Department:

Parks Recreation & Natural Resources

About Our Job

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) internships provide an intern with the opportunity to apply information and skills obtained in the classroom to real-life working situations. The intern will be introduced to all of the aspect of managing publicly held conservation lands.

The internship also offers the opportunity to gain additional experience in resource management, passive recreation and public interaction, operations and maintenance functions and assist with maintaining standards of accreditation. Additionally, other learning experiences can be developed in relation to intern’s interest and area of study within the field of parks, recreation and natural resources.

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 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:

• Visit, observe and participate in different areas of Natural Areas and Trail’s facilities, programs and operations.
• Utilize skills and education to enhance natural habitats and customer experiences in Sarasota County.
• Natural areas management including protected species monitoring, habitat restoration, documentation of nuisance species,
• nuisance vegetation management (either self, through team work days, with volunteers, Sheriff’s Work Offender Program
• teams or contractual), and implementation of nuisance and feral animal control
• Document, monitor, and treat exotic plant occurrences on county owned and/or managed lands.
• Learn and practice Core, Natural Areas and Aquatics pesticide applicator basics.
• Work in Maximo to submit appropriate service requests for integrated pest management activities
• Assist Emergency Services with planning, organizing, preparing and conducting prescribed burns under the direction
• of the Fire Mitigation Specialist and Manager
• Assist in the implementation/oversight of resource management projects to be performed by an outside contractor
• and/or internal work units.
• Ensures compliance to all policies, guidelines, procedures, Federal/State regulations and standards.
• All other types of work necessary to lead and/or support land management goals.
• Collaborate with your department colleagues to make and influence real changes.

Internship Program Responsibilities:

• Final internship experience report to be presented to PRNR Management Team prior to completion of internship.
• A presentation to the County Administrator and other County Leadership staff is required at the close of the internship program.
• Participate in all organized intern events and trainings.

Your Internship Includes: 

• 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

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver's license at time of hire.
• At least 18 years old, or age 16 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 student, or graduated August 2023 or later.
• Include cover letter, resume and transcript (documenting 2.8 GPA or higher) with application for internship.

About Everything Else

• Program Dates: The 2024 internship program will begin on May 20, 2024 and end on August 9, 2024. 
• Internship Hours: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some departments vary. 
• Pay Range: $13 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)

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 experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different and are committed to creating a culture of understanding and respect where our employees realize that we are stronger together. 

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. 

Sarasota County Government promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, genetic information, religion, national origin, marital status, age or disability. 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.

Government employers are drug-free and tobacco-free environments, EEO/AA/ADA employers, and they prohibit discrimination in all services, programs or activities.

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.