Job Information
Sarasota County Government Recreation Special Projects Intern - On-Site Summer Internship in Sarasota, Florida
Department:
Parks Recreation & Natural ResourcesAbout Our Job
Looking for a fun and exciting internship? The Recreation and Neighborhood Parks (RNP) division of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources department has an incredible opportunity for students majoring in recreation, education, or nonprofit management. This internship offers comprehensive experience in the recreation field through involvement in planning, reporting, and implementing programs and events. This intern will play a key role in organizing the annual Back-to-School Resource Fair, assist with reporting and coordinating activities for the reading program, and help plan Therapeutic Recreation programs for the upcoming year. Additionally, they will have the chance to collaborate with other divisions within Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, gaining valuable exposure to the broader scope of recreation services.
Interns will develop essential skills in program and event management, customer service, teamwork, problem-solving, written communication, project management, and critical thinking.
Job Description:
Are you interested in getting hands-on experience in your chosen field? Do you want to make a difference in your community?
Intern Sarasota County is dedicated to providing students with an unsurpassed learning experience and insight into the dynamic world of public sector employment.
Develop new skills you can apply in the workplace . Gain skills that will enhance your resume and increase your career options while exploring public service! Observe and participate in tasks and responsibilities performed daily by skilled professionals. Experience workplace culture, office dynamics, and business etiquette.
Your 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.
Department Responsibilities:
Display leadership ability in planning and directing recreational activities while assisting with the planning process and/or implementation of youth, adult, senior, adaptive, and family programming for the Recreation and Neighborhood Parks division.
Provide a high level of customer service to participants.
Participate in the planning committee for Back to School Resource Fair.
Prepare weekly reports and other documents such as activity and statistical reports for the Summer Reading Program. Assist with planning and implementation of activities for campers as part of the Suncoast Summer Reading Program.
Attend meetings that include division staff meetings, staff training and department meetings.
Work with the Therapeutic Recreation(T-REC) / Parks ADA Coordinator to understand the T-REC operations and assist with planning and implementation of programs, documentation, and evaluation.
Support administrative tasks of special projects and reports.
Collaborate with your department colleagues to make and influence real changes.
Internship Program Responsibilities:
A presentation to the County Administrator and other County Leadership staff is required at the close of the internship program on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Participate in all organized intern events and trainings.
Your Internship Includes:
In-person, on-site work!
Competitive wage
Hands-on work experience
Professional headshot
1-1 mentoring with county staff
Professional Development Events:
Civics 101 & Facility Tour
Own Your Career
Business Etiquette & Professional Networking
Philanthropy & Your Career
Board of County Commission Public Hearing Session
Speaking for Success
Learn more about the internship program at: scgov.net/intern (https://www.scgov.net/government/internships)
About You
Minimum Qualifications:
At least 18 years old, or age 16-17 with parental consent.
High school diploma, or equivalent (if applicable).
Eligible to work in the United States – we love local, national, and international students!
Active, enrolled student.
Preferred Qualifications:
Recreation programming experience
Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five (5) years.
About Everything Else
Program Dates: The 2025 internship program will begin on May 19, 2025 and end on August 8, 2025.
Internship Hours: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some departments vary. In-person, on-site at our various locations in Sarasota County.
Location: [insert primary work location address]
Pay Range: $13 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on your credit hours earned. Returning interns earn an additional $0.50/hour, up to $1.00 for those returning for the third year.
Employee Type:Seasonal (Fixed Term) (Seasonal)
Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).
If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents (http://www.scgov.net/home/showpublisheddocument/66596/638617478290291353) . You will need to present the following items on your first day:
- I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
- If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)
U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)
Benefits:
Employee benefits and Florida Retirement System contributions are not available for seasonal and temporary positions. Positions marked Full Time and Regular (Budgeted) are eligible for benefits, for more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net (https://www.scgov.net/government/human-resources/employee-health-and-benefits) .
A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.
We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.
Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.
A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).
Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.