Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

AST TRACK YOUR FUTURE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT

The Cookingham-Noll Management Fellowship is a 2-year, full-time, paid position with the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Our program offers a top-tier professional development and career opportunity in local government. With the fellowship comes challenge and excitement, as well as a host of work-life benefits that are hard to match. This unique experience offers recent graduates of Public Administration (or related) Master’s programs a “360-degree tour of the city" and includes rotations in the City's Office of Performance Management, the Office of Management and Budget, and other departments of their choice. Fellows will also attend and participate in several meetings each week with the City Manager and other City leadership throughout their time as a fellow.

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Excellent and meaningful opportunities to explore different career options await you, whether you are looking for a stepping stone to launch your professional life, growing a long-term career, or changing career paths. A unique and rewarding opportunity to work in local government exists where you can gain the knowledge and skills to be effective local government practitioners and make a difference in a community.

We are looking for Management Fellows who will provide the following:

INNOVATION:

Bring fresh perspectives to Kansas City about public administration and public policy from top research and professional institutions and offer unique outside perspectives and experiences to the organization.

ENERGY:

Provide enthusiasm and focused energy to important high-priority City projects. Be able to engage yourself and others to keep projects, and our City moving forward.

VERSATILITY:

Each day is different and fellows must strike a balance between managing priority City projects that require their involvement in multiple departments and the responsibilities associated with their individual

LEADERSHIP:

Be dedicated to becoming effective leaders by gaining experience in many different aspects of local government, which is a benefit to them and the City whether they transition to other positions in the City or go on to become leaders in other communities across the country.

Application Process

Our program is designed to attract, develop, and retain talented individuals with an interest in a local government management career. The City is eager to receive applications and submissions from qualified candidates (individuals who will have completed a Master’s degree in Public Administration or related field by May 2023) and begin the selection process for this prestigious opportunity.

Applications and Submissions

The application for the 2023-2025 cohort is now open.

In order to be eligible, you must have completed the required coursework towards a MPA or related fields by May 2023.

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Round 1:

City Application

Round 2:

Cover Letter

Resume

Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts

Three Reference Contacts

Policy Analysis Writing Exercise, Max: 3-4 pages, double-spaced

Round 3:

Virtual interview with panel

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Interview and Selection Stage

Applicants who are selected for an interview will be notified. Following the interview process, the chosen candidates are notified within 7-14 days following the interviews.

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