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TextIntern Opportunities with Fairfax County Park Authority
THE INTERN PROGRAM
The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud of its ability and opportunity to provide a variety of intern programs for individuals seeking on-the-job experience in all aspects of Park Authority operations. The agency intern program boasts a well-established history dating back to the 1960's. The program has changed throughout the years, growing and adapting to meet the ever-changing needs of the park and recreation profession. There is no limit to the number of interns accepted, though summer numbers tend to run from 20-35. The selected number of interns is based on staff available to supervise, available challenging work, and qualifications of the interns. The Park Authority offers internships in a sincere effort to provide a quality, diversified program in which students from a wide variety of educational disciplines have the opportunity to apply traditional academic classroom learning to actual work experience within the Park Authority, in order to develop personal and professional skills for future career development and placement.
TYPES OF INTERNSHIPS
The Park Authority offers four categories of internships within most of its five divisions of operation. The categories of internships are as follows:
UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE
An internship which is required by a university or college to obtain an undergraduate or graduate degree in a chosen field. In order to qualify for this type of internship, you must: Hold a junior or senior standing in a four year degree program, be enrolled in the last semester of a two year degree program, or be enrolled in the second half of a graduate program.
Have a major grade point average of at least 2.0 (3.0 graduate GPA)
Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills
Have strong initiative and the ability to work independently
Follow FCPA outlined application process
Follow all FCPA applicable policies and procedures
Meet division specified qualifications
TRADE/VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS
Applicant must be enrolled in educational training, leading to certification in a specific technical service, trade or skill. In order to qualify for this type of internship, applicants must meet the division specified qualifications.
In order to qualify for this type of internship, you must meet the division specified qualifications.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
An internship for individuals seeking hands-on experience in a field related to their academic training, and/or re-entering the field after a period of absence. Included may be those university/college students wishing an internship for experience, but which is not required to obtain a degree. This type of internship request is usually considered on a case-by-case basis, and is not offered in every division. Undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students are eligible.
In order to qualify for this type of internship, you must:
Meet the qualifications for University/College Internships.
Meet the specified division qualifications.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
FCPA CONTACT PERSON
The FCPA contact person is the Intern Program Coordinator, Diane Roteman.
SUPERVISION
Following initial contact with the agency, the Intern Program Coordinator will refer you to the division of your choice. You will be referred to the Division Intern Contact who will be responsible for your interview, hire, placement, training, assignment, and evaluation.
LENGTH OF INTERNSHIPS
Depending on the type of internship and the division in which it is being held, most internships run 10 weeks or 400 hours.
PAY
Internships are unpaid.
TRANSPORTATION
The applicant is required to have their own means of transportation in order to get to and from work. Intern assignments occasionally require varying work schedules throughout the County. The applicant may be required to utilize their personal vehicle to conduct agency business.
ORIENTATION
A structured orientation program will be provided to interns during their first few weeks on the job. A meeting with senior managers and the Park Authority Board will be scheduled.
PROJECTS/REPORTS/EVALUATION
Depending on your type of internship, you will most likely be required to complete a special project, weekly reports, and a final exit briefing or presentation. You will be provided with a written and verbal evaluation of your performance by your immediate supervisor.
SHARED BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM
STUDENT BENEFITS
The Park Authority intern program affords each intern opportunities
for both career enhancement and personal growth. These benefits
include:
Resume Building: Park Authority Internships provide the experience and
benefit of having worked for an award winning organization with a
nationally known and respected reputation.
Results Oriented Work Experience: The program is structured to provide
each student with a visible end product and a sense of pride and
accomplishment, as well as an important building block for your resume.
AGENCY BENEFITS
The Park Authority believes an intern program should be mutually beneficial to both the student and the organization. Our intention is to provide students with an experience that fosters both professional growth and self-expression. In return, we expect you to have good core work habits - strong communication skills, a demonstrated ability to effectively complete assignments and knowledge which is sufficient to adequately carry out and complete your internship project. FCPA can benefit from your enthusiasm and project support which allows us to accomplish tasks that may not otherwise receive timely completion.
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