Department:

TransitAbout Our Job

This position will be responsible for delivering an exceptional experience that shows we value our current and future transit customers. The Transit Planning Intern will assemble research to inform the geography, frequency, modality, and other characteristics of modified and future transit services, ensuring the Breeze network meets the needs of income-vulnerable populations.

Experiences gained through this internship will include conducting in-person community research, creating a custom data set, making evidence-based conclusions about the behaviors of a population subset, navigating datasets commonly used in the planning industry, developing an interactive/visual representation of public transportation within the “affordability” context, interpreting the effects of land development and demographics on transportation patterns/behaviors, and interpreting the effects of the transportation network on the quality of life for low-income households.

Other learning experiences may be developed in relation to the intern’s interest and area of study within the field of public transit. The program will provide the intern with a constructive review and evaluation of his or her skills and competencies, providing growth opportunities and direction to further professional and educational development.

Job Description:

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 is 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:

Conduct short in-person, onboard interviews with transit ridersIdentify trip patterns that overlap among riders, especially within the low-income rider groupDevelop a transportation profile of the average low-income riderAssemble available wage and costs data (e.g., housing, childcare, commuting, etc.) from existing sources (e.g., Census ACS, United Way ALICE, The Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse, etc.) to develop a holistic profile of the average low-income riderCreate an interactive map (GIS) to analyze public transportation services within the context of affordability in Sarasota County.

Additional projects may include: performing similar analyses for other population subsets; developing a Back to College ad campaign for college students who will be returning to Sarasota County in the Fall; conducting research to support recommendations from Sarasota County’s Citizens Advisory Committee for Public Transportation (CACPT); documenting physical conditions of transit stops through field work; supporting other divisions within the Transit Department; and/or other special projects as assigned.

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 8, 2025.Participate in all organized intern events and trainings.

Your Internship Includes: 

In-person, on-site work!Competitive wage  Hands-on work experienceProfessional headshot1-1 mentoring with county staffProfessional Development Events:Civics 101 & Facility TourOwn Your CareerBusiness Etiquette & Professional NetworkingPhilanthropy & Your CareerBoard of County Commission Public Hearing SessionSpeaking for Success

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

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

At least 18 years old, or age 16-17 with parental consent.High school diploma, or equivalent (if applicable).Eligible to work in the United States – we love local, national, and international students! Active, enrolled student.Must be currently enrolled in a college/university, seeking a graduate (post-baccalaureate) degree or senior level graduate studies.

About Everything ElseProgram Dates: The 2025 internship program will begin on May 19, 2025 and end on August 8, 2025.  Internship Hours: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some departments vary. In-person, on-site at our various locations in Sarasota County. Location: Osprey Library, 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229Pay Range: $13 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on your credit hours earned. Returning interns earn an additional $0.50/hour, up to $1.00 for those returning for the third year. 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 Documents. You 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.