GRow1000 Youth Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I’m interested in participating in GRow1000 Youth Employment over the summer. How do I apply?
The application for GRow1000 is located on our website at GRow1000 Youth Employment Program along with other relevant information for both applicants and employers.
What are the requirements for participating in the GRow1000 Program?
Program Requirements:
- Must be between 15 and 24 years of age by June 10, 2024.
- Complete an application and all necessary onboarding preemployment paperwork prior to being matched.
- Attend 1 Pre-Employment Training session prior to work assignment.
- Attend weekly professional development sessions each Friday during the 6-week program.
After I complete my application, how will I access my pre-employment paperwork?
All pre-employment paperwork will be emailed to you via our NeoGov onboarding system. Once your account is set up, we will send an email from info@neogov.com. If you do not receive this email, please look in your spam email. If you still do not see an email, please call Human Resources at 616-456-3176. This email will include a link to activate your account. Please activate your link as soon as possible to prevent deactivation. Once your account is active, you will be able to access your new hire paperwork.
How do I complete my pre-employment paperwork?
Once your NeoGov account is activated, please log into your account and complete the new hire paperwork tasks that have been assigned to you.
Tips for completing your paperwork:
- Be sure to use the name and contact information of the GRow1000 participant.
- Double-check all documents for accurate information before submitting (especially the I-9, W4’s, and Direct Deposit forms).
- Refer to the form tutorial videos on the NeoGov portal.
City of Grand Rapids Human Resources and Our Community’s Children is also hosting in-person Onboarding Paperwork Help on the following dates:
- Monday April 22nd – 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (City Commission Chambers)
- Wednesday May 1st – 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (City Commission Chambers)
Our Community’s Children, along with participating GRow1000 Employers, will host two Meet-and-Greet style “GRowcase” events during these dates/times to encourage youth to meet with potential employers and learn more about different work opportunities during GRow1000.
What employment documents will I need to participate in the program?
- A completed I-9 form – You will need one (1) document from List A (Example: Passport) OR one (1) document from List B (Example: Driver’s License, School ID w/ Photograph) AND one (1) document from List C (Example: Social Security Card, Birth Certificate). A list of all acceptable documents can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptabledocuments.
- Work Permit - you will complete the Work Permit task in NeoGov and attach a copy of your Student ID. Note: You must bring your I-9 documents to the Human Resources Office located in the City of Grand Rapids, City Hall on the 8th floor at: 300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 prior to starting the program. These tasks must be completed prior to starting the program.
Once I have completed all required paperwork, how will I be matched?
Once your onboarding pre-employment paperwork is complete, you will receive an email from Our Community’s Children staff with your employer matching preference sheet. All participants will need to complete the matching paperwork to determine placement within the GRow1000 program. If you do not complete your matching document, an OCC staff member will place participants based on information provided from their application. Once placement has been determined, participants will be notified with their program employers contact information as well next steps to have a successful start to the program.
Our Community’s Children staff is committed to creating successful and meaningful work assignments for all youth. However, we cannot guarantee matching request can be accommodated during the program.
Matching will be completed by mid-May 2024.
Can I request a change from the employer I was matched with?
All GRow1000 Employee/Employer matched work assignments should be honored once assigned by OCC staff. Only in the case of an emergency or where additional accommodation is necessary will replacements be considered. Replacement matching opportunities will not be considered after week 1 of the program.
What are the dates of the Mandatory Pre-Employment Orientation Training?
All GRow1000 Participants must attend 1 of the following Pre-Employment Orientation Training Session dates:
- Tuesday May 28th – 4pm-6:30pm (GRPL Ryerson Auditorium)
- Wednesday May 29th – 4pm-6:30pm (City Commission Chambers)
- Thursday May 30th – 4pm-6:30pm (City Commission Chambers)
- Monday June 3rd – 4pm-6:30pm (City Commission Chambers)
*All Pre-Employment Orientation Training sessions are by invite only! Participants will receive an invite from OCC staff prior to their specific orientation date and should not plan to attend an orientation session without confirmation or an invite from OCC staff.
What are the dates of the program and how many hours can I work per week?
The first day employees will report to work is Monday, June 10th.The last day employees will report to work is Friday, July 19th.
GRow1000 End-of-Program Celebration will also be held on Friday, July 19th. GRow1000 employees are allowed to work a total of 17 hours with their employer per week. Employees are also required to attend weekly professional development with Our Community’s Children staff every Friday for six weeks of the program for 3 hours. Employees can be paid for a total of 20 per week including the GRow Further Friday professional development.
What are GRow Further Fridays and must I attend each week?
The GRow1000 Program will continue to institute a series of weekly training seminars each Friday throughout the length of the program called GRow Further Fridays. Each session is designed to teach youth participants professional development topics such as Dressing for Success, Public Speaking and Financial Literacy. Also during this time, employees will receive help with completing timesheets, completing program surveys, and providing feedback regarding their work experiences. All employees must attend the weekly GRow Further Friday sessions to claim 3 hours of work. All GRow1000 employers will be made aware of this requirement and will not schedule their youth during these Friday sessions.
Two sessions of GFF will be scheduled using the following structure:
- Ages 18-24: 8:30 AM – 11 AM
- Ages 15-17: 11:30 AM – 2 PM
Each session will allow for a 30-minute follow-up period to ask questions and/or speak with their mentor if they selected one.
Can I request a GRow1000 Mentor and what does a Mentor do?
For any GRow1000 employee who wishes to have a mentor, please make sure to indicate this request on your employment application. Any employee who wishes to have a mentor will be assigned one before the start of the program. If under the age of 18 you must receive parental consent. A consent form will be email to your parent/guardian. GRow1000 Mentors provide additional weekly assistance to employees helping to field questions and providing support related to timesheets, scheduling, and any general issues in the workplace.
How do I fill out a timesheet and how often do I need to submit a
timesheet in order to get paid?
All employees are required to complete their timesheet every week by Friday at 5 p.m. The electronic timesheet will be available to youth prior to the start of the program. The timesheet is a two-page verification that confirms the employee’s name, work location, work week and amount of hours worked.
Note: All GRow1000 employers are also required to complete a timesheet for each employee who completes weekly hours. Employee hours will also be verified to match what is reported by employers. Any timesheets submitted past the weekly deadline may delay youth from receiving their next paycheck. If employees report any incorrect or unapproved hours over the 20 total weekly hours this may also result in a delay with their paycheck.
How will I receive my paycheck and how often will I be paid?
Youth will be paid by the City of Grand Rapids via direct deposit unless they do not have a bank account. In such case, they can pick up their check from the Human Resources Dept. at Grand Rapids City Hall, 8th floor or have it mailed to their address. For 2024, all GRow1000 youth participants will be paid $13/hour.
The following pay schedule is that of all City employees who are paid every two weeks:
Work Weeks 1 & 2
• Sunday, June 9 - Saturday, June 22, 2024
• Pay Date: Tuesday, July 2nd
Work Weeks 3 & 4
• Sunday, June 23 - Saturday, July 6, 2024
• Pay Date: Tuesday, July 16th
Work Weeks 5 & 6
• Sunday, July 7 - Saturday, July 20, 2024
• Pay Date: Tuesday July 30th
How can I get a bus pass?
Bus passes are available in the Human Resources Office. Please contact Human Resources for more information at 616-456-3176. Our Community’s Children will also have bus passes available during Preemployment Orientation Training Sessions and during weekly GRow Further Friday professional development sessions.
How do I request a disability accommodation for my work
assignment?
Please contact City of Grand Rapids Human Resources. Our Community’s Children will ensure that an accommodation can be made for a successful experience.
What if I need to update my address or my contact information?
If you need to update your address or contact information, please reach out to Human Resources immediately at 616-456-3176.