Campus Recreation Student Intern

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University is offering a Campus Recreation Leadership Intern position within the Division of Student Affairs. The role supports operations, HR, and student development with two concentration tracks: Recreation & Operations or HR & Student Development.

Responsibilities include staff supervision, recruitment, onboarding, data analysis, and engagement initiatives. The internship emphasizes leadership development and cross‑department collaboration in a campus setting.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management; Human Resources; Labor and Employment Relations; or related field.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a professional environment.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (can obtain at hire).
• Willingness to work evenings or weekends.
• Ability to balance academic and job responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Attend and contribute to staff meetings and trainings.
• Collaborate on departmental assessment and reporting projects.
• Facilitate or co‑facilitate staff development initiatives.
• Complete a capstone project aligned with departmental strategic priorities.
• Engage in cross‑department experiences to build systems‑level understanding.

Skills

Strong communication

Organization

Time management

Independent and collaborative work

CPR/AED and First Aid certification

Education

Pursuing relevant degree

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

Job Description And Position Requirements

Division: Student Affairs - Campus Recreation

Reports To: Assistant Director of Student Development and Assigned Unit Area Supervisor (if applicable)

Pay Rate: $16.00/hour

Hours: 40 hours/week during one academic semester (Summer)

Position Summary

The Campus Recreation Leadership Intern serves as an integral member of the Campus Recreation team, supporting operations, human resources, and student development initiatives in alignment with the department’s mission and Student Development Model. This internship offers two concentration tracks: (1) Recreation & Operations or (2) Human Resources & Student Development. Interns gain hands‑on experience within a complex organizational structure serving 600+ student employees while developing competencies in leadership, assessment, and organizational effectiveness.

Concentration Tracks

Recreation & Operations focus:

• Support day-to-day operations, staff supervision, scheduling, and risk management within assigned unit area(s).
• Participate in facility inspections, audits, and equipment oversight.
• Assist with hiring, training, and development of student employees.
• Coordinate or assist with programs, events, and workshops.
• Collect and analyze participation, staffing, and facility use data.

Human Resources & Student Development Focus:

• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and employee experience initiatives across unit areas.
• Support implementation of the Campus Recreation Student Development Model and leadership curriculum.
• Gather and analyze retention, compliance, and assessment data.
• Contribute to onboarding redesign, recognition programs, and engagement strategies.
• Support staff communications, training compliance, and documentation processes.

Shared Responsibilities (All Interns)

• Attend and contribute to staff meetings and trainings.
• Collaborate on departmental assessment and reporting projects.
• Facilitate or co‑facilitate staff development initiatives.
• Complete a capstone project aligned with departmental strategic priorities.
• Engage in cross‑department experiences to build systems‑level understanding.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate applied leadership, supervision, and project management skills.
• Connect academic theory to professional practice in recreation, park and tourism management and/or human resources.
• Develop assessment and data interpretation competencies.
• Develop transferable skills aligned with NACE Career Readiness competencies.
• Explore intersections of operations, employee experience, and organizational culture.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management; Human Resources; Labor and Employment Relations; or related field.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a professional environment.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (can obtain at hire).
• Willingness to work evenings or weekends.
• Ability to balance academic and job responsibilities.

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Campus Security Crime Statistics

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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