Life at the City of Boston
Learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we grow at the City of Boston.
-
-
1 City Hall Square
Room 612
BOSTON MA, 02201 -
OFFICE HOURSMonday through Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Our Values
Values
Doing the Big and Small
City government is special. We are the level closest to the people, so we must do the big and the small. Every street light, every pothole, every park, every classroom lays the foundation for a better future. We'll tackle our biggest challenges by getting the small things right.
Getting City Hall out of City Hall
We believe the future of our city depends on the success of each individual. Our charge is to see every person and listen. To meet people where they are — by getting City Hall out of City Hall into our neighborhoods, block by block, street by street.
Embracing the possibilities of Boston
When we make City Hall more accessible, we are all raised up. When we communicate in many languages, we all understand more. Boston is constantly changing — sometimes rapidly, and sometimes through persistent effort — but with everyone’s inclusion and participation, we believe, ever for the better.
Diversity and Inclusion
Employee Resource Groups
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are independently organized, led, and governed by City of Boston employees.
These community-driven groups provide support and make an impact in and outside the workplace.
What value do ERGs bring to THE CITY OF BOSTON?
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) build a sense of community and belonging for employees. They connect people in a social and professional way and encourage interaction between employees.
- ERGs empower employees by giving each group a collective voice to speak with decision makers and management. Groups are also empowered to assemble and voice concerns as a community.
- ERGs support learning and development by offering formal and informal leadership opportunities and creating visibility for employees who are active.
- ERGs also provide a resource for leadership and decision makers regarding staff and community issues, needs, and policies.
Active ERGs at the City of Boston
Asian and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group
We're creating space for APIA employees to better get to know each other. We also work to highlight the diverse cultures and experiences of the APIA community, and advocate for APIA needs and concerns.
Bicycle / Active Transportation Group
We partner with the City to promote a culture of healthy and green living, working, and playing. Our group supports active modes of moving around and through Boston. Our mission as an employee resource group is to lead by example.
Black Employee Network
We partner with the City to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our network supports the City's goals of increasing access and building equity in City resources. We offer professional development, networking, and a voice for black employees.
City Hall Book Club
We bring City employees together to explore issues that affect Boston and other urban areas. City Hall Book Club is made up of a diverse group of City employees with many different backgrounds and opinions.
City of Boston ERG for Women
We bring together women across all departments at the City of Boston to discuss topics affecting women, girls, and their families. We promote a culture of diversity and inclusion through learning.
City of Boston Toastmasters
We are the first Toastmasters International chapter formed within a municipal government in Massachusetts. We offer a welcoming, educational, and supportive space for City employees to discover their leadership style and master public speaking.
Latinx Employee Resource Group
We build a supportive and uplifting environment, create networking opportunities, engage in professional development. We also discuss topics that affect our community, advocate for policy changes, volunteer our time, and are in familia with our members.
LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
Our group serves to foster community and networking among the City’s diverse LGBTQ employees. Our goal is to create inclusion and acceptance in the City around LGBTQ experiences and issues.
GND Zero Waste Employee Resource Group
The Green New Deal Zero Waste ERG (ZWERG) brings together city employees who are interested in living a greener, more sustainable, waste-free lifestyle. Our mission is to catalyze internal culture change that will eventually extend beyond City Hall.
Work-Life Well-being
At the City of Boston, we understand that well-being extends beyond physical health. To be our best selves, we need to focus on all aspects of our well-being, including, physical, mental, financial, and social.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a resource for City of Boston employees, their families, and retirees to restore and initiate well-being in work and life.
The EAP offers a safe, supportive, and private environment for those seeking assistance with various personal or work-related challenges that may impact their well-being and job performance. They also provide resources and tools to help employees manage work-related stress, improve time management, and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
It's free, confidential, and available regardless of position or length of employment.
- Stress
- Emotional health
- Family and relationships
- Substance use and misuse
- Workplace concerns
- Financial and legal guidance
- and more!
Work and Life Benefits
Health BENEFITS & INSURANCE
We offer three Non-Medicare health insurance plans for City of Boston employees (excluding seasonal and emergency hires) who regularly work at least 20 or more hours a week. Other providers offer short and long-term disability, optional life insurance, and critical illness coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flex Spending lets you deduct pre-tax money for out-of-pocket medical expenses, dependent care, and transportation.
PAID TIME OFF and HOLIDAYS
We offer paid time off based on your position and years of service with the City. We also offer generous holiday benefits and paid holidays to all full-time employees.
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
Eligible City of Boston employees may be granted up to 12 weeks of compensated time off to care for and bond with a child added to their immediate family.
Fitness reimbursement
Employees enrolled in the Mass General Brigham Health Plan (formerly AllWays Health Partners) or Blue Cross Blue Shield through the City of Boston may be reimbursed up to $150/year towards qualifying fitness activities, products, or services, including active mobility vehicles (bikes, cargo bikes, and scooters), equipment, and maintenance.
DetecTogether Online Learning
As part of the 3 Steps Detect early cancer detection program, City employees and their families have access to a library of micro-courses that will teach you how to detect cancer early and get better overall healthcare.
Burnalong Membership
City employees can create a free account on Burnalong, an online health, wellness, and fitness platform to help you stay motivated, and focus on your well-being.
Learn more about benefits available to City workers and retirees.
More Work-Life Well-Being Resources
At the City of Boston, we understand that well-being extends beyond physical health. To be our best selves, we need to focus on all aspects of our well-being, including, physical, mental, financial, and social.
The Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) City Hall Childcare Program provides nurturing and affordable care to children...
City workers are welcome to join the City of Boston Credit Union. The credit union offers competitive interest rates, club...
Employee Transit Benefits
As we continue exploring new ways to empower our workforce, we remain committed to supporting the Mayor’s vision of a Green New Deal City. This means creating a working environment and culture that supports active and sustainable modes of transportation.
Employee Transit Benefits
The City of Boston offers several employee transit benefits to encourage biking, walking, and taking public transportation to get to work and travel around the city. We're also partnering with the MBTA to study employee transit usage to make better human-centered decisions around employee transportation benefits and opportunities.
MBTA PASSPORT PROGRAM
Through the City of Boston’s MBTA Passport program, the City of Boston will pay for 65% of the monthly MBTA pass of your choice (up to $232) while the remaining cost is deducted from your paycheck. This portion of your pre-tax earnings is not counted toward your taxable income. That means you not only get a discount on your monthly MBTA pass, but you will also save money on your yearly taxes!
Bluebikes Memberships
The City of Boston offers free or discounted Bluebikes memberships to our employees. Bluebikes, Metro Boston's public bike share program, consists of a fleet of specially designed, sturdy, and durable bikes locked into a network of docking stations throughout the city. The bikes can be unlocked from one station and returned to any other station in the system, making them ideal for one-way trips. It’s a fun, affordable, and convenient transportation option for quick trips around town.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTIVE MOBILITY PRODUCTS & SERVICES
If you are enrolled with Mass General Brigham Health Plan (formerly AllWays Health Partners) or Blue Cross Blue Shield through the City of Boston, your health care plan may reimburse you up to $150/year towards qualifying fitness activities, products, or services, including active mobility vehicles (bikes, cargo bikes, and scooters), equipment, and maintenance!
LEARN MORE:- Blue Cross Blue Shield Info Sheet
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan Info Sheet
Learning and Development
Educational Advancement Opportunities
COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADS SCHOLARSHIP
If you have already earned your associate degree from one of six participating Massachusetts Community Colleges, you may be able to earn a scholarship to attend and receive a bachelor’s degree from Boston University.
UNION TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS
According to your Collective Bargaining Agreement, you may be eligible for tuition reimbursement through your union.
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The City partners with Boston University and Northeastern University in providing a limited number of full-tuition scholarships to qualifying City of Boston employees pursuing graduate degrees or certificates each year.
“A graduate program was the only way for me to achieve the credentials required to become a licensed social worker, but it is time-consuming and expensive. I truly appreciate the City's willingness to invest in me.”
—CAROL HOUGHTALING, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTEmployee Training Programs
New Hire Orientation
The virtual, four-hour program is held over two days each month. New hires are enrolled within their first month at the City. During the program, employees:
- meet their new hire “class"
- hear from City leadership, and
- explore their health benefits, retirement options, the EAP, and the City’s Diversity and Inclusion work.
Leadership Summit
During this collaborative, three-day, virtual experience, City of Boston managers and supervisors:
- explore traits of successful leaders
- build crucial leadership and communication skills, and
- chart their course for leading the City's workforce.
Technology Training
Our Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) team creates and provides online and in-person group and one-on-one training for City of Boston employees and teams. Free classes are available in:
- project management
- Microsoft Office
- the Google Suite, and
- much more.
Early Careers
You’re looking to make an impact while developing your career. We’re looking for the next generation of City leaders to build Boston’s future.
WHY SHOULD YOU START YOUR CAREER AT THE CITY?
- You want meaningful and challenging work.
- You want to make a difference in the communities where we work, live, and play.
- You want to learn from colleagues who inspire and believe in you.
- You want to join people from different cultures and backgrounds brought together to effect positive change.
Early Career Opportunities
Internships
Internships are most often offered to students, and sometimes new graduates, to experience a professional work environment. Internships provide hands-on work responsibilities and opportunities to learn more about roles and career paths at the City of Boston.
Fellowships
A fellowship is a training and research opportunity that provides professional development to research or study a subject area. Candidates for fellowships are often graduate or post-graduate students, but may be at any stage of their career.
Youth Summer Jobs
The City’s SuccessLink Employment program offers a variety of youth and young adult summer jobs at nonprofits, community-based organizations, and City agencies. Youth workers are paid hourly and participate in professional development programming throughout the summer.
We're Hiring!
-
-
1 City Hall Square
Room 612
BOSTON MA, 02201 -
OFFICE HOURSMonday through Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
