Parks & Recreation
Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs

Employment / Internships

Applications and detailed job descriptions are available by contacting:

City of Columbia, Missouri
Human Resource Department
600 E Broadway
Columbia, Missouri 65201
(Voice) 573.874.7235
(TTY) 573.874.6395

Seasonal Jobs

These are temporary positions that are seasonal in nature. Seasonal employees do not receive benefits such as health insurance, vacation, or holiday pay.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and maintain a valid Missouri driver's license for the Park Services seasonal jobs.

Seasonal job openings

Aquatics Jobs Information

Intern opportunities

The Columbia Parks & Recreation Department offers opportunities for internships to students in leisure service study areas. Student may select from three methods (where possible) of performing an internship. The areas of major emphasis include athletics, recreation centers, senior adults, individuals with disabilities, special populations, at-risk youth programs, aquatics, golf and parks services. The options are:

PAID JOB FUNCTIONS - Students who wish to perform an internship in this manner must submit an application for employment. These positions exist where a normal budgeted vacancy exists. The intern is considered with all other applicants for the position (generally a part-time or seasonal position) and the most qualified candidate(s) are selected. If the intern is selected, they will perform the paid job function. In addition to those responsibilities, they will be expected to gain experience in other areas of the Department and this related educational exposure will not be compensated.
NON-PAID INTERNSHIP - Students may complete an internship by working in a non-paid capacity. They will be assigned a specific responsibility which is not normally performed through a budgeted position and will also be given educational exposure to other areas of the Departmental operation.
BLENDED POSITION - This position is a combination of (1) and (2) listed above.

Students who are accepted for an internship will be assigned to a professional Parks & Recreation Supervisor. The requirements of the intern’s University will be met in terms of hours worked, reporting, counseling and grading.

For more information contact:

Erika Coffman , Recreation Services Manager
Columbia Parks & Recreation Department
P. O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205-6015
573-874-7572
E-Mail: ELCoffma@GoColumbiaMo.com

Internships will be handled in the same manner as a job application. This includes a completed City of Columbia Application for Employment, a resume and an interview. Additional interviews may be required prior to actual placement. Preference will be given to students in an MPRA approved or NRPA accredited leisure service curriculum.

The Parks and Recreation Department has two divisions: Park Services and Recreation Services. Below is a description of each division and their programs.

Park Services
The staff of the Park Services Division is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining all park facilities. These include parks, trails, golf courses, athletic fields, and pools. The Park Services divisions include construction, forestry, golf course and athletic field maintenance, horticulture, park maintenance, and park planning. Most Park Services employees work out of the Park Management Center at 1507 Business Loop 70 West. Golf course employees report directly to their assigned courses.

Recreation Services
Recreation Services Division is responsible for the operation of facilities and provides a broad spectrum of leisure services to meet the needs of all segments of the community. This includes group and individual programming to promote a high quality of life through positive social, cultural, psychological, emotional, and physiological development. The sections administered in the Recreation Services Division are; Adaptive; Outdoor and Community Recreation; Golf/Concessions; Senior Programming; Intergenerational and Life Enrichment Programs and Classes; and Oak Tours for ages 50 and over. Many of the areas plan and implement city-wide special events.

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