About Us:
Los Altos is a full-service City with a budget of approximately $39 million and a full-time staff of 130 employees. The Civic Center complex houses the City Hall, Youth Center, Police Station, Library, History Museum and Community Center. Los Altos, California (population 29,431) blends a distinctive community-oriented character with the proximity and influence of the Bay Area’s cultural, recreational and business attractions. With its picturesque neighborhoods, downtown village and highly-rated schools, Los Altos is one of the premier residential communities on the San Francisco Peninsula and a very desirable place to live, work and raise a family. It is located 40 miles from San Francisco, just south of Palo Alto and minutes from the heart of Silicon Valley.
The mission of our city staff, council, commissions, committees and volunteers is to foster and maintain the City of Los Altos as a great place to live and to raise a family.
Internship Opportunity:
The City of Los Altos Recreation and Community Services Department has ongoing internship opportunities for current college students who have completed their coursework and are looking to fulfill their undergraduate program internship requirements to obtain a B.S. or B.A degree in Recreation, similar field or meet other personal career enhancement goals. Interns will work closely with one or more members of the Recreation Management Team and will have an opportunity to develop skills and practical on-the-job experience in a dynamic and diverse public service environment while promoting an understanding of local municipal government. The Recreation staff will work with each student to develop a successful and rewarding experience.
Description of Duties:
Under general supervision and guidance, the intern will plan, develop, and implement selected programs, services or projects. Examples of projects include assisting in the planning and coordination of community events, recreation programming, park and facility projects, policy updates and implementation, marketing, public engagement, research and analysis. This includes working with City staff, department Commissions, the public and community partners.
The intern will also aide in the production and distribution of program fliers, brochures and promotional materials as well as assist with recruiting and training efforts. The intern will gain experience in the agency’s methods for the development of policies, procedures, marketing, customer service, registration, community engagement, collaborations, planning, assessing, and budgeting, analysis, feasibility studies and program evaluations. Example programming areas include special interest classes, tiny tots, teens, seniors, youth and adult sports, camps, aquatics, facility rentals and special events. Example park projects include the development of a new Community Center, dog park, and a variety of other facility improvements. The intern will participate in department, community, commission and staff meetings.
Special Project:
Per guidelines provided by a specific academic curriculum, the intern will complete a minimum of one special project during the internship experience. The supervisor and intern will jointly determine the project and scope. The project should be mutually beneficial to the student as well as the City of Los Altos Recreation and Community Services Department.
Optional Camp Experience (Winter/Spring and Summer only):
- Winter/Spring Interns may assist in the planning of camp programs including summer programming, paperwork, administrative tasks, budget preparation, and other related items.
- Summer Interns may be directly involved with the camp program by: assisting with planning for the summer, participate in administrative team meetings, leading activities, and assisting with day to day operations. They will also assist the Camp Coordinator with administrative aspects of camp; which may include assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating camp programs. For summer interns, camp duties may be in addition to the other duties listed above.
Job Requirements:
- Possession of a valid California Driver’s License
- Interest in local government
- Work effectively, both supervised and unsupervised
- Work cooperatively and have good communication with staff, participants, parents, City professionals and other groups affiliated with City programs
- Good organizational skills
- Completion of assigned tasks
- Ability to plan, develop and implement programs
- Summer and Winter/Spring Interns Only: Additional tasks related to Camp programs
- Proficient in Excel and Word
- Detail oriented
- Great communication skills
- Able to problem solve effectively
- Excellent customer service
Benefits of The Intern Experience:
- Competitive hourly pay rate
- Flexible work schedules
- Field of study work exposure
- Provide meaningful and practical experience for the intern under supervisor/coordinator, including periodic evaluation and feedback.
- Provide a professional experience that fulfills the education requirements of the University while working with the students College internship advisor.
- Academic and professional growth
- Enriching on-the-job experience
- Professional networking opportunities
- Mentoring opportunities
- Resume enhancement
- Academic credit (in some cases)
- Provide an opportunity for the student to relate to, learn from, and interact with a recreation professional.
- Provide an opportunity for the intern to experience all aspects of community-based Recreation from administrative to implementation.
- Provide opportunities to develop direct leadership and supervisory skills.
- Prepare the student for an entry level position in the field of Recreation.
Qualifications of Recreation Intern:
- Current college student, recent college graduate, or graduate student.
- Majoring in the field of Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Public Administration, Kinesiology, or related field.
- Ability to follow written and verbal directions.
- Ability to instruct and lead individuals or groups in a variety of recreation programs and settings.
- Have knowledge of how to use basic computer programs and use of office machines, such as fax, copier, plotter, etc.
- Basic core knowledge of different techniques for a variety of recreation activities and programs.
- Ability to assist in the operation and control of recreation activities.
- Ability to use assessments to develop individual plans and document progress of participants.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, participants and the public.
- Ability to take initiative in asking questions, performing tasks in leadership and supervision of participants.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
The recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including a livescan background investigation. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose a conviction will result in disqualification or termination.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Los Altos is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age or sexual orientation. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Los Altos upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.
LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
