"Alerted.org

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

Department:

Public Utilities

About Our Job

Sarasota County’s Public Utilities Department is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented college intern to support the Utility with a focus on public procurement. This internship offers a unique opportunity for students pursuing degrees Business Administration, Finance, or Public Administration or related fields to gain hands-on experience in County-level utility operations, data analysis, sourcing, purchasing, receiving, and contract administration.

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 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:

+ Procurement Review and Analysis: Review, research, and analyze procurement requests to ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations; make recommendations for appropriate procurement methods.

+ Project Coordination: Assist in preparing project quotes and coordinate pre-bid meetings, site visits, and related activities to facilitate clear communication between vendors and project stakeholders.

+ Risk Management Coordination: Work closely with County Risk Management to determine and verify insurance requirements for individual purchases and contracts.

+ Insurance Documentation Management: Track, obtain, and maintain Certificates of Insurance (COIs) to ensure vendor compliance with contract insurance provisions; log and update records in procurement systems.

+ Contract Administration Support: Participate in contract kick-off meetings to support clear understanding of contract terms, deliverables, and expectations among stakeholders.

+ Vendor Performance Monitoring: Assist in conducting annual vendor performance surveys; compile and analyze feedback to support performance evaluations and vendor relationship management.

+ Vendor Pricing Analysis: Review, research, and analyze vendor pricing proposals and adjustments; prepare recommendations to support cost-effective and competitive purchasing decisions.

+ Contract Negotiations and Vendor Meetings: Attend contract negotiation sessions and vendor performance meetings and document discussions and follow up on action items to ensure accountability.

+ Special Projects and Department Support: Contribute to special projects including preparation of staff handouts, updates to procurement-related website content, and coordination of vendor tradeshows or outreach events.

+ Collaborate with your department colleagues to make and influence real changes.

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

Learn more about the internship program at: scgov.net/intern (https://www.scgov.net/government/internships)

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:

+ Pursuing a degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Public Administration.

+ Proficiency or working knowledge in Smartsheet and Microsoft Suite.

+ Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple data sets simultaneously.

+ Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, suitable for technical and public outreach contexts.

+ Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while taking initiative on individual tasks.

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 Documents (http://www.scgov.net/home/showpublisheddocument/66596/638617478290291353) . 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 (https://www.scgov.net/government/human-resources/employee-health-and-benefits) .

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.