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


Sully Historic Site

Title: Sully Historic Site Intern
Location: Sully Historic Site, 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, VA 20151
Salary: $16.19 per hour
Status: Intern
Hours: Approximately 10-30 hours per week. The position is set at 10 weeks with the potential to extend.
Schedule: This position is an internship. Weekend work is required.

Sully Historic Site is pleased to announce the opening of this year’s Margaret C. Peck Youth Internship program, sponsored by the Sully Foundation Ltd. The program offers an outstanding opportunity for local high school rising seniors to gain valuable work experience in a variety of areas, including museum operation, public speaking, historic object collections, event programming and customer service.

The Margaret C. Peck Youth Internship is open to rising seniors at nearby Centreville, Chantilly, Herndon, South Lakes and Westfield high schools, who have an interest in history and who are in good academic standing.

Candidates must provide a completed application, written essay or cover letter and one recommendation by Thursday July 3rd, 2025.

This internship is named in memory of former Sully Historic Site administrator and Sully Foundation member, the late Margaret C. Peck. Peck was a longtime resident of the Herndon area, a local author and a former educator with the Fairfax County Public School system. This internship honors her community service, dedication to educating young adults and historic preservation efforts in the surrounding community.

Duties and responsibilities: The intern will assist with all aspects of daily operations of Sully Historic Site, including interpretation of the site and its historic landscape for daily visitors, taking program reservations, and assisting as needed with historic programs. The internship might involve researching and documenting various aspects of the site's history and local history as it relates to Sully Historic Site. The intern will gain skills in researching for and developing historical interpretive programs for the public, archival and object research, and interpretive writing for web content and social media.

  • Duty 1: 30% Customer Service- Greet visitors and provide interpretive history of Sully Historic Site. Answer phones and provide customer service.
  • Duty 2: 40% Program Assistance- Assist with all aspects of programming including reviewing outlines, preparing materials, setup and cleanup, and program evaluation.
  • Duty 3: 30% Intern Project – the intern will choose a project from 1) historic research, 2) museum education, or 3) community engagement. Report-out on findings and intern experience.


Necessary Special Requirements: All appointees must also agree to a criminal background check including fingerprinting, attend mandatory training.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift to 25 lbs. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Additional Information: Position is set for 10 weeks with the potential to extend.

Position Start Date: July 7, 2025

To apply: Send your resume, essay or cover letter, and reference contact to FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-437-9101.

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 FCPAInternships@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.  

Riverbend Park (Great Falls)

Title: Fishing Education Intern 
Salary: $16-20/hour, June 1st - August 15th, 2025. No Benefits
Location: Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA 22066
Hours: 8:30AM- 4:30PM Monday to Friday approximately, schedule may vary based on week, no more than 40 hours per week.

Description: Spend a summer on the river! Riverbend Park is FCPA’s only staffed riverfront park. Riverbend offers diverse summer programming, including summer camps for campers age 4-15, family programs, and outdoor recreation classes. Benefits of working here include a community of supportive staff and opportunities to participate in outdoor activities including fishing, kayaking, canoeing and hiking.  Play your part by working in and preserving this beautiful park! 

Fishing education interns will assist park naturalists and summer camp teachers in leading various camp programs at Riverbend Park and other Fairfax County Park Authority sites as needed.  Interns will gain experience working with children and teens, while learning and developing outdoor, educational, interpretive, and leadership skills. You will be responsible for communication with campers, and their families and FCPA staff while, maintaining a safe and fun environment. This internship is an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest in outdoor, environmental or non-traditional education.

Requirements: Must enjoy and have enthusiasm for working with children and stewardship. College students or graduates preferably with major in Education, Biology, Environmental Science, or Parks and Recreation.  Successful candidates will also demonstrate the ability to carry out assigned tasks, communicate orally and in writing, to all staff and emergency personnel. Successful candidates will have freshwater angling experience, working knowledge of fishing equipment, techniques, and handling. Ability to paddle a canoe and/or kayak. Introductory training will be required.  Experience with children, paddlesports, fishing and outdoor skills are preferred.

Additionally, all successful applicants must agree to a criminal background check including fingerprinting, attend mandatory training, possess current or acquire first aid and CPR certifications before the start of camps, and have never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor related to abuse, neglect, exploitation or other barrier crimes as listed on the Sworn Disclosure Statement of the Criminal Record Check. Valid Driver's License. 

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume and three references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please notify the hiring supervisor if they need to verify employment/internship, provide weekly or monthly updates, or communicate with your advisor. If selected, you will be notified of additional procedures to begin employment. Interested candidates should forward resumes to Casey Tinius, Riverbend Park by email to Casey.Tinius@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.  

Title: Outdoor Education Intern 
Salary: $16-20/hour, June 1st - August 15th, 2025. No Benefits
Location: Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA 22066
Hours: 8:30AM- 4:30PM Monday to Friday approximately, schedule may vary based on week, no more than 40 hours per week

Description: Spend a summer on the river! Riverbend Park is FCPA’s only staffed riverfront park. Riverbend offers diverse summer programming, including summer camps for campers age 4-15, family programs, and outdoor recreation classes. Benefits of working here include a community of supportive staff and opportunities to participate in outdoor activities including fishing, kayaking, canoeing and hiking.  Play your part by working in and preserving this beautiful park! 

Outdoor education interns will assist park naturalists and summer camp teachers in leading various camp programs at Riverbend Park and other Fairfax County Park Authority sites as needed.  Interns will gain experience working with children and teens, while learning and developing outdoor, educational, interpretive, and leadership skills. You will be responsible for communication with campers, and their families and FCPA staff while, maintaining a safe and fun environment. This internship is an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest in outdoor, environmental or non-traditional education.

Requirements:  Must enjoy and have enthusiasm for working with children and stewardship.  College students or graduates preferably with major in Education, Biology, Environmental Science, or Parks and Recreation.  Successful candidates will also demonstrate the ability to carry out assigned tasks, communicate orally and in writing to all staff and emergency personnel. Experience working with children and participating in outdoor recreation or environmental science preferred. 

Additionally, all successful applicants must agree to a criminal background check including fingerprinting, attend mandatory training, possess current or acquire first aid and CPR certifications before the start of camps, and have never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor related to abuse, neglect, exploitation or other barrier crimes as listed on the Sworn Disclosure Statement of the Criminal Record Check. Valid Driver's License. 

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume and three references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please notify the hiring supervisor if they need to verify employment/internship, provide weekly or monthly updates, or communicate with your advisor. If selected, you will be notified of additional procedures to begin employment. Interested candidates should forward resumes to Casey Tinius, Riverbend Park by email to Casey.Tinius@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 check to the satisfaction of the employer.  

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.  

Fairfax Virtual Assistant