Conservation Internship Program
The Conservation Internship Program is designed to provide hands on training and experience to those interested in pursuing employment with land and water resource management agencies, and other outdoor careers. The program is a cooperative effort designed to address community, environmental, and resource management projects. Through this program, public agencies and community organizations host a Conservation Intern to directly address pressing community resource needs for a three to ten month period. Northwest Youth Corps and Idaho Conservation Corps supports the partnership by supplying placement, administrative, and training support.
Conservation Interns may work on the following types of projects:
• Improve and Restore Public Lands and Waters
• Habitat Restoration & Impact Mitigation
• Invasive Species Inventory and Treatment
• Trail Maintenance and Recreation Infrastructure
• Natural Resource Data Collection
The Internship program is an effective way for Federal, State, and Municipal agencies and Non-profit organizations to harness the passion and energy of interested in natural resources. The program engages the citizen stewards of tomorrow on projects that will help them learn, grow, and gain valuable experience.
Below are the internship positions available with Northwest Youth Corps and Idaho Conservation Corps.
OPEN INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT POSITIONS:
Interpretation and Education Interns (3 Positions)
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve | Arco, ID
Application deadline: April 30, 2021
The National Park Service is recruiting summer interns to provide educational and interpretation assistance at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (CRMO) The members will serve with the interpretive and education teams within the Visitor Services Division. The park anticipates over 250,000 visitors this summer. Major duties are related to learning and working alongside personnel in visitor services at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. The intern will communicate with the public about the natural and cultural resources of CRMO, staff the visitor center and provide orientation and information about CRMO and the National Park Service including recreational opportunities and park regulations.
Facilities Management Intern (1 position)
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve | Arco, ID
Application deadline: April 30, 2021
The National Parks Service is currently recruiting one intern that will support the Natural Resource Management and Facilities Programs. The selected intern will assist with administration of natural resources and facilities at Craters of the Moon National Park, Minidoka National Historic Site, and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The work will be primarily office based with the possibility of assisting the vegetation, wildlife, and facilities programs with field activities if the intern desires. The Resource Management and Facilities programs have both grown in complexity and funding in the last several years and need assistance in managing administrative aspects of the programs. This position will work with permanent Facilities and Resources staff and through the internship will gain an understanding of the business side of a national park operation. The administrative duties will be split roughly 50/50 between Resources and Facilities.
OPEN AMERICORPS POSITIONS:
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps positions include an Education Award upon successful completion of a term of service. To learn more, please visit americorps.gov.
Resource Management and Visitor Services AmeriCorps Members (2 Positions)
Lewis and Clark NHP | Astoria, OR
Application deadline: April 9, 2021
The National Park Service is recruiting two multi-divisional individual placement AmeriCorps members to work both in resource management and interpretation & education at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. With seven sites on both sides of the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon, the park includes wetlands, upland forests, and coastal dunes and prairies. While working with the park’s restoration team within the Resource Management Division, the members will primarily be assisting with invasive plant control. In the Visitor Service Division, which includes education, the members will learn interpretive methods and offer costumed programs at Fort Clatsop, act as counselors for a virtual youth camp and possibly lead hikes and kayak trips for the public, depending upon pandemic precautions.
Natural Resource Management Crewmembers - Vegetation (2 positions)
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve | Arco, ID
Application deadline: April 30, 2021
The National Parks Service is currently recruiting two AmeriCorps members that will support the Natural Resource Management Program. The selected members will assist with management of natural resources at Craters of the Moon National Park, Minidoka National Historic Site, and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The work will be field oriented with the majority assisting the vegetation and wildlife programs. The vegetation team focuses on forest health, invasive plant management, and restoration efforts. The wildlife team focuses on bat surveys, pronghorn migration, and breeding bird surveys. Members will assist on these projects along with any other tasks that arise, with a focus on working with the vegetation team.
Natural Resource Management Crewmembers - Wildlife (1 position)
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve | Arco, ID
Application deadline: April 30, 2021
The National Parks Service is currently recruiting two AmeriCorps members that will support the Natural Resource Management Program. The selected members will assist with management of natural resources at Craters of the Moon National Park, Minidoka National Historic Site, and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The work will be field oriented with the majority assisting the vegetation and wildlife programs. The vegetation team focuses on forest health, invasive plant management, and restoration efforts. The wildlife team focuses on bat surveys, pronghorn migration, and breeding bird surveys. Members will assist on these projects along with any other tasks that arise, with a focus on working with the wildlife team.
Forestry Technician (Trails)
Idaho Panhandle National Forest | Bonners Ferry, ID
Application deadline: May 3, 2021
The Bonners Ferry Ranger District is recruiting one Forestry Technician (YCC Leader and Trails) summer Conservation Steward beginning May 24, 2021 through August 12, 2021. Incumbent will primarily maintain trails and recreation facilities on the district. 9 out of the 12 weeks, the incumbent will be serving as the assistant leader on a 10 person YCC (Youth Conservation Corps) crew (ages 15-18). This placement will typically work four ten-hour days per week Mondays through Thursday.
Forestry Technician (Recreation)
Idaho Panhandle National Forest | Sandpoint, ID
Application deadline: May 24, 2021
The Sandpoint Ranger District is recruiting one summer Forestry Technician (Recreation) beginning June 7, 2021 through August 28, 2021. Incumbent will primarily maintain recreation facilities on the district and provide visitor information. This position will typically work four ten-hour days per week (specific schedule to be determined). Duties will be to serve with Forest Service employees maintaining and cleaning campgrounds, developed recreation facilities, trailheads, and lake-based campsites on the district 60%. The position will entail site maintenance, frequent visitor contacts, and information sharing 40%. Work will be accomplished via truck and boat. This position will also help with maintenance and repairs to a lookout rental.
Forestry Technician (Recreation)
Idaho Panhandle National Forest | Saint Maries, ID
Application deadline: May 3, 2021
The St Joe Ranger District is recruiting two Forestry Technician (Recreation) summer individual placements beginning May 24, 2021. Incumbents will primarily serve in a frontline visitor contact position; serving the public at the Emerald Creek Garnet Area, answering questions, and assisting forest visitors. Duties include ensuring that visitors have a fun, safe, and educational visit. This is accomplished by orienting visitors to the site, explaining procedures, assisting diggers, and administering the reservation system. This work also involves site maintenance and facility improvement. (60%) and working alongside district recreation staff on completing regular recreation duties. This will include recreation site maintenance, campground checks and visitor contacts, patrols, trail projects, assisting during wildland fires, and other duties as assigned by the recreation staff (40%).
Trail Crew Lead
Payette National Forest | Cambridge, ID
Application deadline: April 25, 2021
Payette National Forest is recruiting one Trail Crew Leader from approximately May 10, 2021 through October 15, 2021. The incumbent will serve with junior level Forest Service trail crew employees to perform trail maintenance and construction on the Weiser and Council Ranger Districts. We are looking for someone who has experience performing trail maintenance projects and using chainsaws and hand tools. Experience with trail construction or reconstruction projects and technical aspects of trail construction is a plus.
Heritage Technician (480 HR)
Payette National Forest | McCall, ID
Application deadline: May 3, 2021
The Payette National Forest is recruiting one Heritage Technician from May 24, 2021 through August 16, 2021. The incumbent will be paired with a Forest Service Employee to conduct cultural resource management for the Forest. This position is with the Payette National Forest's Heritage Program that conducts cultural resource management for the Forest. Forty percent (40%) of the incumbent’s time will entail archeological field surveys, and an additional sixty percent (60%) will entail historic and prehistoric site documentation that includes hand-drawing sketch maps, GPS use, GIS mapping, photographing cultural resources, pre-field research, and completing site record updates.
Heritage Technician (920 HR)
Payette National Forest | McCall, ID
Application deadline: May 3, 2021
The Payette National Forest is recruiting one Heritage Technician from May 24, 2021 through October 25, 2021. The incumbent will be paired with a Forest Service Employee to conduct cultural resource management for the Forest. This placement is with the Payette National Forest's Heritage Program that conducts cultural resource management for the Forest. Forty percent (40%) of the incumbent’s time will entail archaeological field surveys, and an additional sixty percent (60%) will entail historic and prehistoric site documentation that includes hand-drawing sketch maps, GPS use, GIS mapping, photographing cultural resources, pre-field research, and completing site record updates.
Biological Technician (Weeds)
Payette National Forest | New Meadows, ID
Application deadline: May 3, 2021
The Payette National Forest is recruiting two Biological Technician (Weeds) from May 24, 2021 through September 18, 2021. The incumbents will be paired with Forest Service employees to conduct field surveys to identify, document, map, and treat noxious weed infestations. Time will be spent: 60% treating invasive species, 10% collecting invasive species population data, 25% monitoring and surveying invasive species treatments, 5% range surveys.
Biological Technician (Weeds)
Payette National Forest | Council, ID
Application deadline: May 3, 2021
The Payette National Forest is recruiting one Biological Technician from May 24, 2021 through September 20, 2021. The incumbent will be paired with a Forest Service employee to identify, document, map, and treat noxious weed infestations. The member’s time will be spent inventorying, documenting and mapping noxious weeds (30%) – Treating noxious weeds (50%) – Inspecting Bull Trout fence enclosures (10%) - Maintaining fences (10%).
OPEN RESOURCE ASSISTANT POSITIONS:
The Resource Assistants Program is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship program for individuals interested in Forest Service careers. Through direct training, experience, and exposure, Resource Assistants gain the tools to launch their natural and cultural resource careers. Upon completion of a Resource Assistant term, interns are eligible to receive Direct Hire Authority with the United States Forest Service. Preference will be given to the selection of individuals who are enrolled in an institution of higher education or are recent graduates from an institution of higher education, with particular attention given to ensure full representation of women and participants from historically black, Hispanic, and Native American schools.To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/volunteers/resource-assistants-program
Community Engagement and Education Coordinator Resource Assistant
Siuslaw National Forest | Waldport, OR - Reedsport, OR
Application deadline: April 25, 2021
The U.S. Forest Service Siuslaw National Forest seeks a Resource Assistant to coordinate and implement inclusive community engagement and education activities that connect Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley communities with public lands. We seek a candidate who has experience with conservation education, outdoor recreation, and community engagement. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to work independently, possess strong written and oral communication skills, have a passion for stewardship, knowledge of concepts regarding diversity and the outdoors, and preferably be able to communicate fluently in English and Spanish.
Treasured Landscape Coordinator Resource Assistant
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest | Darrington, WA or Verlot, WA
Application deadline: May 16, 2021
The Treasured Landscape Coordinator will be responsible for working with the U.S. Forest Service, National Forest Foundation, and local communities and organizations to build mutually beneficial partnerships through recreation and forest enhancement projects on national forest lands. The Coordinator will build National Environmental Policy Act and strategic planning skills while gaining direct hands on experience that can be transferred to a variety of organizations and future work setting and will build leadership, public speaking, outreach, event management, and writing skills in the course of organizing and supporting events. The coordinator will be provided opportunities to attend virtual trainings and conferences (in-person opportunities will be dependent on COVID-19 safety guidelines). There is flexibility for some work to be conducted virtually.
Latinx Engagement Coordinator
United States Forest Service Regional Office | Portland, OR
Application deadline: April 18, 2021
The selected Resource Assistant will support the Pacific Northwest Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service in conducting culturally and linguistically relevant outreach with Latinx community members across urban and rural settings. Ever the more critical in a COVID environment, these efforts will focus on conveying information in Spanish and in English through contemporary engagement practices that promote public involvement and awareness of Forest Service functions; enhance public safety and health in relation to wildfire; convey opportunities associated with employment, special uses, and special forest products; and increase public knowledge of natural resource and land management topics.
Communications and Community Engagement Resource Assistant
United States Forest Service Regional Office | Portland, OR
Application deadline: April 18, 2021
The selected Resource Assistant will support the Pacific Northwest Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service in supporting and coordinating culturally relevant communications and community engagement products and functions; in providing technical support for the analysis of volunteer, service, and partnership programs; and in providing support in the administration of cooperative agreements . The person in this position will be expected to collaborate across professional disciplines, different organizational levels of the Forest Service, and with volunteer and partner organizations to collect, assess, and analyze information for a variety of purposes such as: developing and facilitating training on best practices for specific facets of community engagement (e.g. conservation education, interpretation, volunteer coordination, etc.), creating digital media and web content, mapping partnerships and approaches to work, and making recommendations to permanent staff. Products and recommendations produced through these assignments will be expected to amplify efforts around diversity and inclusion in genuine, thoughtful, and culturally responsive manner.
Architectural Historian Resource Assistant
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest | Naches, WA
Application deadline: April 4, 2021
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest seeks an Architectural Historian Resource Assistant to work in the Public Services Staff Area in Naches, Washington. The selected applicant will play a key role in supporting and growing the heritage program on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This position will focus on field surveys within developed recreation sites and along trails, as well as within future forest vegetation management areas.
Latinx Community Engagement Coordinator
Willamette National Forest | Westfir, OR
Application deadline: April 11, 2021
The Willamette National Forest seeks a Latinx Community Engagement Coordinator Resource Assistant. The Resource Assistant will be responsible for working with the U.S. Forest Service and Northwest Youth Corps to formalize a robust youth and community engagement strategy for the Middle Fork Ranger Station, promote equitable outdoor opportunities, participate in community events, coordinate family-friendly field trips, improve cultural relevancy of interpretive programming, and evaluate outreach opportunities and approaches.
Youth and Community Engagement Coordinator
Willamette National Forest | Springfield, OR
Application deadline: May 2, 2021
The Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) in partnership with the Willamette National Forest will be advertising an internship for a Youth and Community Engagement Coordinator. The Resource Assistant will be responsible for working with the U.S. Forest Service and Northwest Youth Corps to formalize a robust youth and community engagement strategy for the Willamette National Forest, promote equitable outdoor opportunities, participate in community events, coordinate family-friendly field trips, improve cultural relevancy of interpretive programming, create messaging about current forest management issues and evaluate outreach opportunities and approaches.
Landscape Architect/Sustainable Recreation Planner
United States Forest Service | Several Duty Locations
Applications are not currently being accepted for this position. If interested, please reach out to Brad Cownover, USFS Regional Landscape Architect, at earl.cownover@usda.gov for more information.
The year 2019 marks the centennial of the first landscape architect and recreation professional hired to work for the US Forest Service, Arthur Carhart. In celebration of that milestone and to prepare for the next 100 years, a national effort is underway to utilize the Resource Assistants Program to create a cadre of landscape architecture-sustainable recreation resource assistants (RA) across the country known as the Carhart Centennial Corps. In partnership with the US Forest Service, Northwest Youth Corps is recruiting resource assistant positions to assist forest units across the Pacific Northwest Region in providing landscape architecture, sustainable recreation and scenery management services. It is anticipated that more than one position will be filled and that more than one location in the region will serve as the duty station.
Submit Your Application
Please use the following form to submit your application. If there are no open positions, you may submit an incomplete application and follow-up with an email to andrewt@nwyouthcorps.org to request more information.
For questions or concerns regarding the application process, please contact the Internship Program Officer:
Andrew Tagge
(541) 357-8210
andrewt@nwyouthcorps.org