spanish, or any language spoken by over ten percent (10%) of City residents as documented by the most recent U.S. Census, at a proficiency level determined by a fluency test administered by the City, will receive a monthly premium of three percent (3%) of their regular base pay.

City of Hillsboro Core Values

Employees at the City of Hillsboro are expected to exemplify the behaviors set forth in our Core Values:

• Excellence in Public Service
• Respect for Diverse Voices and Ideas
• Responsiveness in Customer Service
• Tradition of Reliability
• Stewardship of the Public Trust
• Leadership with Ethics and Integrity
• Culture of Teamwork and Communication
• Emphasis on Innovation

Commitment to Equity

Hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment where employees can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives.

Application Guidelines

• Apply early — the posting will close after the first 50 applications are received
• Complete all sections of the application fully and accurately
• Highlight examples that demonstrate communication, organization, customer service, outreach, or community engagement experience