Conservation Internship Program
Northwest Youth Corps’ Conservation Internship Program is designed to provide training and experience to those interested in experiencing hands on, “real work” internships in resource management and interpretation, and for pursuing employment opportunities with land and water resource management agencies, and other outdoor programs. The Conservation Internship Program is a cooperative effort between Northwest Youth Corps and our partners (mostly federal land management agencies) designed to address community, environmental, and resource management projects, needs and initiatives. Through these partnerships, 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 supports the partnership by supplying placement, administrative, and training support. Our Conservation Intern Program is open to applicants aged 18 or older - current college students and recent graduates are strongly encouraged to apply!
Conservation Interns work on a diverse array of projects, including (but not limited to):
- Improvement and Restoration of Public Lands and Waters
- Habitat Restoration & Impact Mitigation
- Invasive Species Inventory and Treatment
- Trail Maintenance and Recreation Infrastructure
- Interpretation of Natural, Cultural and Historical Resources
- 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 young adults interested in natural resources, public lands management and stewardship. The program engages the citizen stewards of tomorrow on projects that will help them learn, grow, and gain valuable experience while also providing real work outcomes to the partnering agencies.
Northwest Youth Corps is also working in partnership with the USDA Forest Service to run their national Resource Assistants Program (RAP), which is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship program for individuals interested in US 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 Program 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 the USDA website: https://www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/volunteers/resource-assistants-program.
- To see available RAP positions in partnership with Northwest Youth Corps, please click here.
Below are all current internship positions available with Northwest Youth Corps in Idaho, Northern California, Oregon and Washington.
OPEN INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT POSITIONS:
Maintenance Intern
Minidoka National Historical Site | Jerome, ID
Application deadline: Open until filled
This internship is located in a National Park Service Unit. The intern will perform simple and routine tasks involved in the maintenance and repair of grounds, exterior structures, buildings and related utilities, requiring the use of a variety of trade practices associated with occupations such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, cement work, painting, and other related trades. Intern may also interact with visitors while performing maintenance work.
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.
Forestry Technician - Developed Recreation/YCC Crew Leaders (2 Positions)
Boise National Forest | Idaho City, ID and Mountain Home Ranger District, ID
Application deadline: June 28, 2021
The Idaho City/Mountain Home Ranger District’s is recruiting two Forestry Technician (YCC Leader/Developed Recreation) summer Conservation Stewards beginning June 28, 2021, through September 25, 2021. The interns will primarily maintain trails and recreation facilities on the district. 8 out of the 13 weeks, the incumbent will be serving as the assistant leader on a 4 person YCC (Youth Conservation Corps) crew (ages 15-18). This placement will typically work four ten-hour days per week Mondays through Thursday. One position will be on the Idaho City Ranger District and the other will be on the Mountain Home Ranger District.
Outreach and Education Steward (2 Positions)
Olympic National Park | Port Angeles, WA
Application deadline: June 13, 2021
Members will work with the Outreach and Education Specialist delivering environmental education programs for school children. The members will also work at various community events staffing the park’s exhibit booth and answering questions about Olympic National Park. Depending on the interests and abilities of the selected candidate there are opportunities to work on various projects – including website work, multi-media presentations, etc.
Trail Crew Lead
Payette National Forest | Cambridge, ID
Application deadline: Open until filled
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.
Biological Technician (Weeds)
Payette National Forest | New Meadows, ID
Application deadline: Open until filled
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.
Trail Steward
Trailkeepers of Oregon | Mt. Hood National Forest - multiple reporting locations
Application deadline: Open until filled
Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO), in partnership with the USDA Forest Service (FS), is recruiting one AmeriCorps member to provide trail maintenance assistance on hiking trails through volunteer engagement at three different sites in Oregon. This steward will report to FS workstations in the Mount Hood National Forest 1-2 times per week to work directly with FS trail crews/staff on trail maintenance projects. They will also collaborate with TKO staff, volunteers, and FS personnel to coordinate and/or lead 1-2 weekly trail stewardship events and 1-2 trail ambassador events for community volunteers. This steward will also assist TKO in hosting trail stewardship training and outreach events to expand stewardship expertise in the region.
Trail Steward
Trailkeepers of Oregon | Brookings, OR
Application deadline: Open until filled
Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO), in partnership with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), is recruiting one AmeriCorps members to provide trail maintenance and education assistance on hiking trails and trailheads through volunteer engagement of southern Oregon Coast communities. This steward will report to OPRD workstations in the Harris Beach Management Unit 1-2 times per week and work directly with OPRD trail crews/staff on trail maintenance projects. They will also collaborate with TKO staff, volunteers, and OPRD personnel to establish, lead, and document 1-2 weekly trail stewardship events and 1-2 trail ambassador events. This steward will also assist TKO in hosting trail stewardship training and outreach events in the Southern Oregon Coast region.
Outdoor Educator/Youth Development Specialist - Field Coordinator
Twin Rivers Charter School | Eugene, OR
Application deadline: July 25, 2021
The Outdoor Educator/Youth Development Specialist – Field Coordinator position is both highly demanding and highly rewarding, serving high school students identified as at-risk of academic failure and/or presenting behavioral challenges. Outdoor Educator/Youth Development Specialists spend most of their time in direct contact with students, either providing direct student instruction in small groups in a classroom setting, providing environmental education in the field, or facilitating conservation-based, service-learning projects.
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
Latinx Engagement Coordinator
Pacific Northwest Regional Office | Portland, OR
Application deadline: June 27, 2021
Through a partnership with Northwest Youth Corps, 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.
Public Affairs Resource Assistant
Gifford Pinchot National Forest | Vancouver, WA
Application deadline: June 27, 2021
The Public Affairs Resource Assistant will participate in the development and implementation of a comprehensive public affairs program on the forest, performing a wide variety of activities including support of visitor services, correspondence management, and the creation of digital tools and products geared toward helping the public safely and appropriately access their public lands as well as to highlight all staff areas including restoration and stewardship, community engagement, engineering and more. Ever the more critical in a COVID environment, these efforts will focus on conveying information 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.
Digital Media Resource Assistant
United States Forest Service Region 6 Regional Office | Portland, OR
Application deadline: July 4, 2021
Through a partnership with Northwest Youth Corps, the selected Resource Assistant will support the Pacific Northwest Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service in creating products geared toward telling our National Forest story in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The selected individual will be helping the public safely and appropriately access their public lands as well as to highlight the work that goes on in the Pacific NW Regional office from fish biology to engineering. This is an immersive professional internship that requires a skillful and confident applicant who can manage a portfolio of work with the support of permanent staff and willing to try new approaches and work with a great deal of autonomy.
Treasured Landscape Coordinator Resource Assistant
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest | Darrington, WA or Verlot, WA
Application deadline: Open until filled
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.
Architectural Historian Resource Assistant
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest | Naches, WA
Application deadline: Open until filled
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.
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