Winter Natural Resources Interns - 2025
The National Lakeshore is currently seeking winter interns for the early 2025 winter season. Chosen candidates will gain firsthand experience working alongside park service staff on forest health projects.
Main duties consist of meandering surveys and delimitation of treatment areas for hemlock woolly adelgid throughout the park. Interns will be provided training on accurately identifying forest pests, Great Lakes tree species identification, navigating to sites on and off trail in forested areas, interpreting maps and using mapping software, operating a 4-wheel drive government vehicle to travel to survey sites, communication with park visitors, and maintenance of equipment.
This internship requires physical exertion such as long periods of standing/walking outdoors over rough terrain and exposure to winter weather.
The internship is roughly 4 months, with start dates in early January. Interns will typically work Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Compensation includes a stipend of $40 per day and free government housing. Interns are required to provide their own coats, snow/rain pants, and other cold weather gear. A stipend for purchasing boots is available. Snowshoes and shoe traction devices will also be available for interns to use when needed.
Interns are not required to be students, but academic credit may be arranged with the intern’s school if applicable. Research topics or independent study projects will be agreed upon by the intern, the college advisor, and the NPS supervisor.
Additional Requirements
Interns will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, including an FBI fingerprint check, prior to beginning their internship.
Interns must possess a valid state driver’s license, pass an online defensive driving course and may be required to drive a government vehicle.
How to Apply
Applications received by November 11th, 2024 will receive first consideration.
To apply for an internship email or postal mail the following:
Cover letter why are you a good candidate?
Résumé include relevant jobs and/or life experience
References contact information for at least two
Letter of recommendation at least one
Unofficial transcripts will be requested after initial materials are received.
Email your documents to leighanna_peck@nps.gov.
OR mail your documents to:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
ATTN: Forest Health
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630
Winter Education Interns - 2025
Do you enjoy working with kids? Do you like to play in the snow? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you! Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is now recruiting winter interns for the 2025 season.
Interns will gain valuable experience in the fields of environmental education and interpretation. Interns will also be introduced to the policies, procedures, and career paths within the National Park Service. Internships in the National Park Service bolster student skills and experience, and are designed to be stepping stones to careers within the agency or similar workforce.
The internship is roughly 3 months, with start dates in January. Interns will generally work Monday-Friday, or Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00-4:30.
Work includes presenting virtual and in-person curriculum-based lessons and activities on topics like ecology, ecosystem health, the National Park Service mission, and local history. Interns may also assist in leading snowshoe hikes for 3rd-12th graders and for the general public. Interns will create and post content on the park’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Interns receive a stipend of $40 per day, government housing, and a volunteer uniform. Interns are required to provide their own snow/rain pants and waterproof boots. Snowshoes will be available for the interns to use during educational and interpretive programs. Snowshoeing experience is not necessary, however interns must be physically capable of snowshoeing.
This position is open to current college students and recent graduates.*
*Recent graduates must have graduated from college within 2 years of the anticipated start date of the position.
The internship time period is early January to mid-March with the opportunity for extension based on student academic requirement.
How to Apply
To apply for an internship email or postal mail the following:
Applications received by Aug. 15, 2024 will receive first consideration.
Cover letter why are you a good candidate?
Résumé include relevant jobs and/or life experience
References contact information for at least two
Letter of recommendation at least one
Email your documents to us at slbe_education@nps.gov
OR mail your documents to:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
ATTN: Education Technician
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630
