Morale, Well-being, and Recreation Internship Job

Vacancy No. DEST-12772122-25-CEB Department U.S. Coast Guard
Salary $0.01 to $15.00 Grade 1 to 1
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/28/2025 Close Date 7/27/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Kodiak, AKNew London, CTBaltimore, MDAguadilla, PR


Summary

This position is part of the Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation (MWR) Internship Program, which offers both paid and unpaid internship opportunities. The program is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in recreation, youth services, business operations, special events, marketing, and more within the United States Coast Guard's MWR programs.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Accepting applications. Offering Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter internships. Must start application 60 days before the internships begins.

Duties

Internships are available at the following Coast Guard locations:

  • Base Portsmouth, VA
  • Base Kodiak, AK
  • U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT
  • Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore, MD
  • Base Borinquen, PR
Responsibilities

As an MWR Intern, you will:
  • Assist with planning and delivering community recreation and special events.
  • Support fitness and wellness programming and outreach.
  • Work with youth and child development programs (location dependent).
  • Gain exposure to food & beverage, lodging, and recreational business operations.
  • Contribute to social media and marketing efforts.
  • Provide quality customer service to military members and their families.
  • Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and cross-functional team projects.
  • Complete a final project or summary presentation of your experience.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident eligible to work in the United States.
  • Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university.
  • Must be able to pass a background check.
  • Must apply at least 60 days prior to your desired internship start date.
  • Must meet any physical requirements relevant to the location (e.g., standing, lifting, working outdoors).
  • If selected, a suitability background investigation will be conducted for your position. Assignment decisions-including participation and continued placement-are at the sole discretion of the Community Services Command (CSC) or hosting command.

Qualifications

Internship candidates should:
  • Be actively enrolled in a degree program in Recreation, Hospitality, Fitness, Sports Management, Child & Youth Development, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Be in good academic standing.
  • Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Show professionalism, initiative, and enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, service-focused environment.

Education

You must be currently enrolled at least half-time in an accredited college or university. A transcript or verification of enrollment may be required.

Some internships may qualify for academic credit-please confirm with your institution.

Additional information

  • Housing and some meals are provided at select locations.
  • Internship length and duties vary by site and season.
  • Interns are not federal employees but may be eligible for limited benefits depending on funding and assignment.
  • This is a valuable opportunity to gain real-world experience while supporting service members and their families.
  • Please review supplemental links (located on the internship webpage) for:
    • Duty descriptions.
    • Program expectations.
    • Application process details.
  • https://www.coastguardmwr.org/internships.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will also be reviewed based on:

  • Resume and education.
  • Alignment with program goals.
  • Availability and preferred location(s).
  • Optional cover letter or advisor recommendations.

Required Documents

  • Resume.
  • Academic transcript or proof of enrollment.
  • (Optional) Cover letter.
  • (Optional) Advisor letter (if seeking academic credit).

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Submit your application via email to: feedback@uscgmwr.org
Subject Line: [Your Last Name] - MWR Internship Application - [Preferred Location]
Please include:

  1. Your resume.
  2. Cover letter/Essay (include location of interest and desired semester on cover).
  3. Official transcript.
  4. Letter of recommendation.
Also include:
  • Preferred internship dates.
  • Location preferences (ranked, if multiple).
  • Whether you are seeking a paid or unpaid position.
Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted no later than 60 days before the desired internship start date.

Agency contact information

MWR Internship Program Manager
Address
United States Coast Guard, Community Services Command
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20593
US

Next steps

Please read the "How You Will Be Evaluated Section."

Additional Locations

  • Portsmouth, VA


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements