Job Description
Parks and Recreation
Process Improvement Intern
JOB DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this internship is to provide an experience specific to the parks and recreation field while building an understanding of public service, analyzing processes, and providing improvement recommendations. Working alongside parks and recreation professionals, the intern will gain knowledge about the division’s organizational structure and management of daily operations at parks and recreation facilities, which includes creating, implementing, and managing programs; running large-scale events; working on special projects; and being part of a fun, creative, and innovative team!
Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation’s mission is Improving Lives through people, parks, and play. In support of that mission, Parks and Recreation offers a variety of parks, trails, pools, recreation centers, classes, trails, ice rinks, and golf courses designed for all sorts of fitness, health, and recreation needs. From indoor recreation to great outdoor adventures-including a historic farm, if you’re looking for activity and/or social connectedness, you’ll find something for everyone.
Applicants should have a strong interest in the division’s mission statement, a basic knowledge of organizational structure and process improvement, and be willing to work directly with patrons in multiple recreation programs. Work is primarily Monday through Friday with flexible hours to accommodate a school schedule; however, some programs and events may take place outside of regular work hours (8 am-5pm). The primary work location will be at one of our 22 recreation facilities, the main Salt Lake County Government Center office or Park Operations facility; however, may also include offsite work for programs, events, audits, or daily maintenance.
Applicants must be currently enrolled or recently graduated from a bachelor OR graduate program.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the work performed by the incumbent(s) in this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific duties and responsibilities will not preclude it from the position. Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Assist in reviewing current methods across multiple programs.
• Assist in preparing operational process improvement recommendations.
• Assist in preparing organizational and change management recommendations.
• Assist Salt Lake County in working to improve outcomes for patrons and residents.
• Participate in professional development programs developed by intern program managers.
• Gather, evaluate, interpret, and share data.
• Assist in planning, promoting, and coordinating youth and adult recreation programs and community events.
• Assist in providing and completing post-program evaluations which include patron feedback, program success and failures, program budget monitoring report, and implementation for future seasons/programs.
• Assist with management of multiple programs at multiple locations simultaneously.
• Attend and participate in job-related committees, sub-committees, and professional development activities.
• Provide an exemplary customer experience.
• Reconcile program and patron complaints and respond to sensitive issues with general guidance from the supervisor.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of social services.
• Consistent demonstration of responsibility and initiative.
• Ability to complete tasks under deadlines while managing multiple projects.
• Motivated, creative, detail-oriented, adaptable, and dependable.
• Team player who also excels as an individual contributor and can work with senior and executive leaders.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience with varied populations
• Students with a focus in parks, recreation, education, sports, tourism management, organizational and change management, and/or communications.
PAY: $15.00/hour
START DATE: The internship begins August 21, 2023, and ends December 31, 2023
TO APPLY:
Required Documents
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two writing samples
• Schedule availability
Optional Samples (in addition to the required documents listed above)
• An annotated bibliography showcasing research capabilities
• A research article showcasing writing capabilities
• A slide deck showcasing presentation capabilities
Including one or more examples from the “optional samples” section is highly encouraged and will help you stand out as an applicant.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office County Government Building 2001 S State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Intern may work at the locations specified above and may have the opportunity for remote work. They will be provided a computer and an email account. Intern may be asked to attend meetings off-site, at other government facilities, in the community, and may participate in program service delivery at client’s home. Intern may be sitting for long periods of time at a computer.
PAID INTERN POSITIONS
• Not merit employees
• Not guaranteed employment following their internships
Additional Information
PAID INTERN POSITIONS:
An “At Will”, FLSA non-exempt employee who is not eligible for County benefits and who must work an average of 29 hours or less per week or an average of 129 hours or less per month.
- Must work an average of 29 hours or less per week or an average of 129 hours or less per month.
- Are not eligible for County benefits except as otherwise provided for by policy.
- Are not considered merit employees.
- Are “at will” employees who may be terminated for any reason, without notice, and without a pre-termination hearing.