Records Management Intern (City of Sparks Fire Department, Pack Intern, Spring '27)

**This internship is hosted by the City of Sparks Fire Department and sponsored by the Nevada Career Studio and ASUN. 

Students are highly encouraged to complete a 15-minute drop-in or schedule an in-person or virtual 30-minute appointment with a Career Mentor BEFORE submitting an application. Resumes and cover letters that do not meet NCS best practices will not be included in applicant packages to employers. 

After the application period closes in Handshake, the NCS Internships Team reviews the applicants and sends eligible students' applicant packages to employers for them to reach out to conduct interviews and make the final intern selection. Employers will contact students directly if they are interested in moving forward with them as a candidate. 

City of Sparks Fire Department 

About the City of Sparks Fire Department: 

The City of Sparks is a growing community in northern Nevada, located in the Truckee Meadows along the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. Known as part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, Sparks provides a wide range of municipal services to residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the community. 

The City of Sparks operates under a council-manager form of government, with the Mayor and City Council providing policy direction and the City Manager overseeing the City's day-to-day operations. The City Council serves as the City's legislative and policy-making body, addressing community priorities, major projects, infrastructure, land use, finances, and strategic planning. 

The City provides a broad range of municipal services, including public safety, community development and planning, streets and infrastructure, parks and recreation, wastewater and stormwater services, and general government functions. Public safety services include the Sparks Police Department and the Sparks Fire Department. 

The Sparks Fire Department provides fire and emergency services to the community, including fire suppression, emergency medical response, fire prevention, and related public safety services. The department also works with regional partners to provide coordinated emergency services throughout the Truckee Meadows.  

The City of Sparks continues to focus on public safety, responsible growth, infrastructure, community development, and effective delivery of municipal services. Through collaboration with regional partners, including the City of Reno and Washoe County, the City and Sparks Fire Department work to provide coordinated services and support a safe and thriving community. 

Internship Description: 

The Fire Records Management Intern is an entry-level internship position designed to provide practical experience in records organization, document management, data entry, and administrative support within a municipal fire department. 

The intern will work under the direction of the Administrative Assistant and Fire Department staff to assist with a project focused on improving the organization, retention, digitization, and accessibility of Sparks Fire Department records. The intern will work with department personnel to organize existing records, assist with moving applicable documents into designated electronic systems, and help establish consistent practices for storing and maintaining department records. 

This position is intended for an individual who is organized, detail-oriented, and interested in learning about records management and the administrative functions that support a professional public safety organization. The intern will receive direction and support throughout the project. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

The intern will assist with the department’s records retention and digitization project. Duties may include organizing paper and electronic records, scanning and uploading documents into applicable department systems, entering basic record information, and applying established file naming and organizational practices. 

The intern will assist with reviewing records for completeness, identifying duplicate or improperly filed documents, and comparing paper records with existing electronic records to help identify items that need to be added or updated. The intern will maintain organized files, document project progress, follow established procedures for handling confidential information, and communicate questions or concerns to the Administrative Assistant or appropriate Fire Department staff. 

Goals and Expectations of the Intern: 

• Complete 120 hours of work as an intern (8-15 hours per week, 15 weeks total) 
• The intern will be expected to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and discretion while working within the Sparks Fire Department. Because the intern may be exposed to sensitive department information and public safety-related projects, maintaining confidentiality and exercising good judgment will be important throughout the internship. 
• During the internship, the intern will assist the Administrative Assistant and Fire Department staff with the department’s records retention and digitization project. The intern will gain practical experience by organizing paper and electronic records, scanning and uploading documents, entering information into applicable systems, and helping ensure records are organized and accessible. The intern will be expected to complete assigned tasks accurately and maintain consistent organization throughout the project. 
• The intern should communicate effectively with department staff, ask questions when clarification or additional direction is needed, and demonstrate a willingness to learn and take initiative. By the end of the internship, the intern should show growth in research and analytical abilities, written and verbal communication, organization, and overall understanding of working in a professional public safety environment. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno during the Spring ‘27 semester 
• December ‘26 or earlier graduates are not eligible for the Pack Internship Grant Program
• Reliable, professional, and able to handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail 
• Basic research, writing, and critical-thinking skills 
• Comfortable working with information, data, and standard office tools 
• Basic proficiency with spreadsheets, word processing, and other common office applications 
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills 
• Able to work independently and effectively as part of a team 
• Willingness to learn and take direction from department staff 
• Ability to manage multiple routine tasks and meet established deadlines 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Coursework or interest in public administration, political science, criminal justice, public policy, data analytics, or a related field 
• Familiarity with local government, public safety, or municipal operations 
• Experience preparing written materials such as reports, summaries, presentations, or other professional documents 
• Interest in public service with a practical, problem-solving approach 
• Demonstrates initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to identify opportunities for improvement 

Desired Schedule for Intern:  

Applicants should generally be available to work Tuesday through Thursday between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Scheduling is flexible around class commitments and will be coordinated with the supervisor. Occasional adjustments to the schedule may be requested to accommodate specific department meetings, events, or other business needs, with advance notice. 

PIGP internships require interns to complete 120 hours during their internship. It is the intern’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.