Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department is providing hundreds of teens with summer employment and, oftentimes, it turns into full-time jobs with the department that last for decades.
This summer, the department hired approximately 380 seasonal staff members and added 50 summer youth interns across all of the department’s seven divisions — Parks, Recreation, Forestry, Special Events, Administration, Planning, Design, Natural Resources, Aquatics, Athletics, and Special Facilities.
“Parks and Recreation has created a repeating cycle of success,” Mayor Jane Castor said. “We extend opportunities to put promising young people in great summer positions, and they show us what they are capable of. It’s really impressive.”
The summer hires are vital for Parks and Recreation to be able to offer its wide range of day-and-night programming when school is out.
“We have plenty of success stories of young people excelling, and it happens every summer,” Parks and Recreation Director Tony Mulkey said. “It does make it more special when the kids who grew up in our rec centers come back and make an impact on the lives of the next generation.”
Jackie Brown started his career five years ago with Parks and Recreation as a seasonal employee. He then accepted a part-time position, before ultimately, landing a full-time opportunity at Copeland Park.
Jaylonni Rivera’s time with Parks and Recreation started in the fifth grade when she participated in various programs and activities at Forest Hills. This summer she is a seasonal employee, excited to give other children the same positive experiences she had when she was their age.
Jackie’s and Jaylonni’s stories are just two of many. Both are now encouraging others to follow in their footsteps and gain valuable work experience — or even full-time opportunities.