Internship Program


Bismarck Parks and Recreation District (BPRD) offers an engaging and educational internship program. In which, community college, college undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates can apply traditional academic classroom learning into real-world work experience within a local government parks agency, to develop technical skills for career development. The internship goal is to provide interns with the following opportunities:

  • Gain practical experience in the parks and recreation industry.
  • Understand the impact of park and recreation infrastructure and services to the community and how the agency operates in a municipal government setting.
  • Understand the duties and responsibilities of parks and recreation jobs and career paths in the industry.
  • Become involved in activities that will develop professional skills and foster professionalism.
  • Determine professional strengths and areas in which to grow/improve.
  • Develop an understanding of the organizational environment and administrative procedures.

This 12-week paid internship provides a rewarding and valuable experience for those seeking introductory work experience, and/or college credit.

Internship Eligibility

Applicants must be a student enrolled in a community college, undergraduate, graduate, or recent graduate pursuing a degree in park/recreation administration, business or public administration, community engagement, marketing/communications, and/or similar relevant majors.

Internship Qualifications

BPRD is looking for applicants with the following required qualifications:

  • Are motivated self-starters, able to flexibly work independently and work effectively in a team environment.
  • Have humility and a desire to work on a variety of assignments, from daily tasks to high priority park projects.
  • Have a basic understanding of parks and recreation operations, programs or community outreach strategies.
  • Can provide support to a small team of staff, potentially including assisting staff at community meetings.

Internship Pay, Schedule & Location

  • Salary adjustments are determined on an annual basis by the Board of Park Commissioners
  • The internship time commitment is at least 20 hours per week. Specific internship schedules will be determined upon internship offer, but it will be routine week to week between Mondays – Fridays 8:00am – 5:00pm. Evening and weekend work may also be required.

The internship schedule will be determined and based on interns’ availability. Interns will work at the BPRD main office and may have periodic fieldwork at other facilities within the district.

For additional questions, please contact RaNae Jochim at rjochim@bisparks.org.