For more information about the John Hudson Internship Program, please email Claudia Vila or call 703-324-5426.
The Fairfax Area Disability Services Board established an internship program for college students and recent college graduates with disabilities. The internship program provides participants with on-the-job experience, professional development, and training opportunities.
The internship program is named in honor of the late John Hudson. During his 15 years with Fairfax County Government, John made immeasurable improvements to enhance the lives of people with disabilities in the Fairfax area. John was the special needs planner in Fairfax County’s Office of Emergency Management. Previously, he directed Disability Services Planning and Development in the county’s Department of Family Services and provided staff support to the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board for over a decade.
Any college student (including law students and graduate students) or recent college graduate who self-identifies as an individual with any type of disability is invited to apply. You will not be required to disclose your specific disability; however, your application for this program will signify that you consider yourself a person with a disability.
The internship program manager is Claudia Vila. Before sending an email, please review the frequently asked questions.
Length of Internship
The internship program lasts 380 hours. The start and end dates are flexible, but interns should plan on starting work in the beginning of June and working until the beginning of August. This is a full-time internship (40 hours/week). Interns should plan on working eight hours a day (with a one-hour lunch break), Monday through Friday. A typical schedule is 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
All completed applications will be reviewed. Applications that are missing components such as letters of recommendation will not be accepted. The most qualified interns will be contacted for interviews. After the interviews are conducted, the top-rated candidate will be selected for the internship. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.
Prior to the start date, the appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a check of the Child Protective Services Registry to the satisfaction of the employer.
Interns will be paid $13.00 per hour.
- Interns are expected to follow the county’s employee personnel regulations and any agency policies, which will be outlined during the internship orientation.
- Interns are expected to observe the office dress code (business casual unless otherwise noted). Please contact your internship supervisor with any questions about the dress code.
- Interns are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner while working at their internship assignment. This includes keeping open lines of communication with their supervisor, being courteous and respectful to colleagues and customers, and completing work assignments by mutually agreed-upon deadlines.
Interns are required to arrange their own means of transportation for getting to and from work. All job locations are accessible via public transportation. Housing is not provided as part of the internship program.
Depending on the interns’ programs of study, they may be eligible to receive college credit for the internship.
Interns are not Fairfax County employees and are neither covered by nor entitled to:
- County’s accrued leave
- Life or health insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Credit for service computation date
**All newly hired interns are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of internship or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-internship onboarding process. New interns who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or religious reasons will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement. Otherwise, vaccinated interns will complete the attestation online in the first day of employment.**
After reviewing eligibility requirements, submit an application package consisting of:
- Internship application*
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Please specify which John Hudson Internship opportunity you are interested in.
The application materials must be submitted to Claudia Vila. Applications are due by Friday, April 14, 2023.
Emergency Management Program Intern
*Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. To request reasonable accommodations or to receive this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-7948 or TTY 711.