CARE Community Worksite Trainee 2026

Posting Details

Applicant View of Posting

Posting Number
1324T

Position Title
CARE Community Worksite Trainee 2026

Department
Parks & Recreation

Job Code
013

FLSA Status
Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation
Unrepresented

Pay Grade
T13

Job Description Summary

The goal of the City of Columbia's Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) Program is for Columbia's youth to be ready to enter the workforce and become productive, self-sufficient citizens. Since 1982, the CARE Program has provided comprehensive services for Columbia's youth that include:
• Job readiness training
• Soft skill development
• Paid real-world, hands-on work experience
• Mentoring
• Career exploration

Because the CARE program strives to prepare its applicants and trainees to be ready for real-life work situations, and since following directions and meeting deadlines are hallmarks of being successful in the workplace, CARE applicants and trainees must be able to follow directions and meet deadlines without reminders or extensions. Not following directions and/or missing a deadline will result in the person no longer being under consideration for CARE employment this year.

The CARE Program hires 14- to 20-year-olds who live in Columbia, MO, attend a Columbia, MO school, and/or have a parent/guardian who works for the City of Columbia. CARE hires them and places them at local businesses (community worksites) where they gain much-needed real-world hands-on work experience.

The CARE community worksite program is a 10-week program (June 21 through August 27) in which approximately 100 14- to 20-year-old trainees are hired at $15.00 per hour for new trainees and $15.25 for returning trainees to work up to 50 hours per two-week pay period at a local worksite.

Minimum Qualifications
• Must be at least 14 years of age on April 13, 2026 (no exceptions)
• Must live in Columbia, MO, attend a Columbia, MO school, and/or have a parent/guardian who works for the City of Columbia
• Must be able to follow directions and meet deadlines without reminders or extensions
• Must be willing to work hard and accept constructive criticism
• Must have reliable transportation to and from their worksite

Supervision Exercised

None.

Starting Salary
$15.00 per hour

Open Until Filled
No

Deadline to Apply
03/08/2026

Number of Positions Available
multiple

Notice to Applicants

Individuals needing accommodation to apply may call 573.874.7235

TTY: 711 (MO RELAY)

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA IS A MERIT, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: MALE / FEMALE

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA REQUIRES PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING

The City of Columbia participates in the federal E-Verify work authorization program

Special Instructions to Applicants

#1: Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as early as possible.

#2: Applicants should submit this online application using an email address that is checked daily and can SEND and RECEIVE OUTSIDE (non-Columbia Public School) emails. Please note that CPS middle school students' school email addresses (i.e., 12ABC01@stu.cpsk12.org) CANNOT SEND or RECEIVE OUTSIDE emails, so you should NOT use your Columbia Public School email address if you are in middle school.

#3: Please double-check the accuracy of your email address, phone numbers, and mailing address. Accurate contact information is very important for us to communicate effectively with you. If your contact information changes, please contact the CARE office at 573.874.6300 or Tonia.Turner@CoMo.gov and let us know.

#4: The applicant (or someone else) should check the email address listed on this application daily to see the status of this application.

#5: Applicants should send an email from an email address that is checked daily and can SEND and RECEIVE OUTSIDE (non-Columbia Public School) emails to Ron.Schmidt@CoMo.gov as soon as they submit their application to receive further instructions. Once again, CPS middle school students' school email addresses (i.e., 12ABC01@stu.cpsk12.org) CANNOT SEND or RECEIVE OUTSIDE emails, so you should NOT use your Columbia Public School email address if you are in middle school.

Example Email: "Hello. My name is Jane Doe. I have submitted my online CARE community worksite trainee application and am ready to receive further instructions."

If applicants do not send an email to Ron.Schmidt@CoMo.gov as soon as they submit their application, they will not receive further instructions, and they will no longer be under consideration for a CARE summer trainee job.

In addition, applicants who do not send an email from an email address that can SEND and RECEIVE OUTSIDE (non-Columbia Public School) emails will not receive further instructions, and they will no longer be under consideration for a CARE summer trainee job.

Once you send an email requesting further instructions to
Ron.Schmidt@CoMo.gov, he will reply within ten (10) days. You should not
contact the CARE office for additional instructions until at least ten (10) days
have passed since your email to Ron.Schmidt@CoMo.gov.

#6: While not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to bring:
• a resume
• a cover letter
• three letters of recommendation from non-family members who are at least 21 years old

...to their interview. Paper copies of the above-mentioned items brought to the CARE office by the applicant to their interview is the only allowable way to turn them in. Please tell those who are writing your letters of recommendation this is the only way they will be accepted.

#7: CARE trainee applicants who have a "no-call/no-show" to their scheduled interview will no longer be under consideration for CARE employment this year. A "no-call/no-show" is missing their interview without contacting the CARE Office BEFORE the scheduled date/time. Trainee applicants may reschedule their interview by calling 573.874.6300 or emailing Tonia.Turner@CoMo.gov BEFORE the scheduled date/time. Attempting to reschedule AFTER the scheduled date/time will be considered a "no-call/no-show." NO exceptions will be made for any reason.

#8: Timeline:

Because the CARE program strives to prepare its applicants and trainees to be ready for real-life work situations, and since following directions and meeting deadlines are hallmarks of being successful in the workplace, CARE applicants and trainees must be able to follow directions and meet deadlines without reminders or extensions. Not following directions and/or missing a deadline will result in the person no longer being under consideration for CARE employment this year.
• Applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 8 (but the sooner, the better)
• Follow-up form (Google Form) must be submitted by Friday, March 13 (but the sooner, the better)
• Interviews must be completed by Thursday, March 19 (but the sooner, the better)
• New hire government paperwork must be completed by Thursday, April 23 (but the sooner, the better)
• Job readiness training part 1 of 2 must be completed by Thursday, May 7 (but the sooner, the better)
• Job readiness training part 2 of 2 must be completed by Thursday, May 21 (but the sooner, the better)
• After attending job readiness training part 2 of 2, trainees will have an email sent to them requesting their top 5 worksites OR their "package deal"
• Trainees will schedule and attend an in-person interview with their potential summer worksite supervisor from May 12 to June 16 (but the sooner, the better)
• CARE community worksite trainee/parent orientation must be completed by Thursday, June 11 (but the sooner, the better)
• The deadline to request a placement contract extension is Monday, June 15
• The signed placement contract deadline is Tuesday, June 16
• First possible date for CARE community worksite trainees to start at their worksites is Sunday, June 21
• Final possible date for CARE community worksite trainees to work at their worksites is Thursday, August 27

#9: Accommodations:

The City of Columbia is committed to providing services, programs, and activities that are accessible to all members of the community, regardless of disability status. For requests for accommodations related to disability for the CARE program, please contact Ron Schmidt at Ron.Schmidt@CoMo.gov or 573.874.6300.

Hours

Part Time Position (<30 hrs)Varies by position