Teen Programs and Community Outreach Internship (Library and Community Services Department) (20767677)

Job Description:

Teen Programs and Community Outreach Internship (Library and Community Services Department) (20767677)

Description

Are you passionate about youth engagement and community development? The City of Menlo Park is seeking a dynamic Recreation Intern to lead a high-impact community assessment project. In this role, you will research and identify barriers to participation, analyze emerging youth trends, and uncover key opportunities to expand local teen recreation services. Your insights and findings will directly shape the future of our programming, facility planning, and community outreach strategies, leaving a lasting mark on the youth of Menlo Park.

About the Department

The Library and Community Services department is responsible for providing excellent customer service through recreational, educational, and cultural programs for children, adults and seniors. Our facilities include 221 acres of parkland distributed among 13 parks, two libraries, two community centers, two public pools, three childcare centers, two gymnasiums, and one gymnastics center. Included in the parks and recreation areas are tennis and pickleball courts, dog parks, softball diamonds, picnic areas, playgrounds, soccer fields, a skate park, shared use of a performing arts center and open space. The City of Menlo Park opened a state-of-the-art new facility that incorporates a community center, gymnasium, aquatics center, senior center, youth center, and branch library in May 2024.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal intern is genuinely curious about teen perspectives, excels at building rapport, and can translate community insights into practical solutions. Strong candidates will bring a blend of research skills, creative thinking, and community engagement experience.

The ideal intern is someone who is a:

• Passionate youth advocate: Deeply curious about and driven by what motivates today's teenagers.
  
• Active listener: Prioritizes listening over talking to create a welcoming, open dialogue.
  
• Relatable & trustworthy: Skilled at building authentic trust and rapport with young people.
  
• Proactive facilitator: Confident approaching new people and easing into meaningful conversations.
  
• Critical thinker: Asks insightful, well-considered questions that encourage deeper reflection.
  
• Agile & innovative: Highly adaptable and enthusiastic about testing fresh engagement strategies.
  
• Self-driven leader: Takes initiative easily and excels in autonomous environments.
  

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop a project timeline.
• Conduct literature reviews and research on successful teen recreation models from other communities.
• Design surveys, interview questions, and focus group materials.
• Collect data through surveys, observations, interviews, and community engagement.
• Visit parks, schools, community centers, and other gathering places to connect directly with teens. Engage youth in conversations to better understand their interests, recreation habits, unmet needs, and barriers to participation.
• Analyze data and identify key trends and recommendations.
• Prepare a final report summarizing findings, supported by data and actionable recommendations. Present findings and recommendations to Library and Community Services leadership.

By the conclusion of the internship, the intern will produce:

• A Teen Recreation Needs Assessment.
• A summary of community outreach findings.
• Data analysis identifying recreation trends and service gaps.
• Recommendations for new programs, events, services, and outreach strategies designed to increase teen participation.
• A presentation to City leadership outlining findings and proposed next steps.

Minimum Qualifications

Public Administration: Applicants must be in the process of earning an undergraduate (junior or senior) or master’s degree in public administration, or a related field or within one (1) year after graduation.

Benefits

This is a non-benefited temporary position. Hours of work are flexible and can be designed around course work requirements. There is a possibility for a hybrid work schedule, with some remote work. A temporary employee may not work more than 1000 hours per year (July 1 through June 30) and will receive sick leave in accordance with State Law.

Special Instructions

Please note: Hiring occurs on an as-needed basis. Applications will be reviewed continuously and interviews conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, at which point recruitment will close.

Please add the following information to your application:

• Cover letter
  
• Resume
  
• Copy of college (unofficial) transcript
  

The City will review all applications and interview selected applicants.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement.

The City of Menlo Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Menlo Park not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources at (650) 330-6670 or
[email protected]
prior to the closing date for accommodation requests.

Before receiving an offer of employment, candidates will be required to successfully complete a reference check, criminal conviction history questionnaire, and Department of Justice fingerprinting. Applicants must be successful in all phases of the selection process to be considered for this position.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.

Closing Date/Time: Until filled

Salary:

$20.24-$24.74 Hourly