Applications accepted on a rolling basis until cohort is full.

"[We] saw our organization through new eyes and new energy. Seeing someone motivated to see positive change in our community was refreshing for many staff!"  -Employer Partner
Purpose
The First Alaskans Institute (FAI) 2025 Summer Internship Program (SIP) places Alaska Native, American Indian, rural community members and students into organizations around Alaska to provide leadership growth, employment experience and exploration. The program is designed to help those who show a high level of community leadership and commitment; prepare for their careers; further or advance their education or training; engage in other professional opportunities that strengthen their ability to help serve and advance our Alaska Native community. Priority placement is given to juniors, seniors and recent graduates in college or vocational school, graduate students, and/or community members whose life experience and work history showcase a commitment to serving our Native peoples but have not enrolled in higher education. At minimum, applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent. This one-of-a-kind experience strengthens the next generation of leaders in Indigenous communities through harmonizing Native knowledge with history, and transferable business skills with community-based advocacy training. Participants experience hands-on learning relevant to intern’s pursuits and employer’s interests.

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* 1. Please provide the following contact information (enter N/A for those not applicable):

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* 2. INTERN PLACEMENT INFORMATION

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* 3. Due to Covid-19 some offices are requiring employees to work in person in their office while following social distancing procedures (wearing a mask while in the office, staying 6 feet apart from others, wiping down surfaces after use, etc.), are you currently requiring your staff to practice and follow these requirements while in your office?

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* 4. At this time will your intern be required to work in-person, remotely, both, or unknown? Please note, we will ask this question again as we get closer to the internship start date.

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* 5. If you require your intern to work remotely, are you able to cover their costs for or provide them internet, a computer/laptop, and all necessary office supplies?

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* 6. Is DRUG TESTING mandatory for your organization?

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* 7. What other INTERNAL HIRING REQUIREMENTS will the intern have to complete before the start date of Monday, June 9, 2025?

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* 8. How do you see the FAI Summer Intern strengthening your mission of your organization? What do you hope to learn from a FAI Summer Intern?

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* 9. Please provide a BRIEF SUMMARY of the interns work.

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* 10. Attach a bulleted list of DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES that the intern will execute.

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* 11. INTERN WORK PLAN

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* 12. PARTNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

First Alaskans Institute will:
  • Provide management and oversight of internship program;
  • Assume all liabilities as employer of record such as Workers Compensation and General Liability Insurance for intern;
  • Conduct a mid-summer on-site visit and review of HR policies as appropriate;
  • Work with Employer Partner to provide meaningful management level internships;
  • Arrange round trip travel for intern from Anchorage to worksite for those placed outside of Anchorage;
  • Pay $20.00 per hour for intern wage, but no more than eight hours per day or 40 hours per week;
  • Provide payroll services for interns including mandatory withholdings;
  • Provide two week-long Mandatory Leadership Development Retreats: June 2nd – 6th, 2025 and August 4th – 8th, 2025. Provide half-day Mandatory Leadership Development Friday sessions from 1-5 pm on June 20, July 11 & 25;
  • Assess effectiveness of project and determine appropriate adjustments for future projects;
  • Organize networking gathering for employers, interns, intern alumni, and FAI staff;
  • Organize a formal end of season celebration event for interns and Employer Partners;
  • Organize intern debrief session at the end of the Summer Internship Program.

Employer Partner will:
  • Provide intern with full time work schedule from June 9 – August 1, 2025;
  • Develop an eight-week work plan to provide meaningful leadership level work for intern and submit to First Alaskans Institute no later than April 30th, 2025. The work plan should include opportunities for:
    • Hands-on practical experience in managerial level positions;
    • Mentorship and development of the intern throughout the summer;
    • Engagement in issues important to the Alaska Native community;
    • Challenging work tasks to help intern grow and learn new skills; and
    • Please note: it is understood that occasional clerical or administrative support work may be required, but this should not be the focus of the internship;
  • Contribute a Placement Fee to invest in the program and intern(s);
  • Contact First Alaskans Institute immediately as issues arise;
  • Pay any and all overtime for the intern. The Employer Partner must: 1)Approve intern overtime in advance, 2)Initial timesheets where overtime charges are listed, and 3)Reimburse First Alaskans Institute for all overtime charges in a timely manner;
  • Approve and reimburse First Alaskans Institute for any holiday pay, excluding July 4;
  • Cover all costs related to any Employer Partner organization related travel, including accommodations and per diem;
  • Provide intern with time off to participate in Mandatory Leadership Development Retreats, 8 am-5 pm: June 2 – 6 & August 4 – 8, 2025. And provide intern with time off to participate in Mandatory Leadership Development Fridays, 1 - 5 pm: June 20, and July 11 & 25th, 2025;
  • Conduct an orientation to introduce intern to the Employer Partner organization;
  • Appoint an office supervisor to oversee the intern daily and provide mid-summer and final evaluations;
  • Appoint a mentor to provide additional guidance and motivation for intern;
  • Submit mid-summer report of activities and learning experiences by intern and supervisor; and
  • Submit final evaluation of experience during the last week of internship; this evaluation is done with the intern.

After reading the PARTNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES the questions I have are:

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* 13. PLACEMENT FEE

In an effort to promote sustainability for the continued long term progress of the program and in recognition of the size and budget diversity among partner organizations, FAI implements a sliding scale Intern Placement Fee as follows:

Annual Operating Budget: Intern Placement Fee:
Below $250,000 $3,932.50
$250,001 to $500,000 $4,325.00
$500,001 to $2 million $4,840.00
$2 to $5 million $5,445.00
$5 to $10 million $6,050.00
Over $10 Million $6,655.00

The average overall cost per intern to participate in the ten-week program is just over $8,000. The Placement Fee is a significant contribution to offset the costs that FAI covers, including but not limited to: intern hourly wages, travel costs for the leadership training, supplies/materials, space rental, education and training fees, recruitment, interviewing, and staff support. This placement fee is nonrefundable.

After reading the PLACEMENT FEE information the questions I have are:

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* 14. What is your organizations annual operating budget?

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* 15. PLACEMENT PROCESS:

When an applicant is offered and accepts an intern position, they will have the opportunity to review all Employer Partner applications. They will then select their top five choices of where they would like to be placed. Employer Partners will simultaneously review all intern profiles (application, resume, and essays), and will make their top five choices as well (1 being top choice). These files will be available via www.dropbox.com. FAI will strive to match up intern and Employer Partner preferences as much as possible. Following a successful match, Employer Partners will be invited to our mandatory Employer Partner Orientation scheduled for late April or early May.

After reading the PLACEMENT PROCESS information the questions I have are:

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* 16. Provide the contact person who should be noted on the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement). This person should be able to join First Alaskans Institute in fully executing the MOA.

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