What are the responsibilities and job description for the Recreation Intern position at City of Maple Grove, MN?
About Maple Grove, MN
Maple Grove is a forward-thinking, thriving community in the northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We are home to over 73,000 residents with a projected population of 90,000 by 2040 with 2,500 acres of undeveloped land. The City of Maple Grove is proud to employ over 300 benefit-earning employees, 500 part-time, casual, temporary, seasonal employees, and 100 paid-on-call firefighters to staff our many departments. We provide public safety, public works, community and economic development, parks & recreation, and many other important public services to a growing community.
The Position
The City of Maple Grove is seeking a Recreation Intern- Marketing, Events, & Programming This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the Parks & Recreation field, while working with a very active and growing community. The Recreation intern will assist the Parks & Recreation Department staff with various programs, including special events, farmers' market, athletics, and social media marketing. As the Recreation Intern, you will learn about the day to day operations of the Parks & Rec Department, assist in the planning and executing special events, interact with community members, and further your experience in the parks & recreation field. You will be challenged to assist with planning, supervising, marketing, and evaluating various recreation programs, as well as promoting programs and events through social media. This internship is a outstanding opportunity to further yourself professionally and gain valuable experience, come and join our growing and diverse community
Hours: The position is for the summer of week internship, 40 hours weekly, May – August, 2026. Hours vary, some nights & weekends needed as events/programs require.
**Posting will be open until filled, with first review of applications on 1/12/26 - apply immediately**
Responsibilities
- Marketing, public relations, and promotion of programs and events through social media & other marketing avenues.
- Planning, executing, and evaluating recreation programs and events, including but not limited to:
- Maple Grove Days
- Youth Day Camp
- Farmers Market
- Juneteenth Celebration
- Town Green Summer Concert Series
- Athletic Tournaments
- Connect with local businesses and seek potential sponsorship opportunities.
- Provide information and assistance to customers, activity participants, and City staff, both in person and in writing.
- Respond to questions, complaints, and emergency situations; take appropriate courses of action.
- Learn basic department operations.
Ability to:
- Be creative
- Problem solve
- Have attention to detail
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Coordinate efforts to ensure the City of Maple Grove is an equitable, inclusive, and respectful organization and supports the City's mission, vision, and core values.
- Demonstrate, understand, and respect the diversity of customers and co-workers, effectively communicating with individuals whose first language may be one other than English.
Qualifications
Any combination of experience that would likely provide the required knowledge is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Need to have:
- Enrollment in a Parks and Recreation college curriculum or related field – including but not limited to: Sport Management, Communications, Marketing, Education.
- 18 years old
- Valid driver's license
- Flexible schedule, ability to work nights and weekends
- Lift up to 40 lbs.
Nice to have:
- Enrolled in college program requiring an internship/work experience to complete degree requirements.
- Previous experience in areas:
- Social media or marketing
- Event planning/execution
- Customer Service
- Parks and Recreation
Supplemental Information
Environmental Conditions:
Ability to work in both office and outdoor environments. Exposure to all weather conditions and may require travel to various locations within the city.
Physical Conditions:
Physically able to sit and stand for long periods of time, and able lift and team lift for set up and take down of various events.