Internships

2022 Dr. Nina S. Roberts Academic Internship Celebration

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy/Miriam Manda

 

Currently Recruiting:

Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers paid internships through the park and partner organizations for students and emerging professionals interested in public lands, parks, and community engagement. These internships provide hands-on experience in one of the most iconic and ecologically diverse urban national parks in the country.

Interns support a wide range of park operations—from education and interpretation to natural and cultural resource stewardship, communications, and youth programming. Opportunities vary in length and focus, but all emphasize professional development, mentorship, and meaningful contributions to park projects.

Check out opportunities available now below.

Community Volunteer Ambassador

• # of Positions: 1
• Location: San Francisco, California, United States
• Duration: February 23, 2026 through February 5, 2027. 

• Hours: 40 hours a week

• Description:

  The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) for Golden Gate NRA/Fort Point will work cooperatively with the parkwide Volunteer Leadership Team supporting volunteer programs throughout the park. The CVA will support existing programming as well as develop new volunteer programming. Expand outreach and volunteer opportunities to reach new audiences. Support work to expand the audience of the volunteer workforce of the Presidio Visitor Center and Fort Point.
  
  • Supporting NPS and partner VIP (Volunteer In Parks) Coordinators, outreach staff, fellow CVAs and Interns to schedule volunteer programs and logistics, draft and implement southern areas interpretive plans, facilitate America 250th volunteer specific programs, and grow the current volunteer program.
  • The CVA will assist with recruitment coordination and hosting volunteer groups on projects that support many partners and divisions in the southern areas.
  • Supporting interpretation, natural resource, and partner staff to provide volunteer support, seek professional development, identify and coordinate service projects, schedule interpretive tours, educational opportunities to enhance volunteer programs, and evaluating support systems for volunteer programs in the Presidio and Fort Point.
  • The CVA will also provide digital media support through the parkwide volunteer program to enhance the presence of volunteerism on the park's social media platforms.
  • Other duties as assigned based on CVA interests and the needs of the site

• Compensation: Living allowance - $600/week
• Housing Available: Yes

• Learn More and Apply Here: Career Site

 

Enterprise for Youth High School Climate Career Corp Interns at Muir Woods

NPS Photo

The Golden Gate Park Internship Experience (GOGA PIE) at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Point National Historic Site, and Muir Woods National Monument is a partnership program of the National Park Service (NPS) and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (GGNPC). It is a cornerstone park program, providing professional development and career pathway opportunities for youth and young adults, while supporting real needs of park management. A wide range of positions are available, including those working with business management, education and youth programs, volunteer program management, communications and media, natural and cultural resources, historical interpretation, public affairs, park planning, and more. Internships vary in length and can be part-time to full-time. They incorporate specialized training, professional skill building, and career development. Internships are immersive experiences, where interns learn by working with staff mentors to support critical park projects, while also bringing new ideas and a renewed energy to our park and staff. Together with our partners we are fostering a passion for our parks and open space, investing in our community, and cultivating our future work force.

Program Goals

1. Create immersive opportunities for young people to gain work and leadership skills through practical experience, interactive learning, essential skill building, and specialized training.
2. Engage local audiences and broaden our community outreach, especially to youth from communities that have not traditionally been engaged in parks.
3. Offer transformative experiences that build deep connections to our public lands.
4. Encourage and provide a ladder of learning and career pathways from interns to staff.
5. Cultivate our future workforce and next generation of leaders.
6. Provide support to meet real needs of park programs, management, and staff.

 

Environment for the Americas Interns at an Allies for Inclusion Program on Alcatraz Island

NPS Photo

Partnerships

The National Park Service collaborates with a selection of youth partner organizations to create internship opportunities. Our youth partners provide the backbone support so that the National Park Service staff are able to provide the "in-the-field" mentorship to all our interns.

Current youth partner organizations at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Point National Historic Site, and Muir Woods National Monument include (and are not limited to):

• American Conservation Experience
• Conservation Legacy
• CPI Foundation (The Concrete Preservation Insitute)
• Enterprise for Youth
• Environment for the Americas
• The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
• The Student Conservation Association
• Urban American Outdoors

 

2022 Enterprise for Youth Interns at Black Point Gardens in Fort Mason

Enterprise for Youth

 

Who is Eligible?

Due to the diversity of our communities and partners, we strive to create opportunities that can be available to all. To that end, we partner with many local, regional, and national youth serving organizations who have different eligibility requirements. Check with each individual youth partner and position for these requirements.

 

Presidio Trust Staff and Academic Interns on a play structure in the Presidio Tunnel Tops

Presidio Trust

Programs and Timelines:

Each year the park partners with these following organizations to offer signature internship programs unique to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

• American Conservation Experience Internships: ACE and NPS has partnered to offer multiple education and interpretation internships beginning January thru Summer.

  • Internship dates: mid-January thru Summer/Fall
  • Part and full-time opportunities available with living allowance

• Dr. Nina S. Roberts Academic Internships: Through this program, local cohorts of college youth are engaged in immersive park experiences to enhance classroom learning. Internships are open to all enrolled students and majors from San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, and College of Marin. Interns receive a $500 weekly living allowance and an opportunity for academic credit.

  • Positions expected to open in March 1st 2025
  • Internships will run May 2025 - August 2025 for 11 weeks
  • APPLY NOW: https://www.parksconservancy.org/internships/academic-internship-program

• Enterprise for Youth: Youth Career Corps: Enterprise for Youth is a San Francisco based workforce development non-profit that the Golden Gate National Recreation Area has partnered with to provide high school aged youth opportunities to intern with the park.

  • Job Readiness training is REQUIRED to intern with us (participants receive a $125 stipend for completing the training)
  • Interns are paid $20/hour
  • Program runs for 5-6 weeks in the summer (June/July)

• Environment for the Americas Internships: Environment for the Americas has partnered with the National Park Service to offer year-long internship opportunities for young adults at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

  • Positions are year-round starting in November
  • Full-time $520 per week living allowance with housing

 

Connect with us:

Questions or comments about internships: e-mail us!