RECREATION: Intern – Summer 2026

Full Job Description

RECREATION INTERN – SUMMER 2026 SEMESTER

Job Code: 9018

Seasonal non-benefited employees are limited to working no more than six (6) consecutive months and no more than 900 hours in a fiscal year (July 1-June 30).

THE POSITION

The City of Sunnyvale Department of Library and Recreation Services is seeking two interns for the summer semester to assist in the Marketing and Customer Support unit or assist the citywide 4th of July Festival.

The intern will have a special project (4th of July Festival or Camp Marketing) that will be their main assignment as well as assist the work unit with other programs, activities or projects.

Note: This internship does not qualify for a Recreation Therapy internship.

Hours

Minimum of 480 hours over 13-14 weeks with an end date of at least Aug. 14. The selected candidate for each summer season will work under the supervision on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m.

to 5:30 p.m. with at least a 30-min unpaid lunch break. In addition, some evening/weekend hours are required for special events, special assignments, programs, classes or activities.

Working the 4th of July Festival and Family Night at the Park events in June and July will be required.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction from the Recreation Services Manager or Recreation Services Coordinator 2 (depending on the unit) in the Department of Library and Recreation Services. This position may act as a lead with community members.

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Develop experience in program/special event planning and production
• Apply internet research skills and gain experience in marketing
• Improve writing skills through a variety of communication mediums (formal and informal correspondence and marketing materials)
• Gain experience in program planning, marketing programs and activities and implementing ideas into action
• Gain exposure and experience in program planning in arts, sports, aquatics, youth, teens and older adult recreation
• Expand professional network in producing classes, activities, events and/or programs

Requirements

BY UNIT:

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

All units:

• Learns to follow all City standards related to branding and writing (Associated Press style), or as otherwise directed, and meet deadlines
• Represents the division at community outreach events (such as job or event fairs, special events, etc.) by promoting recreation services and programs
• Surveys public to ensure program quality and benchmark community needs
• Research similar programs and events in the Bay Area and beyond and suggests best practices
• Performs a wide variety of task such as writing program descriptions, proofreading/editing marketing content, flyer design, taking photos or selecting imagery to be used in marketing campaigns
• Attends unit or division trainings or meetings as appropriate
• Assists the Recreation Services Division with additional duties as assigned that may include working some nights and weekends

Marketing and Customer Support Unit:

• Creates marketing material to promote the Recreation Services recreation and social services programs successfully with a focus on camps
• Assists day-of with the 4^th of July Festival
• Attends outreach/recruitment events, including Family Night at the Park, to promote upcoming classes, activities, special events and part-time job opportunities
• Assists with special events and outreach, including greeting the public and answering questions and helping with set-up and clean-up
• Leads the summer camp waitlist team; Researches recreation activity and facility rental trends; Makes recommendations for policy changes
• Assists in taking photographs of current programs to provide updated photos for marketing purposes
• Takes the lead in camp analysis and develops camp promotional newsletters for underperforming camps

4^th of July Festival:

• Assists with logistics for the 4^th of July Festival and State of the City special events, including communicating with committee staff members, volunteers and vendors; ordering and organizing supplies and attending planning meetings and discussions; greeting the public and answering questions during events
• Attends outreach/recruitment events, including Family Night at the Park, to promote upcoming classes, activities, special events and part-time job opportunities
• Supports Park and Recreation month outreach efforts
• Researches recreation special events, activities and trends
• Assists in taking photographs of current programs to provide updated photos for marketing purposes

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position is required to work in-person on the Community Center campus and may not work from home.

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities.

The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination when using a computer keyboard.

Additionally, the position requires near and far vision when reading and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service.

The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds is also required.

The job duties may expose the employee to the outdoors, which may include exposure to fumes, dust, allergens and air contaminants.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program with a major in Recreation, Parks, Tourism, Hospitality, Marketing/Communications, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Theater Arts, Education, Kinesiology, Public Administration or a closely related field.
• Courses or work/volunteer experience in recreation, parks, tourism, marketing, event planning, visual or performing arts, visual arts, theater, pottery, sports, kinesiology, aquatics, older adults or a related field

Ability to:

• Follow general instructions, directions and procedures while working effectually with attention to detail
• Process information and data in a relevant manner to reach reasonable conclusions and make practical decisions
• Demonstrate flexibility of style relative to specific job assignments, working environments, shift schedules and hours
• Work effectively with others, as a contributing group or team member on multiple assignments
• Communicate with high proficiency in both written and spoken English
• Prioritizing assignments and workload appropriately and responding to multiple deadlines
• Use independent reasoning to solve programs of moderate complexity
• Establish and maintain effective professional work relationships with a variety of people, including City staff, volunteers, the public and artists/performers
• Perform the essential functions of this position
• Internet research skills, including social media and networking sites
• Learn Associated Press writing style
• Creatively solve problems as they arise

Knowledge of:

• Art, culture, theater, sports, aquatics, older adults programming and/or special event production in a recreation setting
• Computer programs utilized in program planning; specifically, Microsoft Publisher, Word and Excel
• Dynamics of development of social media sites
• Basic principles of graphic design

Licenses/ Certificates: Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record.

Additional Information

APPLICATION PROCESS
The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume, employment history provided elsewhere in the application, or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources as soon as possible.

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position.

Based upon a review of the application materials, qualified candidate applications will be forwarded to the hiring department for review.

Application materials will be evaluated for job-related skills, experience and education. Individuals with the best match to the position will be invited to participate in an interview.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and information regarding next steps in the recruitment process will be sent via email. Please check your email regularly for status updates. You may contact Faye Brand at fbrand@sunnyvale.ca.gov or 408-730-3015 for application status.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check as well as medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire.

Prior to starting work, all newly- hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history.

A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination.

Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information regarding this employment opportunity, contact Lauren Eck, Recreation Coordinator 2, at 408-730-7331 or email: recreation@sunnyvale.ca.gov.

For information relating to the application process contact Faye Brand, Human Resources Technician at 408-730-3015 or email: fbrand@sunnyvale.ca.gov.

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or recruitments@sunnyvale.ca.gov.