What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intern - Parks position at Olmsted County Minnesota?
Recognized as one of the best places to work in Southeast Minnesota for three consecutive years, at Olmsted County every role helps to foster a vibrant community where everyone thrives. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, driving public service excellence and community well-being.
We don’t just offer a job, we offer a career filled with purpose, growth, and fulfillment. Our benefits package ensures your wellbeing, while career advancement opportunities and professional development empower you to reach your full potential.
Join us, and you'll be part of a purpose-driven team where your work truly makes a difference. Together, we build a sustainable, healthy, and welcoming community.
Minimum Qualifications Of Education And Experience
College student pursuing a degree in natural sciences, interpretation, education, recreation, zoology, biology, or related field.
This internship does require evening and weekend hours.
Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver’s license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.
Nature of Work
Olmsted County Parks has internship opportunities at both Chester Woods and Oxbow Park. These internships are meant to introduce you to several aspects of the parks, such as leading public and school programs, creating interpretive signage, the daily husbandry of native Minnesota wild animals and not to mention learning the day-to-day operations and management of regional parks. Supports a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
Examples of Work
Chester Woods Park
Physical Demands and Work Environment: In compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the Physical and Environmental Demands:
Function
24% or Less
25% - 49%
50%-74%
75% or more
Office environment
X
Outdoors environment
X
Lab/Shop environment
X
In vehicle/operating equipment
X
Exposure to needle sticks / sharps exposure
X
Exposure to human blood, pathogens, body fluids
X
Exposure to hazardous materials / chemicals / toxic or caustic chemicals
X
Exposure to atmospheric conditions
X
Exposure to weather
X
Exposure to extreme heat/cold, wet and/or humid
X
Exposure to noise, vibration, electrical current
X
Animal handling
X
Sitting, standing, walking
X
Reaching, pulling, climbing, crouching, kneeling, stooping, balancing, crawling, handling, feeling
X
Pushing up to 50 pounds
X
Lifting up to 50 pounds
X
Repetitive hand/foot movements
X
Typing / data entry
X
Talking, hearing
X
Operate vehicle and heavy equipment
X
Close, distance and color vision, field of vision
X
Accommodation (bring object into sharp focus)
X
Sedentary (exert up to 10 pounds of force)
X
Light effort (exert up to 20 pounds of force)
X
Medium effort (exert up to 50 pounds of force)
X
Proximity to moving, mechanical parts
X
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Additional Considerations
01
I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Supplemental Questions sections of my application. This includes a detailed description of all work experience that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions.
You must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the Administrative Support Technician. Please select the answer that best describes your education and experience.
We don’t just offer a job, we offer a career filled with purpose, growth, and fulfillment. Our benefits package ensures your wellbeing, while career advancement opportunities and professional development empower you to reach your full potential.
Join us, and you'll be part of a purpose-driven team where your work truly makes a difference. Together, we build a sustainable, healthy, and welcoming community.
Minimum Qualifications Of Education And Experience
College student pursuing a degree in natural sciences, interpretation, education, recreation, zoology, biology, or related field.
This internship does require evening and weekend hours.
Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver’s license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.
Nature of Work
Olmsted County Parks has internship opportunities at both Chester Woods and Oxbow Park. These internships are meant to introduce you to several aspects of the parks, such as leading public and school programs, creating interpretive signage, the daily husbandry of native Minnesota wild animals and not to mention learning the day-to-day operations and management of regional parks. Supports a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
Examples of Work
Chester Woods Park
- Lead nature walks/hikes and programs for all ages
- Keep interpretive posters, signage, and interpretive labels current
- Weekly checks on the natural playscape
- Assist in resource management of park lands including invasive species removal
- Assist with watercraft rental station
- Assist staff in the daily upkeep and maintenance needed throughout the park
- Assist in posting to park social media accounts
- Inspecting watercraft for AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species)
- Zoo animal care – diet prep, daily feeding, cleaning, animal enrichment, exhibit maintenance
- Present zoo animal and nature education programs to school-age groups and the general public
- Participate in community science projects conducted at the park
- Promote the park and zoo as a Nature Center attendant as well as in the community during outreach programs
- Participate in resource management of park lands, including invasive species removal, as well as other park maintenance
- Create an individual internship capstone project to better the park and provide the intern with new skills and knowledge, under supervision of park staff
- Knowledge of environmental science.
- Skill in written and verbal communication.
- Skill in organization and self-motivation.
- Ability to accept responsibility.
- Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to exercise some independent judgment and to meet deadlines.
- Ability to use office equipment required for performing the job.
- Ability to use a variety of hand tools.
- Ability to assist with a variety of programs and tasks.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: In compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the Physical and Environmental Demands:
Function
24% or Less
25% - 49%
50%-74%
75% or more
Office environment
X
Outdoors environment
X
Lab/Shop environment
X
In vehicle/operating equipment
X
Exposure to needle sticks / sharps exposure
X
Exposure to human blood, pathogens, body fluids
X
Exposure to hazardous materials / chemicals / toxic or caustic chemicals
X
Exposure to atmospheric conditions
X
Exposure to weather
X
Exposure to extreme heat/cold, wet and/or humid
X
Exposure to noise, vibration, electrical current
X
Animal handling
X
Sitting, standing, walking
X
Reaching, pulling, climbing, crouching, kneeling, stooping, balancing, crawling, handling, feeling
X
Pushing up to 50 pounds
X
Lifting up to 50 pounds
X
Repetitive hand/foot movements
X
Typing / data entry
X
Talking, hearing
X
Operate vehicle and heavy equipment
X
Close, distance and color vision, field of vision
X
Accommodation (bring object into sharp focus)
X
Sedentary (exert up to 10 pounds of force)
X
Light effort (exert up to 20 pounds of force)
X
Medium effort (exert up to 50 pounds of force)
X
Proximity to moving, mechanical parts
X
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Additional Considerations
- This is a Rochester, MN based position and is not remote eligible at this time.
- International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
- Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
- Olmsted County does not sponsor applicants for this position.
01
I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Supplemental Questions sections of my application. This includes a detailed description of all work experience that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions.
- I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score which may make me ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment process.
You must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the Administrative Support Technician. Please select the answer that best describes your education and experience.
- College student pursuing a degree in natural sciences, interpretation, education, recreation, Zoology, biology, or related field.
- No combination of related education and/or experience as listed above.
- Required Question