Summary

The City of Asheville invites applicants to the City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (C.A.Y.L.A) 2027!

Since 2007, the C.A.Y.L.A program has been a source of pride for the City and for the students who are selected for each incoming class. Please click here to visit our site and learn more.

This application is open to current local 9th, 10th & 11th graders until January 15th, 2027, at 5:00 PM. Once the application period closes, all applications will be reviewed and all applicants will be offered an interview, which will be held by a panel. After the selections are made, the selected candidates will receive an email and phone call notifying them of their acceptance.

Students selected for C.A.Y.L.A will be expected to work 20 hours a week throughout the summer, attend weekly workshops on Fridays, and participate in C.A.Y.L.A-related programming throughout the school year. Students will be paid through the City of Asheville payroll process and will earn $17.70 an hour. All C.A.Y.L.A students will also be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship upon completion of the program.

Please include two teacher references in your application with the teachers' names, the subjects and grades they teach, as well as their email addresses so we can contact them. You may also include an optional community/professional reference as long as they are not a family member.

Thank you for your interest in the C.A.Y.L.A program!

Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable.

For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com.

About us:

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched by its diversity.

The City’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair treatment in all aspects of recruitment and selection without regard to a person’s age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, genetic information,or disability, except where certain physical and mental requirements are Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ). The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.