Parks & Recreation Interpretive Program Specialist Intern - Beach and Water Access - R15707

Internship Opportunity

Sarasota County Government is offering an internship opportunity for students interested in gaining hands-on experience in their chosen field and making a difference in their community.

The internship will provide an unsurpassed learning experience and insight into the dynamic world of public sector employment. Interns will develop new skills, gain experience that will enhance their resume, and increase their career options while exploring public service. They will observe and participate in tasks and responsibilities performed daily by skilled professionals, experience workplace culture, office dynamics, and business etiquette.

The internship will include impactful hands-on work within a department, networking, professional development, and building long-lasting connections with other interns, mentors, and Sarasota County team members.

The department responsibilities include planning, developing, implementing, and promoting a range of recreational, cultural/historical, and nature-based recreational programs and services at beaches, water accesses, and parks. Interns will assist with division-wide special events and programs, scheduling and coordination of reservations, contracts, and/or registrations, instructing park visitors and staff on facility and park usage requirements, coordination and oversight of events scheduled within the parks, providing quality customer service, serving as a steward in preserving and protecting the historic, archeological, and environmental resources, drafting permit conditions and stipulations for special events and other permitted activities, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the parks, creating and distributing promotional information for cultural, educational, and recreational programs and events, and performing public relations activities.

The internship program responsibilities include a presentation to the County Administrator and other County Leadership staff at the close of the internship program, participating in all organized intern events and trainings.

The internship includes a competitive wage, hands-on work experience, a professional headshot, 1-1 mentoring with county staff, and professional development events such as Civics 101 & Facility Tour, Own Your Career, Business Etiquette & Professional Networking, Philanthropy & Your Career, Board of County Commission Public Hearing Session, and Speaking for Success.

Minimum qualifications include being at least 18 years old, or age 16 with parental consent, having a high school diploma or equivalent, being eligible to work in the United States, and currently seeking a diploma or degree through an accredited secondary or post-secondary educational program, or within 12 months after graduation.

Preferred qualifications include pursuing a bachelor's degree in recreation, leisure services, education, public administration, business administration, or closely related field.

The 2023 internship program will begin on May 22, 2023, and end on August 11, 2023. Internship hours are 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.

-5:00 p.m.; some departments vary. Pay range is $13 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on your credit hours earned.