Park Services Intern

Park Services Internship

The Park Services Internship with Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation offers a hands-on learning experience to students pursuing a degree in fields such as sports and recreation management, public administration, parks and recreation management, urban forestry, civil construction, agronomy, and related disciplines. The program allows interns to gain practical skills and insight into local government operations, park management, and community engagement.

Salary: $16.50/hr

Minimum Qualifications:

The internship with Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation is available to qualified individuals currently pursuing a master's or bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:

• Sports and Recreation Management
• Parks and Recreation Management
• Business Management
• Public Administration
• Civil Construction
• Agronomy
• Urban Forestry
• Education
• Other related fields of study

At least one year of experience managing administrative projects or public government-related activities or currently enrolled in a relevant degree program; AND possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.

Core Competencies:

Customer Commitment: Proactively seeks to understand the needs of our customers and provide the highest standards of service.

Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity: Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional, and ethical behaviors that establish trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.

Organizational Excellence: Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.

Success through Teamwork: Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Work Categories/Physical Demands:

Must be able to be in the sun for long periods of time when busy. Must be able to tolerate sun, pollen, dust, grass and the standard environment.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Park Services interns will dedicate 40 hours per week to a combination of work assignments, performance management, structured learning experiences, and professional development activities. This internship program is designed to provide hands-on experience in the field, along with comprehensive support to help the intern grow in their career. Through this internship, the intern will:

• Gain Knowledge and Practical Experience: Work in a local government parks and recreation office under professional supervision, developing an understanding of daily operations and building essential customer service skills while interacting with the public in both office and outdoor settings.
• Develop an Understanding of Department Operations: Learn how the parks and recreation department collaborate with community volunteers, seasonal staff, part-time employees, instructors, and contracted service providers. Gain insight into recreation facility operations, scheduling, and the logistical aspects of maintaining and running community parks.
• Engage in a Variety of Park Services Tasks: Observe and participate in tasks such as providing the community with requested information, evaluating park areas, developing improvement plans, processing facility and park usage requests, updating park plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), marketing programs and events, and assisting with the organization and management of paperwork. Additionally, gain experience in budget analysis for park-related projects.
• Collaborate with Community Organizations: Work alongside local sports organizations to disseminate information to the public and assist in the administration of programs, park improvements, and projects. Build and maintain relationships with community groups and organizations to support and promote recreational activities and events within the local community.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Job Specifications:

Project Management: Knowledge of project management principles, data systems, and the ability to collect and analyze information for reporting, updates, consensus-building, and ensuring adherence to industry standards.

Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with fields related to municipal park systems, including agronomy, landscape architecture, arboriculture, civil construction, engineering, and other practices in park care.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS): Proficient in GIS software for data input, export, updates, and generating reports.

Computer Proficiency: Skilled in using office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and software tools such as Oracle, GIS, landscape design programs, and Publisher.

Writing & Documentation: Experience writing technical specifications, standards, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for park system maintenance and operations.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Must be friendly, approachable, respectful, and eager to learn.

Time Management and Multi-tasking: Strong ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Self-Sufficiency: Capable of following instructions and working independently with minimal supervision.

Parks & Recreation Knowledge: General understanding of Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation programs, policies, and safety procedures.

Safety & Environmental Awareness: Knowledge of applicable departmental and safety policies. Ability to tolerate sun, pollen, dust, grass, and other outdoor environmental factors.

Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze information and develop creative solutions to technical problems, contributing to the overall progress of the organization.

Decision-Making: Skilled in using independent judgment to make decisions, considering technical implications, community impact, budgetary constraints, and demographic factors.

Communication: Professional communication skills to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring project progression and organizational advancement.

Strategic Planning: Ability to think strategically, foresee potential implications, and develop data-driven suggestions for organizational improvements and long-term goals.

Managerial and Operational Skills: Competence in managing projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.

Leadership: Ability to introduce and support new methods, technologies, and procedures that improve operational outcomes.

Analytical Skills: Strong ability to critically evaluate operational decisions and suggest improvements for optimal results.

Managing Complexity: Capable of overseeing multiple complex projects simultaneously, identifying issues, and proposing solutions for better outcomes.