Sports Tourism, Facilities, & Programs Intern - On-Site Summer 2026 Internship

Intern Sarasota County is proud to be #VaultRanked as one of the Top 150 Internships for 2026!

Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

About Our Job

The Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) Internship Program is designed to provide an intern with the opportunity to apply information and skills obtained in the classroom to real-life working situations. The intern will specifically be introduced to aspects related to business operations and sports tourism. 

The internship offers the opportunity to gain experience in the Sports Tourism, Facilities, & Programs Division.

Other learning experiences can be developed in relation to the intern’s interest and area of study within the field of parks, recreation and natural resources. The program will provide the intern with a constructive review and evaluation of their skills and competencies, offering growth opportunities and guidance to further their professional and educational development.

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 is 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:

Support Sports Tourism Activities & Initiatives

• Tour and learn about Sarasota County’s sports tourism facilities, including MLB stadiums, Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota BMX, Selby Aquatic Center, Siesta Beach, and athletic parks.
• Observe and participate in meetings with Visit Sarasota County sports staff, event rights holders and facility operators.
• Assist in the planning and preparation of major sports tourism events such as the US Rowing Youth National Championship.
• Maintain the Sports Tourism Events calendar on the PRNR website using RecTrac software.
• Research and compile examples of best practices of a variety of focus areas within sports facility operations; to be considered for future 17th St. Regional Park & Wellfield Regional Park.
• Assist with hurricane season preparation processes for major sports facilities.
• Research and assist with the development of a PRNR-owned sports event or program, such as a pickleball tournament.
• Ensures compliance with all policies, guidelines, procedures, Federal/State regulations and standards.
• Provide on-site support during events, including Ambassador check-in and instruction, manning the Ambassador Tent, representing the PRNR department, and general assistance to the event organizer and/or facility operator as needed.
• Compile Ambassador Tent information for each major event, including schedules, maps, list of vendors, participation lists, brackets, destination information, etc.
• Assist with assessing major upcoming events and identifying a list of Ambassador roles for each event. 
• All other types of work necessary to support sports tourism goals.

​

Support Facility Operations and Program Coordination

• Assists with coordinating the operation of the County’s park facilities, including gymnasium, athletic fields & courts, and/or other facilities; performs customer service, office and/or cashier function; opens/closes park or other facilities; unlocks/locks doors and turns lights on/off; monitors facilities and amenities; records/calculates visitor counts and daily usage of facilities, explains facility procedures, rules, and regulations to visitors; reports problems to supervisor or necessary law enforcement
• Ensure the cleanliness of the County’s park facilities, including gymnasium, athletic fields & courts, offices, and/or other facilities; clean and/or vacuum; dust fixtures and furniture; clean counters; empty trash; freshen bathrooms; stock supplies; maintains grounds; sweeps and blows debris; cleans windows.
• Conducts facility inspections to identify and report maintenance needs. Assists maintenance staff with field preparation, turf care, line painting, and equipment setup. Respond to emergency maintenance situations as needed.
• Gain a broad understanding of the processes and tools used to manage park reservations throughout the PRNR department.
• Assist with processing reservations, answering questions, and general customer service.
• Complete general maintenance tasks within RecTrac reservation software, including account merging, document review, and retention.

Internship Program Responsibilities:

• A presentation to the County Administrator and other County Leadership staff is required at the close of the internship program on Friday, August 7, 2026.
• Participate in all organized intern events and trainings.

Your Internship Includes: 

• In-person, on-site work!
• 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
• Opportunity to job shadow in other departments

Location: Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota

Learn more about the internship program at: scgov.net/intern

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ages 16-17 with parental consent, or 18 and above.
• Eligible to work in the United States – we love local, national, and international students!
• Active, enrolled student.
• Include cover letter, resume and transcript (documenting 2.8 GPA or higher) with application for internship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Recreation, or Leisure Service, or a closely related field.

About Everything Else

• Program Dates: The 2026 internship program will begin on May 18, 2026 and end on August 7, 2026.  
• Internship Hours: 40 hours/week. Most time will be Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with some evening or weekend times based on events.
• Pay Range: $15 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on your credit hours earned.