Position Information

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR A CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENT OR RECENT GRADUATE TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR SUPPORTING A PROGRESSIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION.
Note: This is a full-time, temporary, paid internship for approximately three months between June and late August 2024.
The Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) is seeking an enthusiastic and creative Special Events Coordinator Intern to assist with special event management and public relations.
This position offers the opportunity to prepare for a career in special event management, communications, digital marketing and more. The Intern will learn about the daily operations of county-wide special events including providing support for the Arlington County Fair, one of the largest free events on the East Coast with over 150,000 people in attendance.
Specific duties include:

• Work with the Special Events and Communications Manager to develop event strategy, goals and desired outcomes;
• Provide communication to County Fair vendors, including venues, transportation, audio/visual, entertainment and other key stakeholders;
• Assist with the management of special event project budgets, conduct research projects to gain market insight and manage daily and long-term projects;
• Support outreach and communications efforts for the event through graphic design, writing, social media, newsletters and more;
• Manage the Fair’s event supplies, photo library and physical and electronic resources;
• Provide on-site support during events and attend necessary department meetings and training sessions;
• Research and streamline potential business opportunities; and
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Selection Criteria

Minimum: This position offers a summer internship opportunity to qualified individuals with little or no previous professional work.

• Completion of at least two (2) years (60 semester hours) in a Bachelor’s degree program at the time of hire;
• Degree requirements: Parks & Recreation Management, event management, communications, public relations, marketing, business, or a related field; and
• Applicants may be asked to provide certified official transcripts;

• A 3.0 (or higher) grade point average (GPA);
• Experience managing special events and project budgets; and/or
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Special Requirements

Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver license. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or must provide, a copy of the applicant's official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.
A pre-employment background check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Additional Information

Work hours: Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, with occasional night and weekend hours. Teleworking may be permitted up to four times a week, depending on work obligations. This position requires in office duties, events, and meetings.
A resume may be attached but will not substitute for the completed application. Please do not put "See Resume" in the work history or supplemental question section. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
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Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.

The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-228-3559 (voice) or email pers@arlingtonva.us.