Wayfinding & Signage Design Apprentice

Date Opened: Thursday, January 08, 2026 12:00 AMClose Date: Friday, January 30, 2026 12:00 AMDepartment: Aviation DepartmentFunction Apprentice/InternshipsSalary: $0.00 - $0.00 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

Acquires specialized skills under the tutelage of experience journeyman at Charlotte Douglas Internation Airport. Primary responsibilities will involve assisting in the design, layout, fabrication, and printing of materials used in airport signage. This position will allow you to develop and apply basic to advanced graphic design and illustration skills in a professional setting. Perform other general maintenance work incidental to the above duties, or necessary to keep buildings in working order. Additional responsibilities include learning and developing practical skills, participating in classes and workshops on and offsite, observing all health and safety codes, and completing tests an assignments. Exhibits an enthusiasm to learn and an interest in the sector of chosen trade.Apprentice will be required to attend Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and earn an Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Arts & Design.Starting Pay: $24.73

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development of design concepts for public-facing and operational materials.Support the creation of branded visual content across print, digital, and environmental platforms.
• Contribute to wayfinding, signage systems, and spatial layout design within the airport campus.
• Help maintain design standards that align with airport branding and user experience goals.Collaborate with cross-functional teams including communications, planning, and facilities.
• Participate in job shadowing, mentorship, and on-the-job training assignments.
• Present project ideas and receive feedback from mentors and managers.

What You’ll Gain:

• A paid apprenticeship with progressive wage increases.
• Full employee benefits, including health, dental, retirement, and tuition prepayment.
• An Associate's Degree in Graphic Design from CPCC, fully paid by the City. Professional certifications and software training (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling tools).
• Real-world experience in a dynamic and highly visible municipal operation.
• A potential pathway to full-time employment with the City of Charlotte upon successful completion.

Minimum Qualification/Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Acceptance and Candidate must maintain successful enrollment per educational requirements at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC).
• Graphic Design program at CPCC.
• Demonstrated interest in design, art, architecture, or visual communication. Strong interpersonal skills and eagerness to learn.
• Willingness to work in a team-oriented, deadline-driven environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS              

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Spends about 70% of the time standing, bending, reaching, walking and driving. The rest of the time includes a combination of sitting, twisting, keeling, squatting, crawling, lifting, shoveling and carrying. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50lbs. About 5% of time can lift, pull or carry up to 100 lbs a short distance, with another person.
• Works inside and outside. May include exposure to machinery, dust, chemicals, fumes, solvents, moving objects/vehicles, scaffolding, ladders, vibrating tools, excessive noise, large crowds and slippery or uneven surfaces. Uses a variety of electrical and hand tools.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Clickhereto learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.