Internships

Health, Housing and Human Services

Olmsted County Health, Housing, and Human Services (HHH) works in partnership with the community and those we serve to promote and protect resiliency, equity, health, and well-being through authentic relationships and innovative solutions.

We are thrilled to partner with interns to accomplish this mission and build the workforce of the future. A wide range of opportunities are available to serve the diverse and unique needs of our community. We will partner with you to meet the needs of your academic program and your professional interests and aspirations.

Interns can be housed in these HHH departments, or a partnership between two areas can be explored:

  • Adult and Family Services
  • Child and Family Services
  • Community Corrections and Victim Services
  • Public Health

In addition, interns are encouraged to seek out opportunities to spend time during their internship learning about work in other departments within HHH, which in addition to the list above, may include:

  • Housing
  • Family Support and Assistance
  • Veteran Services

Interested in sharing and developing your skills with us?
Please complete the internship application that you are interested in. You can expect to hear from an intern coordinator within one week to discuss next steps.

Health, Housing and Human Services, and Public Health internship inquiries including social worker internships:
Community Corrections, Victim Services, Child and Family Services, Adult and Family Services, Housing Services, Disability Services, and Public Health Services.

Apply now

Note: Background checks are required for internships with Olmsted County. Background check results are reviewed on an individualized basis, considering the findings reported with the area of internship placement. There are no automatic disqualifiers. Some internships in Public Health may require proof of valid driver’s license and insurance. To be considered for an unpaid internship, applicants must be receiving college credit as part of their educational program. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, please visit our Volunteer Program website.

Questions?
If you have questions, please email OCHHHInternships@olmstedcounty.gov.

Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office internship program aims to help students enrolled in an accredited law enforcement program the opportunity to gain knowledge about the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and enhance their understanding of the criminal justice system. Each internship is scheduled to last about 12 weeks. Typically interns work weekdays with some evenings and weekends work as needed and when available. 

During their time with our office, interns will spend time in the following divisions/areas:

  • Patrol
  • Civil/Warrants
  • Training
  • Investigations
  • Narcotics
  • Weapons screening
  • Court security
  • Transports
  • Adult Detention Center

To be considered for an internship, candidates must be:

  • Currently enrolled in a law enforcement program requiring the internship as a part of the college curriculum.
  • Complete the selection process to include a background investigation and an oral interview.
  • Interested in learning about our office and the Law Enforcement profession.
  • Mature, motivated, ambitious, flexible, punctual, hardworking, and a self-starter.

Apply for the Sheriff's Office internship program here. 

Parks internships/volunteers

The mission of Olmsted County Parks is to foster an appreciation of the natural world through environmental education, natural resource management, and public participation in the stewardship of our park lands. Both volunteer opportunities and internship opportunities are available throughout the Parks system.

Internships

10–12-week internships are offered during summer months at both Oxbow Park and Chester Woods Park.

Internships - View & Apply

J-term internships may be offered outside of summer months. Please send park staff your resume and contact information at oxbow@olmstedcounty.gov or chesterwoods@olmstedcounty.gov

Olmsted County Parks internship description

Olmsted County Parks has paid internship opportunities at both Chester Woods and Oxbow Park. These internships are meant to introduce you to several aspects of the parks, such as leading public and school programs, creating interpretive signage, the daily husbandry of native Minnesota wild animals and not to mention learning the day-to-day operations and management of a regional parks.  Our hopes are to give you the most diverse opportunity you could have.

Qualifications:

  • At least 18 years of age.
  • Preferred minimum of one year college level study or equivalent experience.
  • Able to work in the United States.
  • Academic study in natural sciences, interpretation, education, recreation, zoology, biology, or related field is advantageous.
  • A valid Driver’s license.
  • Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Able to lift 50 pounds (Oxbow).

Responsibilities:

Chester Woods Park

  • Lead nature walks/hikes and programs for all ages.
  • Keep interpretive posters, signage and interpretive labels current.
  • Weekly checks on the natural playscape.
  • Assist in resource management of park lands including invasive species removal.
  • Assist with watercraft rental station.
  • Assist staff in the daily upkeep and maintenance needed throughout the park.
  • Assist in posting to park social media accounts.
  • Inspecting watercraft for aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Oxbow Park

  • Zoo animal care – diet prep, daily feeding, cleaning, animal enrichment, exhibit maintenance.
  • Present zoo animal and nature education programs to school age groups and the general public.
  • Participate in community science projects conducted at the park.
  • Promote the park and zoo as a nature center attendant as well as in the community during outreach programs.
  • Participate in resource management of park lands, including invasive species removal, as well as other park maintenance.
  • Create an individual internship capstone project to better the park and provide the intern with new skills and knowledge, under supervision of park staff.

Work schedule:

Workdays run in 8-hour shifts with a total of a 40-hour work week. This internship does require evening and weekend hours. It runs for a total of 12 weeks.

Volunteers

Olmsted County Parks are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist in the everyday running of their parks. The parks are dependent on the assistance of volunteers to help with many projects and tasks. There are opportunities at Chester Woods Park, Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, and Root River Park and the jobs vary greatly.

  • Grounds maintenance
  • Nature center attendant (Oxbow Only)
  • Minor carpentry
  • Wood stacking
  • Programming/Education
  • Animal care (Oxbow Only)
  • Invasive weed control
  • Controlled burns
  • Seed collection
  • Volunteer board positions
  • Grant writing
  • Trail maintenance
  • Trail patrol

If you are interested in sharing your backgrounds, passions, and skill sets with us, while perhaps learning a new skill or two, we would love to hear from you! To apply for volunteer opportunities in our Parks please fill out the application below. Questions that are marked with a red asterisk * are required fields and you will not be able to submit the application without answering them.

Parks Volunteer Application

Learn more about Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park.