INTERNSHIP PROGRAM



High school and college students enjoy the opportunity of working as interns in the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s Office. Three student interns were placed in the Election Department last fall, learning about the many facets of the election voter process and the November Mail Ballot Election. Kimberly Irons, Jillian Moore and Craig Gergen assisted with the audio ballot, HAVA (Help America Vote Act) survey, batch scanning and validation, campaign finance letters and campaign finance reports, processing mail ballots, counting ballots and equipment testing, among other duties. A fourth intern, Dana Rhatigan, was assigned to the Accounting and Motor Vehicle departments. He is a junior at UCCS, majoring in business with an emphasis in accounting. Dana’s goal is to build a career in accounting, moving forward into the management level. He says an internship is such a valuable experience that he would recommend it to any undergraduate student.

Megan O’Sullivan is interning with our Human Resources Department for the 2008 winter quarter. She will develop a Wellness Program for the Clerk & Recorder’s Office, including fitness and nutrition. It also will help employees meet requirements for the County’s Reach Your Peak program.
    
 Jillian Moore and Kim Irons learned the process of a Mail Ballot Election.     
All the interns are enthusiastic and involved, and recognize the future potential of their experience with the Clerk & Recorder’s Office by gaining knowledge that will further their career goals. Craig and Jillian both attend UCCS, majoring in political science. Craig would like to work in public administration; Jillian hopes one day to hold a seat in Congress. Kim, a senior at Falcon High School, would like to run campaigns for a political party or candidates. Megan will graduate from Texas A&M this year where she majors in Human Resource Development, focusing on training. She hopes to work as an HR Generalist for 2-3 years and then obtain a Master’s Degree.

The Clerk & Recorder’s Office will continue to offer the intern program in 2008. Students whose field of study is related to political science, business management, accounting, or public service may find an internship a valuable asset to their educational process. The Primary and General Election will afford interns in the Election Department a firsthand look at the complex voting process.

Interested students should contact Mary Lynn Black at (719) 520-6215 or email marylynnblack@elpasoco.com.

Clerk & Recorder
Robert C. "Bob" Balink
(719) 520-6216
(719) 520-6202
robertbalink@elpasoco.com

Location:
Centennial Hall
200 S. Cascade Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
7:30am - 5:30pm
Monday - Thursday
(except holidays)

Fax Number:
(719) 520-6212