Job Description

Intern Sarasota County is proud to be #VaultRanked as one of the Top 150 Internships for 2026!

Department:

Health and Human Services

About Our Job

This is a unique opportunity for an inquisitive self-motivated, and creative individual to make a positive impact on Sarasota County. Sarasota County Government is seeking an intern in the Health and Human Services department.

This internship offers the opportunity to gain additional experience in the delivery and Aging System of Care within the Human Services Department. Additionally, other learning experiences can be developed in relation to intern’s interest and area of study within the field of human services (behavioral health, child welfare, criminal justice, homelessness & poverty). Specific interest area available for this internship is aging system of care. The program will provide the intern with a constructive review and evaluation of their skills and competencies, providing growth opportunities and direction to further professional and educational development.

Are you interested in getting hands-on experience in your chosen field? Do you want to make a difference in your community?

Intern Sarasota County dedicated to providing students with an unsurpassed learning experience and insight into the dynamic world of public sector employment.

Develop new skills you can apply in the workplace Gain skills that will enhance your resume and increase your career options while exploring public service! Observe and participate in tasks and responsibilities performed daily by skilled professionals. Experience workplace culture, office dynamics, and business etiquette.

Your internship will include impactful hands-on work within a department, networking, professional development, and building long lasting connections with other interns, mentors, and Sarasota County team members.

Department Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and monitor a coordinated action plan that advances Age-Friendly Sarasota priorities in alignment with community needs, best practices, and local planning efforts.
• Translate community assessments, stakeholder input, and data into measurable goals, strategies, and timelines.
• Work closely with Sarasota Community Health Action Teams (CHAT) to ensure alignment with broader community health priorities.
• Facilitate meetings and collaborative planning sessions to support shared ownership of the action plan.
• Attend Contracted Human Service meetings and assist in monitoring contracts, as needed.
• Author draft reports, memos, etc.
• Collaborate with your department colleagues to make and influence real changes.

Ideal competencies for this position include but are not limited to: analyze data to understand and convey to others the results, develop/maintain positive relationships, knowledge/interest in human services programs and budgeting, ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing; flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced atmosphere; along with creative problem-solving skills.

Internship Program Responsibilities:

• A presentation to the County Administrator and other County Leadership staff is required at the close of the internship program on Friday, August 7, 2026.
• Participate in all organized intern events and trainings.

Your Internship Includes:

• Competitive wage
• Hands-on work experience
• Professional headshot
• 1-1 mentoring with county staff
• Professional Development Events:
  • Civics 101 & Facility Tour
  • Own Your Career
  • Business Etiquette & Professional Networking
  • Philanthropy & Your Career
  • Board of County Commission Public Hearing Session
  • Speaking for Success
• Opportunity to job shadow in other departments

Location: 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236

Learn more about the internship program at: scgov.net/intern

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ages 16-17 with parental consent, or 18 and above.
• Eligible to work in the United States – we love local, national, and international students!
• Active, enrolled student.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, public health, public administration, aging, or public policy or closely related field.

About Everything Else

• Program Dates: The 2026 internship program will begin on May 18, 2026 and end on August 7, 2026
• Internship Hours: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some departments vary.
• Pay Range: $15 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on your credit hours earned.

Employee Type:

Seasonal (Fixed Term) (Seasonal)

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day DocumentsYou will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)

Benefits:

Employee benefits and Florida Retirement System contributions are not available for seasonal and temporary positions. Positions marked Full Time and Regular (Budgeted) are eligible for benefits, for more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.