Division of Parks and Recreation Internships

Purposes and Benefits:

The internship program was designed to meet a growing demand for practical experience, to satisfy college curricula requirements and to prepare students for possible employment in the department. Both students and the department stand to benefit from the internship experience.

In most cases, the internship is full-time for 10 to fifteen weeks. The intern is under the direct supervision of a designated park staff person. All internships must be meaningful to the student and satisfy university requirements.

Interns are not considered volunteers; they are students fulfilling their college requirements.

The Division offers four types of internships:

• Executive Internship Program

The intern fills an entry-level professional position on a seasonal or temporary basis. This is a paid internship with the Division of Parks and Recreation. Specific guidelines established for the Executive Internship Program must be followed. In 1999, the pay range was $6.70-9.63/hour.

• Paid Internship

This position is a paid with the Division of Parks and Recreation. The intern fills a routine seasonal park position in addition to other college requirements. In 1999, the pay range was $6.70-9.63 per hour.

• Unpaid Internship

This position is unpaid and provides a well-rounded work experience which covers all major areas of responsibility including: 1) Administration, 2) Visitor Services, 3) Resource Management, 4) Maintenance, and 5) Protection.

• Unpaid Special Project Internship

This position is unpaid and provides the student with the opportunity to focus on a particular project during the weeks of the internship. Project ideas must be approved by the SD Division of Parks and Recreation before the internship can begin.

Majors which are encouraged to apply:

Park Management
Recreation Administration
Criminal Justice
Natural Resource Management
Related majors

For more information contact Lynn Spomer at:

Parks and Recreation
523 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-3182,

605-773-3930
or E-mail Lynn.Spomer@state.sd.us