ILR High Road New York
Department of Design and Construction (DDC) 
Office of Diversity and Industry Relations (ODIR)

ILR High Road New York is a statewide program that aims to teach ILR students practical methods for civic engagement and leadership through economic justice, evidence-based policy, and strategic development that creates opportunity for community members to share in prosperity.  The Summer 2024 New York City (NYC) High Road Fellowship Program will run from June 4th to July 26th.  Students intern in person with various NYC partner organizations and will participate in weekly cohort workshops focused on critical reflection and peer-to-peer collaboration and networking and learning opportunities with guest speakers will be offered at ILR's NYC office on Lexington Avenue. All interns will be paid and need-based subsidized housing will be available. 

The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is seeking candidates for an internship working in the Office of Diversity and Industry Relations (ODIR). The intern would work closely with ODIR staff to support and coordinate with various activities for the July event, including the day of the event.  As part of this work, the intern would research and develop an evaluation model for the event to be administered after the event, which would generate information for a future planned event in other boroughs of the city.

ODIR will be planning, hosting, and evaluating its initial Construction Career Resources Fair in the Summer of 2024.  In the construction industry, there are many jobs that go unfilled simply due to the lack of awareness of the construction industry. Many of these well-paying jobs do not require more than a high school level education, which make the industry ripe to contribute to economic advancement and equity, while the projects they work on contribute to the overall economic and civic success of the city. Community engagement is key to increasing awareness of opportunities in the local construction industry and connecting them with job opportunity resources Our career fair event aims at connecting people with construction industry jobs and training resources.

The intern would work closely with ODIR staff to support and coordinate with various activities for the event, including the day of the event. 

Specific tasks for the intern will include:

• Research and design two evaluations for the Career Fair.  Review the evaluation responses from both exhibitors and job seekers and develop a summary report. The feedback would be used to better plan and execute future fairs. The evaluation should query needs of the job seekers that’s not being met. The evaluation should also query the type of workforce development partnerships the exhibitors would like to see between DDC and community stakeholders in the future.

• Assist in updating relevant databases. 

• Market research, data collection & analysis.

As the City's primary capital construction project manager, the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) builds many of the civic facilities New Yorkers use every day. They provide communities with new or renovated structures such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, courthouses, senior centers and more. To successfully manage our portfolio, we collaborate with other City agencies, as well as with emerging and world-renowned architects and consultants. In addition, NYC DDC delivers roadway, sewer, and water main construction projects in all five boroughs. We provide sidewalks, street reconstruction, water mains, sewers, and pedestrian ramps—quality infrastructure that is essential for a healthy, resilient city.

The Office of Diversity and Industry Relations (ODIR) at DDC, with 13 employees develops, implements, and monitors policies, procedures, and programs that promote and support compliance with the M/WBE Program under New York City Local Laws 1 and 129. ODIR provides comprehensive assistance and guidance to the various contracting units and program divisions to assist prime vendors in meeting the agreed upon M/WBE utilization goal and serves as the primary point of contact for the agency’s industry partners. 

ODIR’s Business and Workforce Development Unit creates capacity building opportunities for M/WBEs and small business. Its programs and initiatives provide access to guidance, one-on-one assistance, and information. They work to increase entry-level job opportunities in the construction industry for women and minorities from underrepresented communities. Their programs aim to address barriers into City work and invest in local residents.