MWR Internship, Staten Island, New York

DESCRIPTION:  U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York (SECNY) has two intern locations:  Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York and Detachment Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook NJ.   Fort Wadsworth and Sandy Hook are part of the Gateway National Park, operated by the National Park Service.  Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City.  Transportation to the Fort is convenient from a number of modes of transportation:  air (Newark is most convenient airport); bus (via Port Authority); and train (Penn Station or Grand Central Station).  Fort Wadsworth Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation (MWR) facilities/activities on the installation includes a complete Fitness Center, Gymnasium, Tennis Court, Softball Field, Outdoor Basketball Court, Family Meeting Center,  Outdoor Recreation Gear Locker, Guest Quarters, and an extensive Information Tickets and Tours Office.  Sandy Hook MWR facilities include a swimming pool, Community Center, Outdoor Recreation Gear Locker, Tennis Court, Fitness Center, and a small Gymnasium.   Interns may have an opportunity to conduct some program activities for a limited time at an alternate location - Sandy Hook and Bayonne NJ.  Interns can expect to gain operational and programming experience in a number of these MWR facilities or activities, ending the internship with some time spent in the MWR Director’s office.  Click here to visit their web site for more information.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  SECNY seeks interns with emphases in abilities to gain experience in programming and operation of any of the above facilities or activities.  Sandy Hook candidates must have a strong aquatic background.  Must be a student in good standing pursuing an undergraduate/graduate degree in recreation or other MWR-related field and identified as such by an institution of higher learning having an affiliation agreement with the Coast Guard.

SUPERVISOR QUALIFICATIONS:  Mr. Richard Davis, MWR Activities Coordinator for SECNY, has over 27 years of direct MWR program management experience.  Rick has a BS in Physical Education for Schools and Agencies from Springfield College, in Springfield Massachusetts.  He began his career in the YMCA program, as a Physical Director at the Tri-Cities YMCA in Petersburg, Virginia, and later a Program Director at Wilkes-Barre YMCA, in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania.  He worked for a number of years in private industry, in restaurant management.  He joined Team Coast Guard in 1984, as Sports Director for Support Center New York at Governors Island.  In 1996, he became the MWR Director for SECNY after closure of Governors Island and the relocation of the New York Coast Guard to Staten Island.  He has a wide variety of sports experience including coach of a women’s gymnastic team and an age-group swim team.  Rick is an active volunteer with the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife, teaching youth and adult programs, and serves on the Armed Forces Recreation Society (AFRS) Board of Directors as the Mid-Atlantic Region Representative representing Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.

HOUSING:  Housing in the dorm rooms may be provided based on availability.  Housing will be coordinated will the MWR Director once accepted at this location. 

MEALS:  Meals will be provided.  There is a dining facility that serves three meals per day on the installation.  Students will coordinate meals with the SECNY MWR Director once accepted at this location.

PAY:  No pay, this is a volunteer position.

TRAVEL:  Travel to and from the internship is the responsibility of the student.  Arrangements may be made for pick up at the airport by contacting the SECNY MWR Director prior to arrival.  Contact information will be provided to you once selected for the internship.

AVAILABILITY:  Intern positions are open for a 12 to 16 week duration, or as required by the school, on a year-round basis.

TO APPLY:  Application deadline is 1 March for summer semester internships, and at least 45 days in advance for other semesters.  Planning ahead is most important especially if we need to establish an affiliation agreement with your university.  Send a resume with cover letter, official transcripts, and letter of recommendation to: