Parks & Natural Resources Operations Intern

Arlington County VA•Arlington, VA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Arlington County’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking a Parks and Natural Resources Operations Intern. The selected candidate will support a wide range of functions across the Parks and Natural Resources (PNR) Division, including Park Operations and Maintenance, Athletic Field Maintenance, Facilities and Construction, Natural Resources, Forestry, Landscaping, and Urban Agriculture. This position reports directly to the Division Chief of Parks and Natural Resources and involves both office and field-based work. This starts as a one-year, full-time, paid Internship Program, and has the possibility of extension for a second year! Arlington County is an innovative local government in Northern Virginia seeking motivated candidates for one-year internship opportunities across multiple departments. These roles are ideal for recent graduates and current graduate students with limited professional experience who are looking to kickstart their careers. Interns gain hands-on experience supporting key County initiatives while participating in a structured cohort-based development program. Throughout the year, interns work under the mentorship of senior staff, contributing fresh ideas, improving processes, and leveraging technology to enhance organizational effectiveness, all while familiarizing themselves with a public-sector environment.

Requirements

Recent, 2025 and/or 2026 college graduates earning either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in the area of consideration prior to the start date of the Cohort Program (Sept. 2026)
No professional-level work experience (less than one year) in the internship field
Currently enrolled student in a Master’s degree program related to the internship, but must not have significant professional-level work experience in the internship area and must be available to work during designated hours
Sports Management, Parks and Recreation, Management, Urban Agriculture, Forestry, Landscaping, or related fields degree
Possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record
Ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite

Nice To Haves

G.P.A. of 3.0 or above is preferred and applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts
Demonstrated analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to research and interpret technical documentation
Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities with strong organizational, planning, and attention to detail skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences and provide excellent customer service
Self-motivated with a desire to learn, follow best practices, and perform at a high level

Responsibilities

Assisting with QSend and Cartegraph systems to support timely resolution of service requests and reduce open ticket times
Supporting public interaction efforts, including tracking and reporting community service data
Monitoring divisional standards and performing quality control of workflows to ensure consistency, equity, and timely completion of work
Supporting asset management activities and assisting with the management of division software platforms
Coordinating and reporting volunteer program data, including tracking participation and engagement
Assisting the Administration Unit and Division Chief with special projects and assigned duties
Supporting the Urban Agriculture Manager with community gardens, programs, and farmers markets
Collaborating with Park Operations and Maintenance Management to support divisional initiatives
Participating in division meetings and maintaining effective communication across teams