Community & Parks Services Intern

Under general supervision of the Cultural & Community Services Assistant Director or their designee, the Cultural & Community Services Intern provides support to the Community Services Manager, Recreation Manager, and Parks Superintendent in the areas of department image, community relations, market research, recreational programming, customer service systems, events, and park operations. The position is designed as a learning opportunity that offers practical experience in municipal parks and recreation administration while delivering project-based and day-to-day support.

Interns may be placed in a specific division or may assist various divisions within the department. Divisions include community and customer service, recreation, athletics, events, and parks. Placements are based on experience, school courses, and interest.

This is a non-management internship position designed to provide supervised, project-based experience in parks and recreation administration and operations. The position is not designated as essential personnel but may be scheduled to support key programs and events, including some evenings and weekends, as operational needs require.

This is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent may be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Duties are meant to be department specific.

• Assists with community outreach and marketing efforts that enhance the department’s image, including flyers, outreach events, and customer feedback collection.
• Supports recreational programming for all ages (0–99) by helping with research, planning, scheduling, set-up, registration, and basic on-site event assistance.
• Conducts basic market research (surveys, data collection, benchmarking) to help identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in programs, services, and park systems.
• Assists with automation and optimization of customer service and registration systems (e.g., online forms, workflows, and standard responses) to improve resident and visitor experience.
• Assists with the preparation, management, and execution of recreation programming including but not limited to set up, attendance, and supporting activity curriculums.
• Provides logistical and administrative support for special events, facility and park operations, and rentals, including checklists, vendor coordination support, and documentation.
• Assists with maintaining simple tracking spreadsheets and reports related to participation, revenues, customer feedback, and park/facility use.
• Provides courteous front-line customer service in person, by phone, and via email, answering general questions and referring customers to appropriate staff.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse groups including staff, residents, and supervisors. Ability to communicate in a professional, friendly and tactful manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, government officials, representatives of other agencies, and the general public.
• Knowledge of personal computers, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), online registration systems, and online forms/survey tools.
• Knowledge of basic principles of parks, recreation, community programming, and customer service.
• Skilled in providing courteous, patient, customer service to residents and visitors of all ages.
• Skilled in conducting simple research, data collection, and summarization using clear and concise reports and analyses.
• Skilled in assisting with event logistics, marketing materials, and program support tasks.
• Ability to learn new department systems, processes, and software quickly under supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple supervisors and teams while managing time and priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in office, community facility, and outdoor park/event environments.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by programs, events, and operational needs.

• Current enrollment in, or recent…