Description
The City of Newark Recreation & Community Services Department is seeking a highly motivated Intern for a 10-week, 400-hour internship designed to provide hands-on experience across multiple recreation divisions. Interns will work under the supervision of recreation professionals and gain exposure to Youth & Adult Sports, Aquatics, Customer Relations, Special Events, Contract Classes, Social Media, and Camp programming.
Interns will assist with program planning, administrative processes, event support, community engagement, research projects, and facility operations. The internship includes the development of a capstone project demonstrating applied skills and professional growth.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support Recreation Program Operations: Assist with the planning, coordination, and evaluation of youth and adult sports, aquatics, camp activities, contract classes, and community programs.
- Conduct Program & Industry Research: Research recreation trends, program models, facility usage practices, and potential new class or event opportunities that support department growth.
- Assist With Administrative & Record-Keeping Tasks: Help maintain and organize employee records, certifications, program logs, manuals, and digital files to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Contribute to Training & Resource Development: Assist in updating manuals, creating training materials, preparing visual content, and helping standardize department documents and forms.
- Support Customer Service & Facility Operations: Provide general support to facility staff, assist with rental processes, enhance customer experiences, and help assess facility improvement needs.
- Participate in Events & Community Engagement: Support event planning and execution, collect community feedback through surveys, and assist in preparing summaries or recap materials.
- Assist With Camp Planning Projects: Help research, compare, and recommend field trip options and program enhancements for Camp Newark and other seasonal programs.
- Collaborate on Department Projects: Work with supervisors and staff on various assignments, contribute creative ideas, and help complete a capstone project demonstrating skills learned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements
- Current enrollment in a college or university program related to Recreation, Hospitality, Tourism, Kinesiology, Education, or a related field.
- Ability to work a varied schedule, including weekends and some holidays.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Basic competency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
Preferred
- Prior experience in recreation, customer service, childcare, aquatics, special events, or hospitality.
- Interest in research, program development, or public engagement.
- Creative problem-solving and organizational skills.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is enthusiastic about community recreation and eager to gain hands-on experience across diverse program areas. They are adaptable, curious, detail-oriented, and comfortable engaging with the public. They enjoy learning new systems, contributing ideas, and supporting a team environment. A strong candidate demonstrates initiative, professionalism, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to community programs.
Benefits
This is a non-benefited, temporary position. Temporary employees will only work up to 1,000 hours per year.
PART-TIME BENEFITS:
- Sick Leave: Five (5) days (40 hours) sick leave per fiscal year. Sick hours do not roll over to the next year and therefore must be utilized or forfeited annually.
- Silliman Activity center use: Temporary employees will have access for themselves to utilize the center to work out in the fitness area, the basketball gymnasium, and the swimming facility during regular program times while they are not scheduled to work. A facility employee application will be filled out upon hire.
RETIREMENT:
- Temporary employees will be required to contribute to a Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan.
PART-TIME EMPLOYEE STATUS:
- This is a part time position and is therefore considered an “at-will” employee status position. Employment may be terminated with or without cause or notice, at any time, at the will of the City of Newark, in its sole discretion.
- The City of Newark does not participate in Social Security, therefore, the Part-time, Temporary employee will be required to contribute to a Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan.
Special Instructions
We will make reasonable efforts in all phases of the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 510-578-4267 or at hr@newarkca.gov for accommodation requests.
The City of Newark is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of any local, state, or federal protected class.
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States. All new employees are required by law to sign a loyalty oath.