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:
Interpretation and Education Interns (3 Positions)
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve | Arco, ID
Application deadline: Extended to May 9, 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: Extended to May 9, 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.
Resource Interpretation and Public Use Management Intern
Minidoka National Historical Site | Jerome, ID
Application deadline: May 7, 2021
Minidoka National Historical Site is recruiting a Resource Interpretation and Public Use Management Intern. This is the position of an interpretive intern who performs a variety of tasks associated with the use and management of park resources. The purpose of the position is to supplement the permanent park ranger workforce by performing duties designed to (1) facilitate visitor understanding of park resources; (2) facilitate visitor enjoyment of the park and its resources; (3) facilitate visitor behavior consistent with resource protection and to gain friendly compliance with the laws and rules for safe use of the park; and (4) encourage visitors to develop a sense of stewardship for park resources.
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.
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: Extended to May 9, 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.
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%).
Natural Resources Botany Steward
US Army Corps of Engineers | Fern Ridge Lake, OR
Application deadline: May 12, 2021
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is currently recruiting two positions that will support botany, natural resources, and wildlife habitat management and restoration at USACE Lands in the Willamette Valley Region of Oregon. As a botany steward you would assist with management of natural resources at the 13 reservoirs, though the majority of time will be spent at Fern Ridge Lake, west of Eugene, Oregon.
Natural Resources Steward
US Army Corps of Engineers | Cascade Locks, OR
Application deadline: May 23, 2021
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is recruiting one summer AmeriCorps member to provide recreation and natural resource management assistance at Bonneville Lock and Dam Project in the Columbia River Gorge between Oregon and Washington. The Corps manages three visitor centers, Fort Cascades National Historic Site Trail, five day use areas, and two wildlife management units. The member will assist Natural Resource Specialist/Ranger staff with recreation and natural resource management tasks such as interpretive programs, outreach events, trail monitoring and the management of plant and wildlife habitat.
Trail Steward
Trailkeepers of Oregon | Mt. Hood National Forest - multiple reporting locations
Application deadline: May 16, 2021
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: May 16, 2021
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.
Trail Crew Steward
North Cascades National Park | Marblemount, WA
Application deadline: May 30, 2021
The North Cascades National Park is recruiting one Trail Crew Steward to provide recreation and natural resource management assistance from July – November 2021. North Cascades is the largest of the three National Park Service units which comprise the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Several national wilderness areas and British Columbia parkland adjoin North Cascades. The selected member will work shoulder to shoulder with the Parks professional trails staff to complete annual trail maintenance and construction on portions of a 360-mile trail system, which includes the maintenance of 100 backcountry camps. Member will have an opportunity to meet and learn from a variety of park employees representing almost all park programs.
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
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: Extended to April 29, 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.
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.
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.
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