College Internships

Interns in the Santa Monica Mountains learn many different aspects of park management and resource protection. This intern spends every other week checking pitfall traps to monitor the diversity of herp species throughout the park.

General Information

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offer internship positions for both college and high school students. These positions are open to US citizens, permanent residents, or people with valid work permits, such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or other type of Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Those without valid work permits may still qualify to join as volunteer (unpaid) interns.

Update: We have a new internship opportunity available as an Every Kid Outdoor Intern for college students and recent graduates. See below for more details.

College Students and Recent Graduates

College students gain experience using the information they have learned in the classroom, learn more about their field of study, and gain real world job experience working for a federal agency. Students may be currently enrolled or recent graduates (within last 4 years). Internships are usually 3-4 months. Some can be extended up to 6 months. Part time and full-time positions are available depending on internship. Some positions are weekday only, some may require weekend work. See the individual position descriptions for further information about days and length of time for that internship. Interns must have a valid driver's license and must have their own vehicle for their personal transportation to and from work. While at work, government vehicles may be available for intern use within the scope of their position. Knowledge of common computer programs (Word, Access or Excel) may be required for some positions. Stipends and/or housing may be available depending on the internship. Internship positions are open to US citizens, permanent residents, or people with valid work permits, such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or other type of Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Those without valid work permits may still qualify to join as volunteer (unpaid) interns. Some intern positions will require fingerprint and background checks. Some intern positions will require fingerprint and background checks.

College Student Intern Position Descriptions:

(Click on the title for a full position description)

• Mule Deer and Carnivore Ecology Intern - Closed.
  
  Carnivore Biology Intern - Closed.

• Community Liaison and Outreach Intern (Los Angeles) - Closed.

• Cultural Resources Intern (Archeology, Ethnography/History) - Closed.

• Education Intern - Closed.

• Every Kid Outdoors Intern - Open.

• GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Intern - Closed.

• Native Plant Program Internship - Closed.

• Native Plant Program Volunteer - Closed.

• Park Ranger Intern (Interpreting Natural and Cultural Resources) - Closed.

• Vegetation & Bat Inventory and Monitoring Intern - Applications accepted annually between early May to early June for an internship running February - June of the following year.

• Wildlife Biology Intern - Closed.

Application Instructions

Describe in a cover letter which internship you want to apply for, how this internship will benefit your career and the period of time you will be available. Include in your cover letter whether or not you would need housing (housing is available for full time interns only), that you are aware of the stipend and that you have a vehicle for your personal transportation to and from work. Send your cover letter, resume, three references and an unofficial copy of your transcript via e-mail to [e-mail].