Parks Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $23.30 - $28.32 Hourly
Location : Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Internship
Job Number: 26/08-0825-OINT
Department: Regional Parks Department (RPK)
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 00
Position Information
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Department seeks an energetic and motivated Sign Shop Graphics Intern!
This is an outstanding hands-on opportunity for an undergraduate student to gain meaningful, directly relevant, paid professional experience. Applicants must be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university.
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Sonoma County by providing recreational, social, and cultural opportunities for the public, and leading in the preservation, conservation, restoration, and promotion of the natural, scenic, and historic resources in the County. Today, we have more than 60 parks and beaches located from Petaluma to Gualala and across Sonoma to Bodega Bay. Many offer wild landscapes and miles of trails. Others feature sports fields, playgrounds, boat launches, and campgrounds. Regional Parks also manages the County's largest ocean marina. As part of the Regional Parks team, you will be enthralled by Sonoma County's rolling hills, rugged coastline, and meandering rivers while contributing to their stewardship.
As the Sign Shop Graphics Intern within the Marketing Division of Regional Parks, you will work alongside the Graphic Design Specialist to support the design, pre-production, fabrication, and installation of park signage, interpretive displays, banners, and other visual materials using Adobe Creative Suite. This position is ideal for a student interested in developing creative signage and wayfinding solutions that enhance visitors' ability to navigate and experience parks and recreational spaces.
In this role, you will work in a production and manufacturing studio, gaining valuable exposure to professional creative workflows and hands-on experience with large-format printers, vinyl cutters, plotters, laminators, and other industrial equipment and tools. Working closely with experienced staff, you will receive training in graphic design, screen printing, and the operation of industry-standard printing and cutting equipment. By the end of the internship, you will have completed a substantial body of work that can be showcased in a professional portfolio.
As the Sign Shop Graphics intern, you will receive ongoing guidance and supervision from Regional Parks staff while developing practical, highly marketable skills that can support future employment in graphic design, production, signage, and related creative fields.
The ideal candidate for this internship will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and eager to learn, and have the ability to take initiative and work effectively as part of a team. Candidates should have a moderate foundation in graphic design principles, including color theory, typography, composition, and scale, as well as strong communication skills. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite-particularly Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator vector-based graphics, and InDesign-is preferred.
The student selected for this role must be available to work a minimum of 15-20 hours per week for six to nine months, Monday through Friday. The internship will be based at the Sonoma County Probation Camp property next to the Santa Rosa Junior College's Shone Farm complex outside of Forestville.
If selected, students must show proof of student status and course of study by one of the following:

• Course registration material
• Certificate of Postgraduate Program requirements
• Internship registration
• Transcript

Employment
Interns are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. An Intern may not work in excess of 1560 hours in a twelve-month period from the date of hire. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill an Intern-Undergraduate level, extra-help position in Regional Parks. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.
Application Submissions Require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be Completed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Current enrollment in a full-time or part-time academic or vocational curriculum at an accredited college or university.
Experience: None required.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level, including necessary endorsements, may be required to perform the essential functions of the position.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to ensure candidates meet the minimum requirements for the position. Candidates possessing these requirements will be referred to the department for further consideration. The hiring department will contact candidates who appear to best meet the requirements and needs of the position and take further steps in making a selection for the internship.
Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Additional Information
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the to determine the requirements for this position.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted in person, by fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job announcement must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: CG
HR Technician: VH
Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
County of Sonoma Benefits: Unrepresented*
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or (707) 565-2900.
*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?

• Careers in Government
• College or University
• County of Sonoma Human Resources Office
• Craigslist
• DiversityJobs
• Employee of Sonoma County
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Handshake
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair
• La Voz
• Latino Service Providers
• LinkedIn
• Los Cien
• Press Democrat
• sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
• Start Here!
• X (Twitter)
• Veterans Services Office
• Women's Organization or Group
• Other Internet Site
• Other Publication

02
Please describe your current academic status and include the following information:

• Name of the school, college, university, or institution you attended
• Your Major, 2nd Major, Minor, and/or Concentration
• Your current program of study year/level
• Expected date of graduation/completed date
• Any degree(s) you have previously earned

03
Please describe how your coursework, training, and/or experience have prepared you for this internship, highlighting any experience related to graphic design and sign fabrication.
04
Please describe your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, including a description of a project you created using these tools and the purpose or goal of the project.
Required Question