About the Position

The Park Development Internship is a structured, extended-term internship designed for upper-level college students pursuing degrees in Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or related fields that require long-term practical experience.

Under the direction of the Park Planning & Development Manager, this apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on, professional-level experience in park design, planning, and construction project management. Apprentices will actively contribute to projects that shape the future of Wentzville’s park system while bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice.

Essential Job Duties
General Responsibilities

• Provide technical and administrative support for park development projects across multiple disciplines.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate project progress and outcomes.
• Attend staff and stakeholder meetings to contribute to planning and collaboration efforts.
• Ensure assigned tasks are completed on time, within budget, and in alignment with City standards.
• Provide professional, respectful service in all interactions with staff, contractors, and community members.
• Maintain compliance with City and departmental policies, procedures, and safety standards.

Landscape Architecture & Design

• Prepare detailed planting and irrigation plans with accuracy and adherence to regional standards.
• Create 3D visualizations and renderings using tools such as CAD, Photoshop, Lumion, and SketchUp.
• Conduct field verification of existing site conditions and translate findings into design updates.
• Research and recommend sustainable design solutions, including native plant palettes and stormwater strategies.
• Collaborate on presentation materials for elected officials, commissions, and public engagement events.
• Learn to perform survey and staking tasks for internal construction projects.

Park Planning & Development

• Assist in drafting long-range master plan components, including maps, analysis, and narrative sections.
• Support public engagement efforts through survey creation, visual materials, and workshop presentations.
• Evaluate development proposals and parkland acquisitions, preparing staff-level recommendations.
• Contribute to grant applications, including writing narratives, compiling budgets, and preparing attachments.
• Maintain and update GIS-based inventory datasets for capital planning and environmental stewardship.

Project Management

• Track project budgets, schedules, and deliverables, and assist in variance reporting.
• Coordinate with contractors and consultants on submittal reviews and minor RFIs.
• Document project progress through photography, field notes, and journals.
• Support issue and risk management by maintaining active project logs.
• Conduct site inspections and report on grading, planting, and accessibility compliance.

CADD & Technical Design

• Prepare construction drawings (site, grading, drainage, planting, hardscape) with minimal corrections required.
• Integrate survey data and as-built conditions into CAD/GIS systems.
• Produce technical specifications and details for smaller park improvement projects.
• Maintain consistent file standards and data management across CAD, GIS, and Adobe platforms.
• Develop composite mapping products overlaying zoning, utilities, and environmental data to support planning.

Ancillary Duties

• Follow all City and departmental procedures to meet operational and project goals.
• Provide timely progress updates to supervisors.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Why Join Us
This apprenticeship offers meaningful, real-world experience with one of Missouri’s fastest-growing communities. Apprentices gain exposure to all phases of park development—from planning and design to implementation—while contributing to projects that enhance quality of life for Wentzville residents.

Job Qualifications – Education, experience, and training that are required or desirable in order to effectively perform the job at the time of hire. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements and/or substitutions may be requested and require the approval of HR.

• Enrollment as an upper-level student (completion of three years at a four-year institution) in Landscape Architecture, Planning, Civil Engineering, Environmental Design, or a related degree program requiring an extended internship.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above.
• Minimum of 100 hours of prior related work, internship, or volunteer experience.
• Experience with AutoCAD, LandFX, SketchUp, Lumion, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or GIS software is desired.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and design specifications.
• Effective problem-solving skills with the ability to develop and implement solutions.
• Strong written, verbal, and graphic communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a professional team environment and maintain effective relationships with staff and the public.
• Competency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and project management software.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while meeting deadlines.
• Reliability, professionalism, and adaptability in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to provide exceptional service to internal and external customers.
• Ability to use good judgment and think rationally in difficult or stressful situations.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize routine and robust tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work under established processes and solve problems within defined parameters.  
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential job duty. Job requires being reliable, responsible and dependable.