What are the responsibilities and job description for the Merchandise Internship (Summer 2025) position at Bismarck Larks?
The Bismarck Larks are offering an internship opportunity for a current college student with an interest in merchandising to gain experience and knowledge in merchandise management, inventory and sales. Bismarck Larks internships provide students with immersive, hands-on-learning to help position them for a career in the sports, entertainment and event industry upon graduation.
Who We Are
The Bismarck Larks joined the Northwoods League (NWL) in 2017. The NWL is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 25 teams, drawing more fans than any league of its kind. The NWL provides top college players from North America and beyond a summer collegiate baseball experience. More than 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball in the NWL’s 31-year history.
The Bismarck Larks became the first team in NWL history to win NWL Organization of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2017 & 2018). The Larks sold out 27 of 36 home games in 2017 (75%) and continued their success in 2018 selling out 30 of 36 home games with an average overall attendance of more than 68,000 fans.
In 2020, the Larks became the first sports team in the country to play safely with fans in the stands during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Larks sold out 92% of every ticket and were named one of the top 30 employers in sports by Front Office Sports in the company of the Denver Broncos and Savannah Bananas.
In 2023, the Larks were viral for rebranding to the Missouri River Motorboaters, hosted the NWL All-Star Game aired on ESPNU, aired two games on NBC - North Dakota, debuted the NWL’s biggest videoboard, and hosted fans from 33 different states.
The Larks are committed to their mission of using FUN to make a difference in the lives of our community, employees, players, and interns.
The Internship Position
The Bismarck Larks are looking for a Merchandise Intern to join their team in Bismarck, North Dakota for the 2025 season. As the Merchandise Intern you will help support our merchandise and ballpark operations teams. This includes but is not limited to: executing merchandise operations, developing strong marketing and sales tactics, providing the highest level of service to fans, players and staff, and serving as a Larks representative at various promotions, events, Larks games and Funatix events.
Start Date: May 5, 2025
End Date: August 17, 2025
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should be studying a subject in a relevant field. This may include but is not limited to Sport Management, Event Management, Hospitality, Business, Marketing, Sales, Merchandising.
Roles and Responsibilities
Pre-Season Responsibilities:
- Merchandise inventory
- Merchandise store setup including pre-season cleaning and stocking
Game Day Responsibilities:
- Merchandise store setup and operation
- Cash handling and credit card transactions
- End of home stand inventory reports completed and sent to Vice President of Ballpark Operations
Post Game Responsibilities:
- General cleaning of merchandise store
- Merchandise pickup and storage
- Any other request made by front office personnel
Post Season Responsibilities:
- Collect merchandise and complete inventory of collected items
- Cleaning & organization of merchandise stand and storage room
General Team Responsibilities
- Game and Team Event Availability: Expected to be available for all Bismarck Larks home games and team events, this includes weekends and holidays.
- Funatix Event Availability: Expected to be available for all Funatix Events including but not limited to the Mandan Rodeo Days, company picnics, festivals, etc. Full event list will be provided. This includes weekends and holidays.
- Game Day and Event Hours: Expected to be available from mid to late morning through the end of the game and/or event. Schedule will be decided by the direct supervisor on a homestand and event basis.
- Non-Game Day/Event Hours: Expected to attend office hours of 9 AM-5 PM each weekday.
- Assist with distribution of team pocket schedules, posters and other marketing materials throughout the stadium and community
- Assist with ballpark set-up and tear-down before-the-season, after-the-season and during each homestand
- Assist with event set-up and tear-down at team events and Funatix Events
- Assist with Family Fun zone set-up and tear-down
- Maintain ballpark cleanliness including but not limited to: cleaning tables, chairs, Family Fun Zone area, etc.
- Every intern will be required to perform as the mascot at least once during the summer
- All other duties as assigned by Larks front office staff
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Availability to work all home games, team events and Funatix Events
- Cash handling experience
- Customer service and/or management experience preferred
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Sheets
- The ability to work extended hours upwards of 14 hours and lift 30-50 lbs
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Must be a team player with strong leadership and communication skills
- Must be enthusiastic with a desire to work hard and have a positive “can‐do” attitude
- Ability to multi‐task and handle responsibility
- Self‐ motivated and ability to take initiative
- Enthusiastic team player, shows enjoyment and interest in working collaboratively
- Uphold our core values: Best, Uplift, Nerve, Teamwork. These core values set the tone in everything we do, help us succeed on and off the field, make a difference in the community and provide the best experience in sports. It is important that the person in the position commits themselves to these core values.
- Uphold our service vision: Happy People Making People Happy. We want people who love what they do, who find joy in making others laugh or smile, who want to use fun and happiness to make a difference in the lives of coworkers, clients and fans.
Reports To: Vice President, Operations
Stipend & Housing: This is an unpaid internship. Team does offer a stipend to help cover expenses such as housing, transportation, food etc. Team offers 2 options to accommodate interns who are local and interns will travel to Bismarck for the internship.
Option 1-
Stipend-$1000/Month
Housing-Not Provided. Intern is responsible for providing their own housing.
Option 2-
Stipend-$500/Month
Housing- Provided. Intern is responsible for deposit and utilities.
Credit: College credit towards a major, minor or general elective may be earned.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
Salary : $500 - $1,000
