Parks Planning Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $15.00 - $16.00 Hourly
Location : Parks&Rec-4303 24th St, Rock Island, IL 61201, IL
Job Type: Part-Time
Job Number: 2026-6750
Department: Parks & Recreational
Division: Recreation
Opening Date: 01/13/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
The Parks & Recreation Department is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented intern for the Spring/Summer Term. This internship provides hands-on experience in parks planning, community engagement, facility assessment, and program development. The intern will work closely with department staff, partner agencies, and the Parks Foundation to support a variety of strategic initiatives.
The Parks & Recreation Intern will support department projects that advance accessibility, infrastructure planning, community well being, and long term strategic goals. The intern will conduct field assessments, perform research and data analysis, help develop community resources, and contribute to department programming and fundraising efforts. Through this internship, the intern will gain real-world experience in parks planning and assessment, an understanding of ADA and safety standards, skills in community research and partnership development, exposure to fundraising, and a portfolio of completed, meaningful projects.
Examples of Duties
1. Playground Assessment & Improvement Plan
- Conduct on site evaluations of all department playgrounds.
- Document equipment condition, safety compliance, age of structures, and ADA accessibility.
- Use standardized assessment tools or develop new templates (with staff guidance).
- Create a replacement and maintenance schedule with cost estimates and prioritization criteria.
- Present findings and recommendations to staff.
2. Park Paths, Roads, and Parking Lot Condition Survey
- Assess the condition of paved and unpaved paths, internal park roads, and parking lots.
- Create mapped or spreadsheet-based documentation of condition ratings.
- Recommend a multi-year replacement and repair plan based on usage, safety needs, and risk factors.
3. ADA/Accessibility Audit
- Review parks, facilities, playgrounds, programs, and signage for ADA compliance.
- Compile results into an ADA Accessibility Report with improvement priorities.
- Identify quick fixes versus long-term capital needs.
4. Community Asset Map & Well-Being Analysis
- Research and identify service providers in Rock Island and surrounding communities across the 7 Dimensions of Well-Being:
Physical
Social
Emotional
Environmental
Intellectual
Spiritual
Occupational
- Create a comprehensive directory of health services, social support agencies, recreation providers, events, and community resources.
- Identify service gaps, partnership opportunities, and underserved populations.
5. Fundraising Planning with Staff & Foundation
- Collaborate with Parks staff and the Parks Foundation to plan one fundraising activity.
- Assist with event logistics, volunteer coordination, marketing, and sponsorship outreach.
6. Recreation Programming
- Day Camp
Develop a plan for field trip or special activity including program outline, budget, staffing, and other logistics.
Conduct weekly inventory of camp supplies and provide reports.
Assist with supervision of day camp activities.
- Adaptive Programs
Assist with planning and supervision of Adaptive programs and events such as Special Olympics, ADAPT Social group, etc.
- Senior Programming
Develop a program targeted for the senior population including program outline, budget, staffing and other logistics.
- Sports
Assist with supervision of youth and adult sports programs.
- Special Events
Assist with supervision of community special events including concert series, park and facility rentals, and others.
- Golf
Assist with planning, coordination, and supervision of golf outings, leagues and other events.
- Other Duties
Assist with Front Office operations including program/membership registration.
Attend staff meetings including Park Board and City Council.
Attend functions representing the Parks & Recreation department with community partners such as the school district, Library, and others.
Typical Qualifications
Currently pursuing a degree in Parks and Recreation or related field.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and with a team on research and fieldwork.
Comfortable with outdoor work, walking park sites, and collecting data.
Experience with Excel and Word.
Interest in parks, recreation, public service, or community health.
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate tools and equipment as well as equipment controls reached with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to talk, hear, and smell. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work in outside weather conditions. The employee may work near moving mechanical parts; and is occasionally exposed to wet and slippery surfaces, humid conditions, extreme cold and heat.
Parks part time limited employee benefits