For seasonal employment (gameday positions), please contact Staffing Inc. at (616) 784-1182.
The Whitecaps and Berlin Raceway have no full-time positions available at this time.
2008 WHITECAPS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The West Michigan Whitecaps and Berlin Raceway offer an excellent internship program where college students or recent college graduates can gain valuable experience in the sports industry.
The purpose of the Whitecaps/Berlin Raceway internship program is to provide an extensive hands-on career development program that assists young adults with the selection of appropriate careers. We provide work positions that are meaningful and compatible with their education and aspirations. We also offer guidance in the job search process, from resume writing, to utilizing our network of peers in the industry to assist qualified individuals in seeking out available positions at the completion of their internships.
Many former interns have gone on to secure positions in the industry. Whitecaps internship alumni have worked for such organizations as the Detroit Tigers, Durham Bulls, Lake Elsinore Storm, San Bernardino Stampede, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Michigan Battle Cats, Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Vipers, Sacramento Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Storm, Toledo Storm, Daytona International Speedway, ESPN, Baseball America and, of course, with the Whitecaps and Berlin Raceway.
Below are the internship job descriptions:
TICKET SALES INTERNS (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: January 2, 2008
Duties: Duties include developing ticket plan and group sales opportunities for the West Michigan Whitecaps and Berlin Raceway. Prospect for new sales accounts through inside and outside sales. Effectively prospect, present and follow through with customers to ensure fan satisfaction. Develop and enhance relationship with current clients. Assist other departments with special projects as requested or needed. Project a positive image to all at all times. Exposure to all areas of ticketing.
Other Duties: Assist other departments with player appearances, covering phones, etc.
Qualifications: Must be outgoing, tactful, courteous, friendly, and professional in an atmosphere of many demands and frequent interruptions. Team player, excellent interpersonal skills, phone skills, and organizational skills. Ability to perceive problems, suggest, and trouble-shoot solutions proactively. Excellent customer relations skills a must. ticketing system knowledge, knowledge of baseball industry and computer skills a plus.
Contact: Chad Sayen, Director of Ticket Sales
TICKET ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAMS INTERN (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: December 10, 2007
Duties: Duties include developing ticket plan and group sales opportunities for the West Michigan Whitecaps and Berlin Raceway for new sales accounts through inside and outside sales. Major focus of internship will be on managing Reading Club program, including development of correspondence, follow-through of program, and updates of progress. Responsible for overall success of program. Effectively prospect, present, and follow through with customers to ensure fan satisfaction. Develop and enhance relationships with current clients. Assist other departments with special projects as requested or needed. Project a positive image to all at all times. Exposure to all areas of ticketing.
Other Duties: Assist other departments with player appearances, covering phones, etc.
Qualifications: Must be outgoing, tactful, courteous, friendly, and professional in an atmosphere of many demands and frequent interruptions. Team player, excellent interpersonal skills, phone skills, and organizational skills. Ability to perceive problems, suggest, and trouble-shoot solutions proactively. Excellent customer relations skills a must. ticketing system knowledge, knowledge of baseball industry and computer skills a plus.
Contact: Chad Sayen, Director of Ticket Sales
TICKET OPERATIONS INTERN (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: March 1, 2008
Duties: Duties include developing ticket plan and group sales opportunities for the West Michigan Whitecaps and Berlin Raceway for new sales accounts through inside and outside sales. Assist in sale, printing, accounting, and distribution of individual tickets. Process ticket orders at ticket window, as well as phone, fax, and mail orders. Work closely with Fifth Third Ballpark Ticket Operations Manager in all ticket office functions. Effectively prospect, present, and follow through with customers to ensure fan satisfaction. Develop and enhance relationships with current clients. Assist other departments with special projects as requested or needed. Project a positive image to all at all times. Exposure to all areas of ticketing.
Other Duties: Assist other departments with player appearances, covering phones, etc.
Qualifications: Must be outgoing, tactful, courteous, friendly, and professional in an atmosphere of many demands and frequent interruptions. Team player, excellent interpersonal skills, phone skills, and organizational skills. Ability to perceive problems, suggest, and trouble-shoot solutions proactively. Excellent customer relations skills a must. ticketing system knowledge, knowledge of baseball industry and computer skills a plus.
Contact: Meghan Brennan, Box Office Manager
TICKET OPERATIONS INTERN - BERLIN RACEWAY (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Berlin Raceway
Start Date: February 1, 2008
Duties: Duties include developing ticket plan and group sales opportunities for the West Michigan Whitecaps and Berlin Raceway for new sales accounts through inside and outside sales. Assist in sale, printing, accounting, and distribution of individual tickets. Process ticket orders at ticket window, as well as phone, fax, and mail orders. Work closely with Berlin Raceway Ticket Operations Manager in all ticket office functions. Effectively prospect, present, and follow through with customers to ensure fan satisfaction. Develop and enhance relationships with current clients. Assist other departments with special projects as requested or needed. Project a positive image to all at all times. Exposure to all areas of ticketing.
Other Duties: Assist other departments with driver appearances, covering phones, etc.
Qualifications: Must be outgoing, tactful, courteous, friendly, and professional in an atmosphere of many demands and frequent interruptions. Team player, excellent interpersonal skills, phone skills, and organizational skills. Ability to perceive problems, suggest, and trouble-shoot solutions proactively. Excellent customer relations skills a must. ticketing system knowledge, knowledge of baseball industry and computer skills a plus.
Contact: Chad Sayen, Director of Ticket Sales
PROMOTIONS / MARKETING INTERN (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: February 1, 2008
Duties: Assist with coordination of marketing and promotions at both venues. Assist Marketing Manager in planning, developing, implementing and overseeing promotions including purchasing, generating correspondence and execution on-site during the games/races, as well as other special projects.
Qualifications: Familiarity with word processing and spreadsheet programs (Macintosh Quark and Photoshop presently in use), familiarity with Mac and Window-based operating systems. Bachelors degree in business with emphasis in marketing or sales preferred. Project a positive image to all with whom there is contact at all times. Well organized and creative, excellent follow-through and attention to detail. Strong analytical and reasoning abilities; comfortable performing multifaceted projects in conjunction with other routine activities; willingness to follow and knowledge of accepted business procedures and practices, professional and proficient in both written and verbal communication; team player, good inter-personal skills. Ability to perceive problems, suggest and trouble-shoot solutions proactively.
Contact: Mickey Graham, Marketing Manager
OPERATIONS INTERNS (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: March 1 to April 1, 2008
Duties: Assist with all aspects of facility operations of Fifth Third Ballpark, primarily with Whitecaps baseball games but also with supervising outside events such as high school and college baseball games, private parties, and trade shows. Assist with management of gameday event staff such as parking attendants, ticket takers, ushers, security, and first aid.
Gameday Duties: During games, rotate between 1) managing Customer Service Center (work closely with first aid staff and security; contestant check-in and prize redemption; relay announcements to P.A. booth, answer customer questions), 2) accounting (preparing registers, making change for cashiers, counting cash at the direction of Director of Accounting), and 3) facility management/troubleshooting.
Other Duties: Interns may also gain experience in community relations, promotions and concessions.
Qualifications: Successful applicants should have a strong interest in gaining experience in the sports industry, be highly motivated and hard working. Operations internships are generally for students who wish to gain broad experience in the sports/event management industry.
Contact: Matt Spitzley, Operations Coordinator
OPERATIONS INTERN - BERLIN RACEWAY (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Berlin Raceway
Start Date: April 1, 2008
Duties: Assist with all aspects of facility operations of Berlin Raceway. Assists with management of race day event staff such as ticket takers, ushers, security, and first aid. Receives experience in promotions, concessions, and overall venue management.
Other Duties: Interns may also gain experience in community relations, promotions, concessions, and other special projects.
Qualifications: Successful applicants should have a strong interest in gaining experience in the sports industry, be highly motivated, a self-starter, and hard working. Knowledge of motorsports a plus. Operations internships are generally for students who wish to gain broad experience in the sports/events management industry.
Contact: Mike Strevel, Director of Race Operations
OPERATIONS / PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERN - BERLIN RACEWAY (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Berlin Raceway
Start Date: March 1, 2008
Duties: Assists in most departments of Berlin Raceway. Coordinates Public Relations needs on racedays and during the week. Receives experience in promotions, concessions, and overall venue management.
Other Duties: Interns may also gain experience in community relations, promotions, concessions, and other special projects.
Qualifications: Successful applicants should have a strong interest in gaining experience in the sports industry, be highly motivated, a self-starter, and hard working. Strong writing skills required. Knowledge of motorsports a plus. Operations internships are generally for students who wish to gain broad experience in the sports/events management industry.
Contact: Mike Strevel, Director of Race Operations
FOOD AND BEVERAGE INTERNS (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: March 1, 2008
Duties: Assist with all aspects of the food and beverage (concessions) operation of Fifth Third Ballpark and Berlin Raceway, including ordering, inventory, stocking, sales reports, monitoring sales percentages and per caps, and vendor relations; assisting with managing a work force of 150-plus gameday employees.
Other Duties: The Whitecaps also own Berlin Raceway. Duties may be include assisting on special races. Interns may also gain experience in community relations, promotions, concessions, and other special projects.
Qualifications: Successful applicants should have a genuine interest in the business of venue concessions, be highly motivated and hard-working.
Contact: Matt Timon, Director of Food and Beverage
HOSPITALITY EVENT INTERN (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: March 1, 2008
Duties: Assists Director of Food & Beverage and Food & Beverage Assistant with the organization and operations of the Concession area. Works closely with the Director of Ticket Sales and the Director of Food & Beverage in overseeing hospitality events.
Other Duties: The Whitecaps also own Berlin Raceway. Duties will include assisting on several races. Interns may also gain experience in community relations, promotions, concessions, and other special projects.
Qualifications: Successful applicants should have a genuine interest in the business of venue events, be highly motivated and hard-working.
Contact: Matt Timon, Director of Food and Beverage
CULINARY/CATERING INTERN (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: March 17, 2008
Duties: Assists Suite Level Food & Beverage Manager with the organization and operations of the Suite Level areas. Works closely with same manager and suite level staff. Also assists with catered functions located within the ballpark, such as the Pepsi Stadium Club.
Other Duties: The Whitecaps also own Berlin Raceway. Duties may be include assisting with catered events on special races. Interns may also gain experience in community relations, promotions, concessions, and other special projects. Qualifications: Successful applicants should have a genuine interest in the business of culinary endeavors, be highly motivated and hard-working.
Contact: Todd Guyer, Suite Level Food and Beverage Manager
GROUNDSKEEPING INTERNS (Filled for 2008)
Primary Location: Fifth Third Ballpark
Start Date: Must be available from May until August, 2008; however, applicants available from March until September are preferred.
Duties: Assist in set-up for games and all on-field events, as well as outside events, mowing, edging, tarping, compaction prevention and management, pest identification and management, infield and mound repair, field renovation projects, budgeting, scheduling seasonal employees, control and monitoring of irrigation system and optional fertilizer and pesticide applications.
Qualifications: Successful applicants should have an excellent work ethic, strong sports interest, and should be enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year turf management or related program. Current pesticide certification preferred.
Contact: Greg Salyer, Head Groundskeeper
General Internship Information: In addition to the above duties, all interns are expected to assist with various stadium duties such as receiving shipments, pulling tarp, inventory, outside events, and limited phone coverage. All interns should be highly motivated, interested in the sports industry, possess excellent inter-personal skills, a good attitude, willingness to learn and willingness to work long hours and weekends. Internships end September 30.
Stipend and Benefits
Promotions/Marketing, Ticket Achievement, Ticket Operations and Ticket Sales Interns are paid a stipend of $650 per month. Operations, Food & Beverage, Hospitality Event and Operations/PR Interns are paid a stipend of $700 per month. Groundskeeping Intern stipends are determined by the evaluation of experience and certification/education, but start at a base of $650 per month. Housing provided, including all utilities except phone. Interns working in ticket sales will receive commission on tickets sold. All interns also receive company perks such as free golf and free health club membership. Benefits (insurance, vacation, etc.) are not included.
Time Commitment
Interns must be available to work full-time, including evenings, weekends and holidays. On non-event days the work day generally is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (plus possible evenings, weekends and holiday for player/driver/mascot appearances, outside events and other special circumstances). On event days, the work day generally begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends after the event (sometimes as late as or later than 11 p.m.).
How and When To Apply
If you are interested in an internship with the Whitecaps, please send a resume and cover letter to the attention of Human Resources, (title of internship being applied for), West Michigan Whitecaps, P.O. Box 428, Comstock Park, MI 49321. The best time to send resumes is in the fall, as hiring is an ongoing process beginning in the fall. Closing date for receiving resumes is February 29, 2008 (some internships are expected to start earlier as noted above).
Whitecaps Professional Baseball Corp. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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