Park Planner 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

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) Internship Program is designed to provide an intern with the opportunity to apply information and skills learned in the classroom to real-life working situations. As an intern for the Park Planning and Development division, you will be introduced to all areas of planning and design for parks including land acquisition programs, plan review, design development, and construction observation. 

The internship is perfect for students majoring in park planning or landscape architecture and can serve as a pathway to future employment. The program will provide the intern with a constructive review and evaluation of their skills and competencies, providing growth opportunities and direction to further 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 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:

• Learn about Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program and the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program.
• Attend Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversite Committee (ESLOC) and Park Advisory Recreation Council (PARC) meetings.
• Become familiar with park-related aspects of the Sarasota County Unified Development Code and 2050 Plan, participate in the permitting plan review process, and attend Development Review Committee meetings.
• Learn about the strategic planning documents including the Parks, Preserves, and Recreation Strategic Master Plan and Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan.
• Contribute to the site analysis and design for in-house park projects.
• Participate in the development and construction of PRNR Capital Improvement Program projects
• Assist with the mapping and calculation of developed areas within Sarasota County parks and preserves.
• Special projects and reports.
• Collaborate with your department colleagues to make and influence real changes.

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: 

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pursuing a degree in the field of park planning, landscape architecture or Urban Planning. 

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, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some departments vary. 
• Pay Range: $15 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on your credit hours earned.