This opportunity is with a Federal Agency within the Department of the Interior.

This is an exciting opportunity to experience a range of park management duties. As an entry-level generalist position, the specific duties of the position will be determined by season and work priorities at the time of hire. Duties may be related to Interpretation, with visitor contact at preserve visitor centers or popular visitation sites. The intern will be trained in general interpretive principle and will also learn about a variety of topics in order to answer questions about the principles of responsible recreation and Leave No Trace, itinerary planning through answering questions about places to visit and things to do in the preserve, as well as the rules and regulations pertaining to activities such as camping. The intern may also be required to assist visitors with lost and found articles, give information about safe travel and hazards in the desert, and other similar concerns. Depending on needs of preserve at time of appointment, the intern could also be assigned to duties in Resource Management or Visitor and Resource Protection. In Resource Management, these activities include basic resource monitoring, identifying and reporting resource damage, and assisting with recording, entering, and analyzing data. In the preserve’s Visitor and Resource Protection division, work may involve patrol of backcountry roads, contact with visitors to encourage compliance with preserve regulations and policies, help with minor car trouble (e.g., using a radio to call for assistance) and observing and maintain records of road and resource conditions. To support these activities, training will also be provided in off-road driving, use of radio communications, and GPS navigation. The preserve is a remote area and with an arid desert climate. Work typically takes place far from amenities. The intern maybe be subject to harsh weather conditions such as high temperatures but occasionally including cold, wind/windstorms, rain including late summer monsoons, snow (rare), depending on the season. Housing is available in the preserve.

The ideal candidate for this opportunity will have a broad range of experience and prefers working in the great outdoors more than being in an office.