Prince George's County Logo
Home Page Home Page icon   Site Questions Questions icon   Contact Us Telephone Icon   Printer Version Printer Icon   Icon: BrowseAloud   
Residents     Business     Visitors     Government     Employment     Online Services     Newsroom  
Prince George's County, MD Prince George's County, MD 

Frequently Asked Questions About the
Public Policy Fellows Program

The Public Policy Fellows Program has been temporarily suspended.

Please continue to visit our site to learn about future opportunities as they become available.


How many Public Policy Fellow positions will be filled?
The Public Policy Fellows Program has been temporarily suspended.
Please continue to visit our site to learn about future opportunities as they become available.

Do we need to fill out a specific application form for the Public Policy Fellows Program?
Yes. The County requires the completion of a County Employment Application along with: a cover letter, resume, official college transcripts (graduate and undergraduate), the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) references (at least one of whom must be a faculty member or an academic advisor), and a one to three page essay detailing career objectives and the benefits that you and the County Government would realize from your participation in this program.

How detailed should my resume be?
The resume should contain sufficient detail so that the reviewers can ascertain educational credentials, work experience both paid and volunteer, extracurricular activities, and any honors or awards.

Will you accept supplemental information after the application is submitted?
Generally, supplemental materials will not be considered beyond the original deadline. If, however, an honor or award is given after the submission deadline, a candidate can forward such an honor or award as information. Given the narrow time allowed for review, the County cannot guarantee that supplemental information will be considered.

Do the transcripts have to be official, certified documents or can they be copies?
Official transcripts certified by the college or university are required.

What if the college or university does not provide the transcript by the deadline?
It is the candidate's responsibility to work with the academic institution to ensure timely submission of the official transcript.

What does "recently graduated" mean for the Fellows candidate?
Candidates must have obtained their degrees within the past three years or will receive their degree before the start date of the program.

Must all degree requirements be met before I apply?
No, the degree requirements must be met by June in the current year of the program.

What about candidates who are interested in mid-career changes?
The Fellows Program is structured for recent graduates who are at the beginning of their career path. We encourage those who have experience and desire a career change to consider applying for vacant positions in the classified service system in the County.

Will receipt of the application be acknowledged?
Yes. Candidates will be notified of receipt of applications by our office.

Where are the Fellows assignments located?
Fellows are placed in various County government locations. At least two of the rotations will be in the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro, the County seat. Other assignments may be in the Largo/Landover area, Hyattsville, or in the headquarters of public safety agencies. For additional information on location of County agencies, please consult the County web site (www.princegeorgescountymd.gov)

What is the decision process for selecting candidates to the Fellows program?
Applications will be screened and rated based upon information supplied in the application package and a standard set of rating factors. The highest rated applicants will then be interviewed via the telephone. An interagency panel will review the results of this process and determine who will be invited for on-site interviews.

If selected for an on-site interview, will the County pay for my travel to the on-site interviews?
The County will pay for lodging expenses for those selected for an on-site interview.  You will be responsible for transportation.

When can I expect to hear about final decisions on the Fellows program?
On-site interviews should take place in April and final decisions will be made shortly thereafter.

What can I expect in terms of differential cost of living in the DC metropolitan area?
In general, the metropolitan area of the District of Columbia can be expensive. Prince George's County offers many affordable rentals and housing options for the interns. For additional information, the prospective applicant may want to browse the Internet relocation and moving sites for comparative costs of living.

Are the Fellows required to live in the County?
Fellows are not required to live in the County, although it may provide the most convenient and affordable location. Living in the area also provides the Fellow with a richer experience in learning about the County and local neighborhoods.

What is the County's location in relation to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland?
Located in the Baltimore Washington corridor, Prince George's County is an easy driving distance, less than an hour, to both Baltimore and Annapolis, the State capital. The County borders the District of Columbia on the west and Montgomery County to the north. The Metro subway system offers easy access to D.C. from a variety of stations in the County.

What professional development activities does the County sponsor for the Fellows?
The program itself will provide considerable on the job experience and allow the Fellows to participate in high-level policy analysis and observe executive decision-making.  In addition, Fellows may attend County training sessions on aspects of local government.

What about job placement opportunities after the end of the Fellows program?
Depending upon the quality of the program experience for the Fellow and the agency, Fellows will receive consideration for permanent placement into vacant County positions. Discussions on available options and application processes will occur in the last quarter of the program year. Previously, Fellows have been hired to work in the Office of the County Executive, the Office of Management and Budget, and other County agencies.

Back to Top