Tourism to the Olympic Peninsula is so successful in large part due to park rangers, who ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors. Am I really doing this by myself? I enjoyed being in McCarthy and Kennecott again, especially since it was the last time before I leave Alaska. New Internship Park Ranger jobs added daily. Before the white-water, we floated around a lake to check out some icebergs and see rocks/chunks of ice fall from the top of the glacier into the lake. Also in Kennecott, we got to hike the Root Glacier Trail. A recent study released by the National Parks Service shows that tourism to Olympic National Park generated $220 million for the local economy and supported over 2,700 local jobs. I saw more wildlife than I have in my entire life just in those two days. Organization: Alaska SeaLife Center. and yet, here I am, sitting at a gate in Minneapolis, feeling numb. It was absolutely beautiful! I went to the ranger station in Chitina and the ranger gave me two whole salmon, so I had quite the delicious dinner last night! Nothing will ever compare to my summer in Alaska, but I will greet my last semester with an open mind, and hope that whatever adventures I have during and after school will be somewhere as close to as amazing and spectacular as Alaska was. See you soon, Alaska. All in all, it was a fantastic weekend filled with lots and lots of fun. Interns also assist with large events such as our Logan Pass star parties. I am also completing an internship at [park name] for which I am working on researching and assisting in the development of several educational and interpretive projects, including an archaeology program for student groups and a Junior Ranger activity booklet pertaining to [part of the park]. Everglades National Park offers a wide variety of internship opportunities. Skip to Job Postings. 27! New Summer National Park Ranger jobs added daily. Some friends would like to catch a few, and those grizzly bears may finally be out so we can see some! Browse 261 PARK RANGER Jobs ($24K-$61K) hiring now from companies with openings. Astronomy interns are patient communicators who are able to help a diverse audience learn about astronomy. This morning, I came in and another ranger wasn’t feeling too great so I had to do two extra talks without more than an hour’s notice. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. Sign up for exclusive content you'll never see on the blog, featuring a resource library that includes over 60 National Parks checklists! The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center (CCRLC) does not offer internships on a regular basis, but does work with other park divisions and park partners to provide some opportunities during certain years. Subscribe to receive a free guide to all national parks and other exclusive resources! I also got to practice spraying bear spray as part of bear safety training which was pretty exciting! I kept a detailed journal since it was such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Additional experience or education may be required. Day 22: Today, I was able to spend time working on my programs as well as preparing for a new one I have to give on June 26, which will be a guided walk through the boreal forest. It was fantastic! There are several different types of paid positions available each requiring assorted qualifications: Visitor Use Assistants; Park Guides Days 28-31: This week was pretty exciting. Looking for a great paid job opportunity at National Park Service in Enumclaw, WA? Pingback: How to Become a Park Ranger (from Personal Experience) - Riley's Roves, Pingback: What to Wear in Alaska: A Local's Packing List - Riley's Roves, Your email address will not be published. Summer Internship (Park Ranger) Type. Yesterday my boss came to my caribou talk in order to audit me. The Youth Ranger Internship Program provides education and career preparation to youth in rural East Hawai‘i. I’ve been recommending it to visitors ever since! We did have to wear hard hats to ensure safety. Other highlights were crossing the Arctic Circle and seeing four bears! It was foggy and much cloudier on the drive back, so just that alone should tell you how rare it is to have a nice day there. One can only hope…. Interpretive Internships It took 3 hours, a lot of patience, two bites with no snags, and one we had to release before we finally snagged a sockeye in the mouth. And I left my family and friends behind? A park ranger is charged with protecting nature from people and people from nature. In additon, housing is often provided free of charge. This is by no means what all internships are like; this was solely my experience. Millions of people visit our national parks annually, but many don’t know what a park ranger’s job is like or what our responsibilities are. Estes Par, CO. Not only did I have to do them back to back, and for 21 people in each group, but I had to turn a 45-minute long walk into a 30-minute one. Amazingly, they look a lot different when you’re 7,000 feet in the air and only a few miles away. I’ve still only seen the two in Denali, nowhere else, and many friends haven’t seen them at all so cross your fingers that they’ll be around! Day 19: Today we had seasonal orientation all day, extremely boring stuff. Interns on the east side of the park also present programs using the park's new Dusty Star Observatory and 20 inch telescope. It overlooks a bluff with a gorgeous view and was supposed to be completed five years ago so a lot of people are very, very excited that it’s finally here. They were very enthusiastic about Alaska and all it has to offer, which are my favorite kind of visitors. Researching issues and compiling and analyzing information in support of NPCA’s legislative and long-range policy programs 2. Then, on Friday I gave my regular caribou and Alaska life presentations before heading to McCarthy to celebrate the solstice. All in all, even though it was a lot of time spent in the car, it was a blast, and I’m glad I did it. Luckily, it went very, very well, and seemed like a very smooth transition even with such short notice. I may be doing that again Tuesday. I might go to Valdez this weekend if someone else does. Other than that, same ol’ same ol’, nothing exciting. Company Overview FAQ. Location. How am I possibly headed to Alaska for four months to work at a national park? We did some sea kayaking and took a wildlife cruise through Resurrection Bay and Fox Island from Seward, AK into Kenai Fjords National Park. At first, I did, too. It's never too soon to begin preparing for a career as a law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service. Yesterday was my first rove day. When available, internships will be posted on this page. It is an epic mountain, and this is not my last attempt. Law enforcement rangers and individuals who have completed a master's degree in a relevant … The audience I had was very enthusiastic about what it’s like to live in Alaska! This internship was through the Student Conservation Association (SCA), an organization many individuals interested in careers in the outdoors utilize to get started. Alaska National Park Jobs Become a Seasonal Park Ranger. If you are thinking of working in a conservation-related career, our internship program could be a great start for you. I hate flying, and it was my first time in something other than a commercial jet plane. Subscribe today to download my free national parks checklists! Day 16: Instead of working at the visitor center today, the park paid for me to take a CPR/First-aid training course in case I need to perform either on a visitor. Getting there is quite the adventure. It was neat, and they had all sorts of Alaskan animals for visitors to get pretty close to. Went to Valdez once again this weekend! Park Interpreters are the public face of Glacier National Park. Requirements vary depending on the duties and responsibilities assigned to specific positions. We met up with some friends on the Klutina River in town and fished there. Assist an NPS Park Ranger aboard the Star of the Northwest tour boat as the ranger conducts an interpretive program for the duration of a 5-hour ocean tour. Overall, an amazing trip. I applied for the position and was initially rejected. I am also completing an internship at [park name] for which I am working on researching and assisting in the development of several educational and interpretive projects, including an archaeology program for student groups and a Junior Ranger activity booklet pertaining to [part of the park]. Inuvik is a very cool, quirky town, and so is Dawson City, YT. Attending and collecting information from Congressional hearings I haven’t decided what I’m going to discuss yet, but I plan on doing a lot of research today in order to figure it out. United States. Professional Opportunity . Once you’re there you have to park your car and walk across a footbridge because only locals can bring their cars to the other side and drive in town. Are you interested in a career in natural resource management? These programs are given in a diversity of park locations including campgrounds, trails, visitor centers, historic boats, and historic park hotels. I definitely understand. I have to give three, and if I want to I can give five. There’s just no way…. To support the National Park Service in the protection, preservation, and interpretation of the natural and cultural resources at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Internships are available through: Everglades BioCorps Internship Program. On Tuesday, I gave my first guided walk down our half-mile trail through the forest. I crave snow-topped mountains, dreary wastes, and the cruel Northern sea with its far horizons at the edge of the world where infinite space begins. Our flexibility may be exactly what you are looking for. Days 8-9: As part of training this week we went to the northern part of the park, where the Nabesna Road and Slana ranger station are located. Because there are 8 national parks, 3 national preserves, several monuments and state parks in Alaska, seasonal employment is plentiful. ), plus I’ll be traveling a lot within the next two weeks for work purposes. Days 44-47: Tuesday, I went to the Gulkana airport to work with the dispatcher there. Thanks for subscribing! I had never felt more at peace. Most of the visitors were also on special tour groups, and don’t usually have time to go to a program anyway (or don’t speak English). I helped a lot of visitors plan trips and told them which trails are finally free of snow. The drive is hardly ever sunny. I made it: Alaska is beautiful. The program has grown to become one of the National Park Service's premiere astronomy programs. Intern Salaries posted anonymously by National Park Service employees. This Saturday, I’m going to Valdez again, although I think Saturday is the day our two weeks of nice, warm, clear sky is going to disappear to make room for a rainstorm. Seasonal jobs have taken her all over the United States, most recently Alaska. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Over the years, I have been asked many questions about my work experiences. Day 17-18: Since I’m sure which field I’d like to go into, my supervisor is nice enough to try and expose me to every division of the park that she can. A moose calf ran right towards the car I was in. The people of Valdez also have many domestic/feral rabbits running around town that they feed and protect to make sure they aren’t eaten by said eagles. We have a team of more than five thousand people who work in a wide range of jobs. You’ll get training in public interpretation and Department of … Attempting to summit Gunsight Mountain proved to be much more difficult than I imagined. How to Become a Park Ranger (from Personal Experience) - Riley's Roves, What to Wear in Alaska: A Local's Packing List - Riley's Roves, It Wasn’t Supposed to End This Way: My Farewell to Alaska, Visit National Parks from Home: The 14-Day National Parks Quarantine Challenge, The 10 Best Airbnbs Near Joshua Tree National Park, 15 Best Daypacks for Women Under $160 in 2020. Backcountry Ranger Intern Program Either way, I’m looking forward to the trip. Aside from the shiny badge that many national park rangers proudly wear, there are many reasons to consider an internship (and eventual career?) Seeing it up close was a totally different experience. Like 2 likes . Except now I carry bear spray wherever I go, so also a little frightening…. I’d only ever driven by it and admired it from afar before that point. It went pretty well, I had four people listen to my talk about caribou and five listen to my talk about what it’s like to live in Alaska. We saw a lot of neat icebergs in all sorts of shapes, including some that looked like whales and others that looked like walruses. Job . We saw three different ranges, the Wrangells (which I see every day from where I live), the Mentastas, and the Nutzotins, which are both a part of the larger Alaska range. I was really nervous about climbing into that little plane. We went to Valdez in order to catch some salmon. Pretty funny, actually! Roving is when I drive around and make informal contact with visitors, asking if they have any questions and what their plans are to help orient them. For those who have been to national parks, if you went on a ranger-led program, that’s what I’ll be leading this summer when I’m not at the front desk. It was a beautiful day, and my first time on a float plane! Days 26-27: I spent last Thursday preparing to give my first guided walk through the boreal forest. So, we did some shopping, met up with some friends, and ate dinner before driving back home. Day 25: I talked to 27 people today. Duties are likely to include: 1. I thought visitors would be more interested in personal Alaskan experiences and what the residents do in the winter, but I guess not. I would much rather talk to visitors than stare at the computer, typing away. Please check your e-mail to confirm your subscription and receive the password for my resource library. One of my favorite bands, Trampled by Turtles, performed at the festival and it was awesome to see them live. This weekend I went to McCarthy to celebrate the solstice, but not without having some good ol’ Alaskan fun! This next portion was perhaps my favorite part of the trip. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children’s children, and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American if he can travel at all should see. A grizzly sow and two cubs were seen walking along the trail we lead visitors down every single day. But not really. Days 48-51: This week I did my normal job for two days, but then got to travel to McCarthy to work on a fish weir for the rest of the week. Interns staff visitor centers and provide information and informal interpretation to visitors during fixed station and roving assignments. National park ranger jobs are posted at GS-5 positions in the federal salary scale. It’s usually cloudy and filled with fog. The National Park Service preserves the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. We also saw some sea otters and bald eagles along the way. Find your next job near you & 1-Click Apply! It was spectacular. I saw bears for the first time in my life, two extremely large grizzlies, and was probably 50 feet away from some Dall sheep. 533 Reviews. We will respond with any new information and put you on a mailing list to receive updates. Days 36-39: It was a very normal work week. They had some very cool stories. National Park Ranger Salary . Day 24: Today I talked to five people about caribou, and that’s really it. I was supposed to give my talk about life in Alaska twice, but no one was around the second time. Basically, that means to see how well (or not well) I did. Sadly I’m not adjusted to the time change yet, as it’s currently 6:34 am (10:34 am in my native Florida), but I’m sure I’ll get used to it soon. There’s an air show this weekend, then next weekend a maintenance van is going down and willing to take some people, so free trip! It was still pretty fun, the day went by really quickly. Plus, you'll receive access to my resource library with exclusive content and my latest posts right to your inbox. INTERPRETIVE INTERNSHIPS . Day 21: I felt much better about my programs today. Training continues this week, and next week we’ll be traveling around the park to learn more about specific areas and see everything we’ve been told up close. Days 3-4: Training, training, training! Leverage your professional network, and get hired. Before we went and enjoyed the music, we traveled down to Homer to have a look around. So we got to go inside and see how the milling process happened, then went down to the curator’s office and got to see everything left in the mill. 61 Interviews. Backcountry Ranger Intern Program Glacier National Park will be looking to hire two Backcountry Ranger Interns in 2021, one in Saint Mary, MT and one in West Glacier, MT. My roommate won’t actually arrive until June, so I have a while by myself, but it’s nice that everyone is starting to get here. I’ve finally been to a foreign country, even if it was just Canada…. Overall, it was a wonderful trip, and I can’t wait to return. The end is near, and I’m becoming less and less okay with it every day. Park interpreters are the public face of Glacier National Park. Here, it was actually a three-day event where the sun would set for about 4.5 hours each night, but there was never actually darkness. We’ve heard that a lot of sockeye salmon are about to start their run, and we’d love to see them rushing into Valdez. It’s completely surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and the harbor right on the Prince William Sound. Serving as a Park Ranger at Olympic National Park. All next week we’ll be learning how things run over at the visitor center. none given : ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK. I got to fly over the mountains that I see every day when I wake up and get a much closer look. Website: Interpretation - National Park Service Intern. Details. That’s by far my most interesting talk it seems, although it’s also earlier in the morning so that might have an effect. Crampons really help. If you want to help conserve, present and share Queensland’s national parks with the rest of the world become a Park Ranger. in a national park. There’s a duty-stationed internship at the park museum facility, located on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque. New Park Ranger Internship jobs added daily. Phew, I’m tired! Here, you’ll learn about my national park internship at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska. It’s a pretty easy job. I’ve done three internships through this company, and feel the experiences were very worthwhile and got me to where I am today. (A high school education and volunteer program) Restoration Ecology Intern - Open! Cancel Search. Since it was so nice, we decided to stop at Worthington Glacier. It made us all cry a bit and cough for a few hours, it’s so strong. I still haven’t adjusted to the time change. Monday morning, I had the pleasure of going on a scenic overflight of my park (well, a portion of my park). My three are focused on a creature of my choosing, a guided walk on the boreal forest trail, and a talk where we stand at the bluff outside the visitor center while I talk about any relevant subject with a beautiful view behind me (most days). For more details, please view the, Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center. It was a lot different from the first time I drove the route since I did it in the beginning of May and it was absolutely covered in snow. Program interns will spend the majority of their time working on one long-term project but should also anticipate periodically assisting the staff of the national programs and government affairs department. Interns staff visitor centers and provide information and informal interpretation to visitors during fixed station and roving assignments. The intern’s salary comes from monies raised by GNPVA from activities and member contributions to the Ranger Intern Fund and through donations made to the Memorial Fund. Friday night we celebrated at the McCarthy bar, The Golden Saloon, with some bluegrass music and a full crowd of people. SCA internships are posted as they become available, so keep checking back to find the SCA position that is the best fit for you. Youth Ranger Internship Program. They were out fishing along with us. I was worried I’d be bored on the long plane trip, but when you look out the window and there are mountains as far as the eye can see, time begins to fly by. I got some fantastic wildlife pictures while I was there, and my mom and brother saw their only grizzly bears. You have to drive on a gravel road for about 60 miles, but it takes two hours. Hopefully today I feel better about them, I definitely left out some things that I wanted to include, and quite possibly rushed through the information a bit. Since Alaska is so rural, it takes a while for 9-1-1 operators to call who they need to call in order to get an ambulance out here. The cost of providing the intern’s salary in 2019 was $9,500. Once you cross the footbridge, you’re only about a ½-¾ mile walk from McCarthy, but shuttles are waiting to take you either there or another four miles to Kennecott (for a fee). Days 34-35: I could really get used to only working two days a week! For more information please email jason_griswold@nps.gov or visit the Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates. It was a very cute little town with a lot of stuff to see and do. Days 13-14: Continuing training, this week we visited Kennecott, an old copper mining district, and McCarthy, a town of about 40-50 people five miles from Kennecott. It was pretty neat to see that from a perspective other than a nervous flyer. I caught five, but two got away so I ended up with three. We counted 21 salmon the first day, but zero the second day. The highlights were seeing my first large mammals. It was most definitely the best salmon I’ve ever had. It rained the entire time she was here, but luckily she didn’t seem to mind, and the rain didn’t deter her from thinking that Alaska is nothing short of beautiful and mind-blowing. We are not currently running any internship programs. Neither of those three things ever occur in Valdez, especially on the same day! Anchorage honestly hasn’t impressed me much yet, but I’m taking a tour in a few hours so maybe I’ll change my mind. We hiked to the top of two peaks, Polychrome Mountain and the Alpine Trail hike near the Eielson Visitor Center. Hopefully, I will adapt soon. We’ll be going up to the Slana ranger station and staying at a hostel there, then exploring the Nabesna Road. Sign in to save Student Trainee (Park Ranger-Protection) at National Park Service. Day 20: Yesterday was my first-day giving ranger programs. The only strange thing was Thursday when we didn’t give a single ranger program because no visitors were around or were simply not interested. By far one of my favorite things I’ve done in Alaska so far, the 4-mile round trip trail leads you to a glacier that you can then walk on if you wish. She liked it, however, she said I could improve if I made it more of a story rather than including so many facts and figures, which makes a lot of sense. Thanks for subscribing! The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. Astronomy Internships The deadline for this job has passed and it is not visible on the eePRO Jobs page. Yesterday, I helped maintenance paint the buildings. What is over though is the long days of PowerPoint presentations. 538 Salaries. 19th Ammendment Haleakala Intern Jacob Hakim and Park Ranger Jamie Mansfield. This internship opportunity will be posted for the 2021 summer season through Pathways on USAJobs.gov. Positions. Day 1: I don’t start training until Monday so today I set up binders for the staff. I got to track a flight and answer phones when passengers and pilots called to check in. Basically summed up my week’s worth of training earlier this summer, except everyone had to attend, not just the interpretation staff. Once interviewed, I was offered the position a few days later and it was about a month before my entry on duty. Norfolk Island National Park. They’re absolutely incredible. Valdez, AK is an absolutely breathtaking city. Your email address will not be published. Millions of people visit our national parks annually, but many don’t know what a park ranger’s job is like or what our responsibilities are. But once I was in the air and got to see everything I got to see, my nerves went away for the most part and I simply enjoyed the ride. I wish I could’ve spent more time there. It was a bit cloudy and still pretty cold, but I had a great time and can’t wait to go back. Drum on the trail I take. Email or phone. Browse 43 PARK RANGER INTERNSHIP Jobs ($23K-$50K) hiring now from companies with openings. Whether at the local, state or national level, becoming a park ranger begins by meeting the education and experience requirements of the prospective employer. We saw an abundance of birds, including bald eagles and arctic terns, who have the longest migratory cycle of any bird in the world. The National Park Service works in collaboration with service corps and other organizations to provide conservation work, and educational and training opportunities. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. What? Today will be a normal day of programming for me. The sun is up like it’s noon in Florida at around 5:45 am, making it very difficult. Cancel Search. Once you’ve confirmed your subscription, you’ll receive access to the resource library and national parks visitors guide! The Pathways Student Internship Program is designed to provide students enrolled in educational institutions opportunities to work in Federal agencies and explore careers while still in school. Find your next job near you & 1-Click Apply! You have to drive on a gravel road for about 60 miles, but it takes two hours. They get a lot of snow down there, and some snow was still piled up to be taller than me! Denali is pristine wilderness and it is exhilarating to experience it first-hand. Learn more about the Park Ranger Wilderness Information Center position now! The backcountry ranger interns will be working with wilderness rangers to contact and educate the public, monitor for resource impacts, maintain backcountry campsites and assist with emergency operations such as Search and Rescue and Emergency Medical Services. If you aspire to join the ranks of park rangers or work alongside Smokey the Bear, interning abroad in a national park will provide you with invaluable field experience and plant seeds for future work in conservation, preservation, and tourism. Day 54: Today I had the opportunity to work with one of our fish biologists to analyze the water temperature, pH balance, and other levels of Tanada Lake and Copper Lake in the northern areas of the park. In my new series Ranger Life, I’ll discuss the day to day lives of park …