Recreation Therapy Intern

The San Ramon Parks and Community Services Department is certified through the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification, Inc. as a site qualified to accept Recreational Therapy Interns who are prepared to complete 600 hours of internship work. 

This internship opportunity is nonpaid.

The Intern Program

Under supervision of National and State certified Recreation Therapists, the program is designed to provide challenging work experiences in a municipal/community recreation setting while promoting an understanding of working in local government. The program is structured so that therapeutic interns will be exposed to active senior citizens, Alzheimer's/dementia, blindness/visual impairments, deafness/hearing impairments, public school students, youth at risk, developmental disabilities, and the Department's Inclusion program.  This program will provide the following objectives:

• Opportunity to expand the student's knowledge of the field of community-based recreation therapy;
• Opportunity to observe and practice the application of theory to real life situations;
• Learn firsthand what it means to be a professional in the recreation therapy field;
• Enable interns to realize their personal strengths and challenges;
• Assist interns to develop networking skills;
• Provide the opportunity to gain hands on experience in participant assessments, accommodations, documentation, program planning, and leadership functions within a community recreation setting;
• Provide a creative, collaborative and award winning environment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of data collection.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Principles of business letter writing.
• Basic principles of record-keeping.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Basic customer service practices.

Ability to: 

• Perform responsible clerical support work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems.
• File materials alphabetically, chronologically, and numerically. 
• Perform research; compile and evaluate data.
• Set priorities, adapt to changing priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work. 
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and word-processing, database, and spreadsheet application programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Safely operate assigned office equipment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Conduct one's self in a professional manner.
• Receive direction and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks.

Intern Selection Process Criteria

• Interns must obtain approval of their academic advisor before applying for an internship with the City of San Ramon Parks and Community Services Department;
• The intern will have had sufficient education and practical work experience to fulfill their university's requirements for internship eligibility;
• Exhibit good interview performance;
• Have an understanding of the needs of both the intern and the department;
• Show involvement with professional and/or academic organizations;
• Provide an essay expressing goals and objectives for the internship;
• Provide at least two letters of recommendation from an academic advisor;
• Have computer experience in Microsoft Office;

The City will not provide transportation or room and board during internship.The City of San Ramon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex origin, sexual orientation or disability.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Division at hr@sanramon.ca.gov.
Information contained herein, including the recruitment process, is subject to change without notice.