The city of Selma is once again offering youth the opportunity to spend part of their summer working in various departments of the city through the Summer Youth Employment Program.

A total of 110 jobs will be given to participants, which will be selected through a lottery.

“This is a rather longstanding program that has been in effect in the city of Selma for around 20 years,” said Val Jones, personnel director for the city. “It’s a great opportunity for young people aged 15 to 22 years old to gain experience in the world of work.”

Applicants for the program should be between the ages of 15 and 22 and must live in the city limits.

Selma Mayor Darrio Melton said the program is a good starting place for students to get gain experience and become more career ready.

“When students begin to apply for jobs to start their careers, experience is a big part of what employers look for,” Melton said.

“This summer program gives our youth a chance to begin building their resumes and start a future on firm footing.”

Melton said it’s also a good opportunity to introduce the young employees to city government and how it operates.

“We believe this is an important opportunity to introduce young people in our community to the systems of city government and provide valuable experience and opportunities for their futures,” Melton said.

Each member of the city council, the mayor and the council president will choose 11 applicants to participate in the program, totaling 110 participants.

The council members will each draw from applicants in their wards, while the mayor and council president will choose from the city at large.

The program will begin June 13, 2017, and end on July 20, 2017. Those hired will work 16 hours each week for $7.25 per hour.

Jones said applicants will work both within city agencies and in external partnerships, doing things like clerical work, food service, day care and landscaping.

Funding for this program comes from a combination of city appropriations by the city council and community partners.

Applications must be submitted to the City of Selma Personnel Office located on the first floor of City Hall, 222 Broad Street, by April 14 at 4:30 p.m.

Applicants will be chosen by lottery on May 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Convention Center and must be present at the time of the drawing to be chosen.

“Young people bring so much to the table in terms of innovation, creativity and problem-solving,” Melton said. “We do a disservice to our city when we don’t give them opportunities to share their talents. The city has so much to gain through this program and the young people we’ll have the honor of working with.”