Jobs

 

Working for the National Park Service

Want to be a National Park Ranger or work for the National Park Service? There are a multitude of different career paths to pursue!

At Padre Island National Seashore, we work to not only uphold the mission of the National Park Service, but to also align our management objectives with the purpose for the establishment of the national seashore.

 

Park Purpose 

Located on the Texas coast, Padre Island National Seashore preserves, protects, and interprets the outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the longest undeveloped barrier island in the United States and its surrounding water for public benefit, inspiration, and scientific understanding. 

 

Assisting with sea turtle releases is one of the many jobs at Padre Island National Seashore.

NPS Photo/ Sue Wolfe

Our various staff and offices in the park are filled with people of diverse backgrounds from around the country. To fulfill all the needed work within the park, employees in various occupations are needed including Administrative and Clerical; Information Technology; Concessions Management; Trades and Crafts; Engineering, Design and Facility Management; Fee Collection; Dispatch; Fire Management; Law Enforcement; Resource Interpretation and Education; Public Affairs; Park Management; Safety Management; and Science and Resource Management.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The National Park Service, as part of the United States government, does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity.

 

Current Job Opportunities

 

Basic Application Tips

Here are just a few tips for submitting your job application in USAJOBS for work in Padre Island National Seashore.  

• Follow all the "How to Apply" instructions listed under each opportunity.  

• Review the "How to create an application" steps on USAJOBS.  

• Applying for a maintenance job? Be sure to include the required driver's license materials and document your driving experience.  

• Apply as soon as possible. Many opportunities close after a certain number of applications are received.  

• When creating your resumé, by sure to include experience that is relevant to the job opportunity and highlights all the job requirements. This often means your resumé will be multiple pages long. 

 

Complete an Internship

Students, both high school and college level, can gain hands on experience in the park through several internship programs. The park hires stipend interns through cooperative agreements with youth organizations such as the Student Conservation Association, the Latino Heritage Internship Program and the Scientists in Parks program (a collaborative program between Conservation Legacy, the National Park Service, Ecological Society of America, and the Geological Society of America). Please contact these organizations directly to learn more about application requirements, internship work agreements, or to learn more about other opportunities. Visit the Youth & Young Adults Programs page to learn about other internship programs throughout the national park system.

If you are interested in gaining experience at the park without receiving a stipend, then please learn about how to become a Volunteer.

 

Current Internship Opportunities

Community Volunteer Ambassador

The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) internship program is designed specifically to strengthen the bonds between communities and parks, while supporting the NPS Volunteer-In-Parks program.

The CVA at Padre Island National Seashore will play a key role in expanding and enhancing the park’s volunteer program by developing new opportunities for public engagement and supporting long-term program sustainability. This is a dynamic, hands-on role ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, organizing events, and making a lasting impact.

The CVA position will start on February 23, 2026 and run for 50 weeks until February 5, 2027. A $750/week stipend will be provided. After completion of the internship, the CVA will be eligible for the Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority and an AmeriCorps Education Award.

Learn more about the internship and apply.

Fish and Feathers Internship Program

Fish and Feathers is a program funded by the National Park Service (NPS) and administered by Environment for the Americas. The program goal is to provide national park partners with talented interns who are eager to learn and to engage with local communities. The intern will focus on supporting, implementing, and leading community outreach programs that focus on fishing and birding activities. The overall goal is to increase diverse community engagement with NPS partners during the program and in years to come.

The Fish and Feathers position will start on May 11, 2026 and run for 12 weeks until July 31, 2026. A $640/week stipend and housing will be provided. After completion of the internship, interns in this program will receive 480 hours towards Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority.

Learn more about the internship and apply.

 

 

Find other job opportunities

Work for the National Park Service Jobs for Students