Parks & Recreation Specialist Intern - On-Site Summer 2026 Internship

Intern Sarasota County is proud to be #VaultRanked as one of the Top 150 Internships for 2026! Department: Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

About:

Our Job This professional internship supports the implementation of parks and recreation programs, events, camps, and special projects. The position assists in delivering high quality, sustainable, and engaging recreational programming to the community while gaining hands-on

experience:

with key agency concepts and industry standards. 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:

• Assist with the planning, development, implementation and promotion for a range of recreational, cultural/historical, and nature-based recreational programs and services at beaches, water accesses and parks.
• Support division-wide special events and programs.
• Assist with the scheduling and coordination of reservations, contracts and registrations with groups, individuals, agencies, and other organizations using reservation software.
• Provide guidance to park visitors and staff on facility and park usage

requirements:

, ensuring compliance with reservation agreements.

• Assist with the coordination and oversight of events scheduled within the parks.
• Deliver quality customer service and act as a steward of historic, archeological, and environmental resources in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Draft permit conditions and stipulations for special events and other permitted activities.

• Support day-to-day park operations, including but not limited to natural resource management, operations, maintenance, janitorial services, events coordination and administrative functions.
• Assist with the creation and distribution of promotional material for cultural,

education:

al, and recreational programs and events.

• Provide updates for websites and other communication channels as necessary.
• Participate in public relations activities to promote programs and services.

Complete a term internship project/assignment as defined by Parks and Recreations Supervisor. Work toward completion throughout the term of this position and deliver final presentation of findings to Beaches and Water Access staff at the conclusion of the program.

• 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 7, 2026.

• 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

Opportunity:

to job shadow in other departments Location: 133 West Bay Street, Osprey Learn more

about:

the internship program at: scgov.net/intern

About:

You Minimum

Qualifications:

Ages 16-17 with parental consent, or 18 and above. Eligible to work in the United States – we love local, national, and international students! Active, enrolled student. Successful passing Level II fingerprinting.

Preferred Qualifications:

Working towards a bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university in recreation, leisure services,

education:

, public administration, environmental studies, or closely related field. 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 2026 internship program will begin on May 18, 2026 and end on August 7, 2026. Internship Hours: 40 hours/week. Most time will be Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with some evening or weekend times based on events. Pay Range: $15 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on your credit hours earned.

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. You will need to present the following items on your first day: 1.

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.) 2.

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. A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team. We celebrate and value the

experience:

s, 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. Do you like leaving things better than you found them? We serve the greater good! Our team is here to make Sarasota the premier community to live, work and play! Sarasota has 37 miles of award-winning beaches, over 80 parks and 100 golf courses, and is known as the cultural capital of Florida with museums of art, theaters, an aquarium, botanical gardens and the annual international film festival.

Unsurpassed beauty, rich cultural offering, diverse

education:

al opportunities, wide-ranging recreational possibilities make Sarasota a great place to live and work! We believe in work-life balance with a generous leave plan. “US News & World Report: Sarasota is No. 1 in Florida and No. 18 in the country for best place to live.” We need YOU to help create wonderful

experience:

s for residents and vacationing guests enjoying Sarasota! Apply today!