Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Internship Opportunities

Department Resources

View and apply for paid and unpaid internships with the Fairfax County Park Authority below. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to FCPAInternships@fairfaxcounty.gov


Engineering

Engineering/Survey Technician Intern

Salary: $23 to $27 per hour. 

Location: Herrity Building; 12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA. 

Hours: 24 to 32 hours per week in-person) office and field work) 

Overview: Under general supervision of the section chief, does technical and survey work of a semi-professional nature in the office or field, as well as automated survey technical support, exercising independent judgement and initiative, and does related work as required.

Duties: 

FIELD DUTIES:

  • Help carry equipment.
  • Setup and operate total station, or gps equipment. Measure properly with chain or tape measurer. 
  • Performs the duties of other crew members when necessary. 
  • Prepares proper, legible, and accurate field notes with sketches of the project site. 
  • Use magnetic locator to recover property corners and monuments.
  • Drive pipes, stakes, and hubs with sledgehammer. 
  • Setup tripods, total station, and prisms. 
  • Operates rods, and prism poles. 
  • Assists in keeping notes.  Cuts brush when required. 
  • Cleans and cares for survey equipment. 
  • On-load and off-load equipment. 
  • Clean and provide maintenance of survey vehicles when required.

OFFICE DUTIES:

  • Perform mathematical computations necessary to reduce and adjust field notes, prepares preliminary research for survey projects, evaluating available data, interpreting legal descriptions, engineering designs, plats, topographic maps, and field data. Perform land records research. Assists in preparing technical reports. Perform survey computations.  Maintains files.
  • Make prints and prepare copies.  Upload and download points and raw data from data collectors. Use excel, word, and cad.

OTHER DUTIES

  • Maintains supplies.  Recommend new equipment. 
  • May attend pre-construction meetings. 
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  • Preferred Major or Program(s) of Study: civil engineering, land surveying, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • May include hiking through stream valleys and properties of varying terrain.
  • Operation of vehicles.
  • Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
  • Must be able to carry up to 50 pounds of equipment unassisted.

To Apply: Send resume to FCPAInternships@fairfaxcounty.gov

Note: This position may not exceed 900 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are not eligible for benefits and are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.  

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.  

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Resource Management, Interpretation and History

Position Title: Historic Collections Intern
Location: Frying Pan Farm Park, Hayes, Virginia 23072 United States 
Compensation: Interns will be temporary part-time employees of the Fairfax County Park Authority. Compensation is $16.18 - $26.96, with expected hours per week of 17. 30 hours for 52 weeks per year. Start and end dates are negotiable.

Overview: Frying Pan Farm Park is searching for a historic collections intern, who, under the supervision of an internship supervisor, will participate in projects and programs that serve the community and contribute to the mission of the Fairfax County Park Authority. Interns will be assigned to a project or program in one of the following areas: Park Services, Park Operations, Administration, Planning and Development, Resource Management, or Marketing and Communications. 

Duties: 

  • Collections Inventory: Assist staff with inventory of Permanent, Education, and Display Collections objects. Document object condition, location, and update collections database. 
  • Collections Care: Support staff in environmental condition monitoring, integrated pest management, and routine cleaning of historic objects/spaces. Assist staff in accessioning, deaccessioning, and documentation of legal title of collections objects.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
•    Varies by area of assignment 
•    Ability to lift 50 Ibs with assistance 
•    Ability to walk, crouch, kneel, stand, sit in indoor and outdoor areas during variable weather
•    Ability to ascend and descend ladder 
•    May work in areas or historic structures that are not climate controlled or accessible to ADA requirements

To Apply: Send resume to FCPAInternships@fairfaxcounty.gov

Note: This position may not exceed 900 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are not eligible for benefits and are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.  

If you have any questions, please email FCPAJOBS@Fairfaxcounty.gov or visit us online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/jobs-internships

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Position Title: Urban Agriculture Intern
Location: Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312 
Hours: 15 – 20 hours per week (telework not an option); Three days/week required with times negotiable. 
Start date: negotiable but no later than October 6, 2025. End date negotiable but no later than March 1.
Salary: Interns will be temporary part-time employees of the Fairfax County Park
Authority. Compensation is $16.50 per hour for up to 300 hours. Start and end dates are negotiable.

Overview: The Urban Agriculture Intern will assist with the administration of Fairfax County’s Garden Plot Rental Program. Interns will be exposed to project planning and administration and gain skills in communicating with a diverse audience. Interns will also enhance their knowledge of vegetables and fruit gardening.

Duties: 

  • Physical clearing of vacant plots for new tenants 
  • Conducting spot checks as part of garden plot site inspections 
  • Data entry and statistics 
  • Promoting the program through short writing assignments and social media posts 
  • Special projects may be assigned 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Applicants must be enrolled in a two- or four-year horticulture, botany, environmental education/science, or similar degree program
  • ability to communicate verbally and in writing; be able to lift 40 lbs.; ability to traverse uneven ground; tolerate heat, humidity and cold temperatures working outdoors; and have their own transportation

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with data collection and reporting 
  • Microsoft Office skills including Word and Excel 
  • Legible handwriting 
  • Botanical knowledge helpful but not required 
  • Photography and social media skills a plus 

To Apply: Send resume to FCPAInternships@fairfaxcounty.gov

Note: This position may not exceed 900 hours per calendar year. Individuals in these positions are not eligible for benefits and are not eligible to earn leave or receive holiday pay.  

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.  

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

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