Pooled Temp (Park Services Intern)

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners • Orient Park, FL

9h • Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a master’s or bachelor’s degree in Sports and Recreation Management, Parks and Recreation Management, Business Management, Public Administration, Civil Construction, Agronomy, Urban Forestry, Education, or 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.
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• 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.
• Familiarity with fields related to municipal park systems, including agronomy, landscape architecture, arboriculture, civil construction, engineering, and other practices in park care.
• Proficient in GIS software for data input, export, updates, and generating reports.
• Skilled in using office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and software tools such as Oracle, GIS, landscape design programs, and Publisher.
• Experience writing technical specifications, standards, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for park system maintenance and operations.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Capable of following instructions and working independently with minimal supervision.
• General understanding of Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation programs, policies, and safety procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable departmental and safety policies.
• Ability to tolerate sun, pollen, dust, grass, and other outdoor environmental factors.
• Ability to analyze information and develop creative solutions to technical problems, contributing to the overall progress of the organization.
• Skilled in using independent judgment to make decisions, considering technical implications, community impact, budgetary constraints, and demographic factors.
• Professional communication skills to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring project progression and organizational advancement.
• Ability to think strategically, foresee potential implications, and develop data-driven suggestions for organizational improvements and long-term goals.
• Competence in managing projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to introduce and support new methods, technologies, and procedures that improve operational outcomes.
• Strong ability to critically evaluate operational decisions and suggest improvements for optimal results.
• Capable of overseeing multiple complex projects simultaneously, identifying issues, and proposing solutions for better outcomes.

Responsibilities

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees