Internships
Health, Housing and Human Services
Health, Housing and Human Services internship inquiries including social worker internships:
Community Corrections, Children and Family Services, Adult and Family Services, Housing Services, Integrated Behavioral Health, Disability Services, Family Support and Assistance.
Public Health internship inquiries:
Olmsted County Public Health Services Internship Application
Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office internship program aims to help students enrolled in an accredited law enforcement program the opportunity to gain knowledge about the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and enhance their understanding of the criminal justice system. Each internship is scheduled to last about 12 weeks and is unpaid. Typically interns work weekdays with some evenings and weekends work as needed and when available.
During their time with our office, interns will spend time in the following divisions/areas:
- Patrol
- Civil/Warrants
- Training
- Investigations
- Narcotics
- Weapons Screening
- Court Security
- Transports
- Adult Detention Center
To be considered for an internship, candidates must be:
- Currently enrolled in a law enforcement program requiring the internship as a part of the college curriculum.
- Complete the selection process to include a background investigation and an oral interview.
- Interested in learning about our office and the Law Enforcement profession.
- Mature, motivated, ambitious, flexible, punctual, hardworking, and a self-starter.
Apply for the Sheriff's Office internship program here.
Parks Internships/Volunteers
The mission of Olmsted County Parks is to foster an appreciation of the natural world through environmental education, natural resource management, and public participation in the stewardship of our park lands. Both volunteer opportunities and internship opportunities are available throughout the Parks system.
Internships
10–12-week internships are offered during summer months at both Oxbow Park and Chester Woods Park.
J-term internships may be offered outside of summer months. Please send park staff your resume and contact information at oxbow@olmstedcounty.gov or chesterwoods@olmstedcounty.gov
Olmsted County Parks Internship Description
Olmsted County Parks has paid 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 a regional parks. Our hopes are to give you the most diverse opportunity you could have.
Qualifications:
- At least 18 years of age
- Preferred minimum of one year college level study or equivalent experience
- Able to work in the United States
- Academic study in natural sciences, interpretation, education, recreation, Zoology, biology, or related field is advantageous
- A Valid Driver’s license
- Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Able to lift 50lbs (Oxbow)
Responsibilities:
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)
Oxbow Park
- 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
Work schedule:
Workdays run in 8-hour shifts with a total of a 40-hour work week. This internship does require evening and weekend hours. It runs for a total of 12 weeks.
Volunteers
Olmsted County Parks are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist in the everyday running of their parks. The parks are dependent on the assistance of volunteers to help with many projects and tasks. There are opportunities at Chester Woods Park, Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, and Root River Park and the jobs vary greatly.
- Grounds maintenance
- Nature Center Attendant (Oxbow Only)
- Minor carpentry
- Wood stacking
- Programming/Education
- Animal Care (Oxbow Only)
- Invasive Weed Control
- Controlled Burns
- Seed Collection
- Volunteer Board Positions
- Grant Writing
- Trail maintenance
- Trail Patrol
If you are interested in sharing your backgrounds, passions, and skill sets with us, while perhaps learning a new skill or two, we would love to hear from you! To apply for volunteer opportunities in our Parks please fill out the application below. Questions that are marked with a red asterisk * are required fields and you will not be able to submit the application without answering them.
Learn more about Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park.