Four types of internships are available through this program (which is limited to UC Merced undergraduate students):

• Interpretation and Education

• Wilderness/Protection

• Resources Management and Science

• Preventative Search and Rescue

Download the application. Applications must be received by April 1, 2008. Applications received after April 1 will be put on a waiting list.

Interpretation and Education

The major duties for a Yosemite Valley field interpretation intern include conducting guided interpretive programs for the public and providing informal interpretation to culturally diverse visitors encountered during visitor center desk and roving duties. The guided programs (30 to 90 minutes) offered by the intern consist of a variety of walks and talks covering topics such as trees, bears, history, wildlife, junior rangers, American Indian culture, etc. These programs are researched and developed by the intern and generally reflect the interests of the intern. A major goal for interpreters providing such programs is to connect the visitor to the resource and create a sense of stewardship among these visitors. Typically the intern needs to develop one or two programs in a summer. In addition to this variety of formal interpretive programs, another task is being stationed at the visitor center desk in order to answer frequently asked questions and provide trip planning assistance. Here, the interpreter serves as an initial contact point for visitors, providing orientation by answering inquiries about a wide range of topics such as: hiking, weather, road conditions, ranger programs, park history, visitor center exhibits, safety concerns, accessibility, natural and cultural resource information, recreational opportunities of the park, and camping and lodging within Yosemite and the surrounding area. Parts of this assignment can be monotonous, in that the interpreter answers a repetitive series of questions and encounter visitors who have done little or no pre-trip planning. Thus, gauging a visitor's needs and abilities is essential in presenting them with trip planning options. Promoting tours and interpretive walks that can be geared toward families with children or varying groups is an important part of this duty. Because visitors have travelled from all over the world in order to visit Yosemite, the interpreter often experiences language barriers, therefore facilitating the use of brochures printed in various languages such as German, French, and Japanese. Providing assistance to international visitors as well as visitors with special needs is vital to operations at the desk. While stationed at the desk, the interpreter also may swear in junior rangers, presenting these young stewards with the junior ranger pledge as well as a badge. Maintaining the function and cleanliness of visitor center exhibits, as well as stocking the desk with maps, hiking information, and other handouts is an important part of the job. The interpreter will receive numerous visitor comment forms at the desk and provide lost and found services to the public. Time at the visitor center is spent working in cooperation with paid staff and other park volunteers. Yosemite, which hosts nearly four million visitors annually, exists as a very busy park, and the visitor center is central to operations. A steady stream of visitors come through this visitor center, and answering questions expediently while still giving each visitor the proper care and attention exists as a vital part of this operation. Another important part of being an interpreter in Yosemite is providing "roving interpretation." During this duty, the interpreter is available to the public and is  often approached for everything from simple orientation questions to the more in-depth discussions about aspects of the park. Many visitors express their appreciation for our willingness to help and availability for such discussions. In order to keep track of informal visitor contacts during roving interpretation, we also maintain and record this statistical data into the computer. On occasion, the interpreter will answer written requests for information by mail, sending educational material to both children and adults. Part of interpretive duties also includes working during the nighttime in order to educate visitors staying in campgrounds about the active bear population and proper food storage. For this task, the interpreter often works closely with the wildlife technicians and law enforcement rangers. While bear roving, interpreters provide information to visitors not only about food storage, but also about what to do in the event that they do encounter a bear while camping. Part of this duty is also the issuing of written or verbal warnings for food storage violations, while maintaining a sense of tact and diplomacy in carrying out this task. When a bear does enter into these areas in search of "people food," interpreters may physically chase these bears out, assisting with the goal of negatively conditioning bears who have become dependent on unnatural food sources. Much of this work involves irregular/late hours and requires interns to be self-sufficient and self-motivated in carrying out assigned duties. Because interpreters work in a setting frequented by such large numbers of visitors, upholding the ideals of the National Park Service has become a very real part of everyday duty in that it is essential to educate the public about the need to preserve the natural beauty and scenery for future generations. Because Yosemite offers recreational activities ranging from rock-climbing and hiking to bike rentals, fishing, and rafting, every visitor contact becomes a chance for field interpreters to enhance visitor appreciation of the natural beauty of the park as well as enjoy these other activities, while remaining mindful of the impact they have on the land.

Wilderness/Protection

Overview
This position is based in one of the four wilderness centers in Yosemite National Park. The position is split out to be about 40 percent in the field and 60 percent in the wilderness center. In the wilderness center, you will: advise backcountry users on trails and trail conditions, answer general park information questions, issue permits, clean and inventory bear canisters, work on special projects, and assist with sales. Wilderness patrols include: hiking trails, contacting visitors to provide information about bear defense tactics and regulations, rehabilitating campsites, responding to emergencies, working with restoration crews, inventorying wilderness and trail conditions and answering visitor questions. Wilderness patrols are one to three days in length and typically you will be teamed up with a wilderness ranger. Hopefully, you will possess a current first aid and CPR card in order to provide initial assistance in emergency situations. You will also need to have and maintain a high degree of physical fitness. On patrol hikes, you may encounter a variety of conditions and weather. Conversely, when working at the wilderness center you will be inside most of the day.

Skills and Values Learned
As a wilderness intern working in both the frontcountry and backcountry you will encounter a wide variety of situations that require you to use your best judgment and work as a team in the center or with your partner in the field. From this array of encounters you will learn or hone your:

• Customer service skills
• Visitor and resource management knowledge
• Wilderness skills and values
• Communication skills
• Emergency response

Past employees have also have remarked on how much more confident they feel and that they have more faith in their skills to handle dynamic situations. Their appreciation and understanding for the need for wild places has increased and that intangible values those places hold have changed them in a positive way.

Requirements

• Good customer service skills
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather
• Familiarity with Windows-based computers
• Valid State driver's license

Strongly Recommended

• Basic knowledge of hiking and backpacking (we provide equipment)
• First Aid and CPR certifications

Training Provided

• CPR and First Aid (depending on availability at the Park)
• Wilderness and Leave No Trace travel skills
• Wilderness ethics, history and regulations
• Bear awareness and negative conditioning
• Park Orientation and specific job duties

Past UC Students
P.J. Solomon (2007), Harry Ramirez (2007)

Resources Management and Science

Yosemite Archeology Program:
Intern may do any or all of the following:

• Participate in field data collection documenting and mapping archeological sites
• Conduct site condition assessments
• Enter archeological site data
• Process artifacts and assist with small-scale reporting

Successful candidates must be a team player and have the ability to hike under strenuous conditions--at high elevations, over rough terrain, carrying a heavy pack, often at extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions. Candidates must be willing to camp in Wilderness for up to eight days at a time.

Supervisor: Laura Kirn

Invasive Plants Team:
Invasive, non-native plants are a big problem in national parks like Yosemite.  The intern will work as part of a team to map invasive plants in the Wawona area using GPS and PDAs. The Wawona Weeds Project started last year and will continue this summer with additional mapping and control of priority invasive plants, outreach to the Wawona community about invasive plants, and working with volunteer groups.  The intern will learn field skills in botany, plant identification, invasive plant control techniques, use of GPS, and possibly obliteration of illegal off-road vehicle routes.

The successful candidate should enjoy working outdoors in a variety of weather, be a team player, be organized and be detail oriented as well as have an interest in biology, ecology and outreach.  Computer literacy is also important.

Supervisor: Judy Weaser

Soundscapes Intern Position Description:
The selected intern will coordinate all aspects of data collection associated with soundscape monitoring.  Data collection will occur throughout the park, in both developed and undeveloped areas, and at varying times of day.  Data will be collected by a variety of groups, including the Natural Sounds Society, the Access Fund, NPS staff, and possibly other collaborators.  Targeted studies in campgrounds and along roadsides may be initiated in collaboration with the Protection Division and other entities.  In order to coordinate data collection, the intern will need to be able to follow standardized data collection protocols, and to perform quality assurance/quality control on the data.  The intern will collect sound data as time permits. 

The successful candidate should be someone who enjoys hiking, working outdoors, and is detail oriented.

Supervisor: Joe Meyer

Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR)

The Yosemite Valley District may fill one or more part-time, seasonal, PSAR/Wildlife volunteer positions each year. These positions are based in Little Yosemite Valley (LYV), which contains the trail network leading to Half Dome. While there are no roads in this wilderness area it is one of the busiest trail systems in Yosemite and the National Park System. Due to the volume of hikers in this area there is often a need for extra persons to patrol the trails and assist visitors.

The PSAR portion of the position involves talking to hikers about their skill level and known hazards in an attempt to prevent any mishaps. Additionally, the volunteer is expected to respond to and report emergencies as well as assist with SAR operations. The wildlife management portion of the position involves assisting and educating hikers on how to keep Yosemite’s wildlife wild. Specifically, the intern is trained to assist with monitoring bear activity and assisting visitors with proper food storage. Volunteers are also expected to the assist the LYV Rangers with operations and projects.

This is a great opportunity for anyone thinking of a career with the National Park Service, Emergency Medicine, Search and Rescue, or Wildlife Management. Backcountry "housing" and food are provided at the LYV ranger station and "off-duty" housing may be available in Yosemite Valley. The season runs from roughly mid-May through mid-October.

A good attitude and an aptitude for new experiences may be more important than current knowledge and skills.