Recreation Intern

Centerplacespokanevalley; Spokane Valley (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Internship offers hands-on experience applying classroom skills to real-world workloads. The 40-hour work week runs 11 weeks during Spring/Summer under the Recreation Coordinator, with opportunities to gain exposure to event planning, program development, and public communications.

Selected interns assist with events, registrations, budgeting, and marketing while interacting with staff, volunteers, and community members in a collaborative city department

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in college/university and receive course credits for an internship.
• Knowledge of recreation or physical education is desirable.
• Must be able to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute special events and programs.
• Provide internal and external customer service.
• Assist with program registration and budgeting activities.
• Market and promote events and programs; communicate with staff and the public.

Skills

Event coordination

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Education

College enrollment with sophomore standing or above

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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ABOUT THE CITY:

Spokane Valley is a city with a population of over 110,000 located on the eastern border of Washington State in the heart of the Inland Northwest. We pride ourselves on quality neighborhoods and schools, as well as strong business and retail centers. Friendly people, natural surroundings, and beautiful weather are part of what make our community a favorite destination.

ABOUT THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT:

The Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department provides residents and visitors with over 343 acres of unique parks and open areas, a variety of quality recreation programs, community events, CenterPlace Regional Event Center, a Senior Center, and three outdoor pools operated seasonally. The department strives to support strong community values and improve livability by providing and promoting quality recreation areas, programs, and facilities.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

We are a small, hard-working team in the business of building better lives through the power of parks and recreation. The goal of the Internship position is to provide an opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to real-world work situations. The internship is designed to offer a wide range of professional development experiences in the field of Parks and Recreation. The Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Internship is a 40 hour a week position that begins as soon as the student is available in the Spring/Summer and will continue for 12-13 weeks (which may include weekends and evenings). This position reports directly to the Recreation Coordinator.

SELECTED EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Planning, coordinating, and executing special events and programs
• Internal and external customer service
• Program registration and budgeting
• Marketing and promotions of events and programs
• Communication with professionals and the public through meetings, email, and phone conversations

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience:

Must be enrolled in college/university with sophomore standing or above and receive course credits for an internship position as part of graduation requirements. Knowledge of recreation and/or physical education is highly desired. Have current First Aid and CPR certifications or the ability to obtain them prior to starting work. Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: This position works indoors and outdoors with a wide range of ages from preschoolers to senior citizens, participating in a variety of recreational activities. Must be able to physically play and demonstrate games, work with arts and crafts materials, work outdoors for extended periods of time in varying weather conditions, lift 20-50 lbs., and able to respond and react to an emergency in an effective manner. Must have the ability to work effectively as a member of a team and effectively communicate with staff and the public. Must show the ability to work cooperatively with other staff and be able to express ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a valid State driver's license. Successful completion of a background check, including a criminal check, is required for employment with the City of Spokane Valley.

COMPENSATION:

Wage will be $18.13 per hour, and work approximately 40 hours per week for at least 11 weeks during the summer. This position is ineligible for City-sponsored benefits, including PERS retirement. However, the position is covered by Workers Compensation insurance and subject to Federal withholdings for Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes. This is an at-will, non-represented, FLSA non-exempt, temporary-seasonal position.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

First Review on March 2, 2026; position open until filled.

The City of Spokane Valley has a policy of limiting tobacco use in the workplace.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer