Open Positions
Join Us!Just like our homes, schools, and workplaces, National Park Service (NPS) sites require properly functioning water and wastewater systems. These critical systems provide clean drinking water and treat sewage before discharge or reuse. In doing so, the NPS meets regulatory requirements, protects natural resources, preserves wildlife ecosystems, and ensures public health and safety.
The Utility Systems Internship is a program of the National Park Service (NPS) which introduces young adults between the ages of 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans) to the water/wastewater career field. Participants work alongside NPS staff to ensure proper water/wastewater monitoring, treatment, and repair of critical utilities systems and infrastructure. This unique opportunity offers the chance to work on real-life projects, build professional experience, earn a wage, and nurture life-long connections to America's national parks.
Start your next adventure and join the Utility Systems Internship!
Program Overview
Over the course of 12 or 26 weeks, participants train and work alongside experienced NPS staff to maintain and repair water/wastewater systems. Program participants can expect to gain foundational skills in areas such as water quality testing, system monitoring/treatment, and preventative/general maintenance in a National Park. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals will have earned time towards state certification to become a licensed water/wastewater operator.The Utility Systems Internship is a new focus of the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP), established by the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center. To learn more about opportunities focused on historic building preservation, cultural landscape management, and other fields such as engineering, architecture, and planning visit our webpage.
NPS
Who can Apply?
- Youth must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
- Veterans must be between 18 and 35 years of age and possess a DD214 with a discharge status of Honorable or General under Honorable Conditions.
- Participants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident.
- No prior utilities systems experience is required to be eligible to participate.
How to Apply
Most positions have varied start dates but typically begin between March and June, with a few positions starting in summer or fall. Positions currently accepting applications will be posted on our partner’s webpage.Applicant's Frequently Asked Questions
No. While you will be mentored by National Park Service employee on National Park Service sites, you will be employed by one of our approved Corps Network partner organizations.
Participants will receive hands-on training opportunities in cultural landscape preservation and conservation while earning a base living allowance equivalent to $18 per hour. Additionally, interns will receive:
- $1,000 professional development funds
- Hands-on training in water/wastewater maintenance and operations from NPS professionals
- NPS networking opportunities
- Professional development training
- Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority
Yes. Participants will work an average of 40 hours per week for the 26-week position. These may be five 8-hour days, or 10-hour four day weeks, depending on park staff schedules.
Under the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps initiative, young adults participating in LSC must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years to participate. Veterans qualify up to the age of 35 years of age and must possess a DD214 with a discharge status of Honorable or General under Honorable Conditions. The only other requirements are to have a strong interest in public lands management, facility maintenance and/or water/wastewater operations, and have enthusiasm to both learn and work hard!
Participants must be comfortable working outside in varying weather conditions and sometimes at heights. Participants must have a willingness to work hard and get dirty. Given the nature of the work, it is important for participants to be realistic about their capabilities and ensure they understand the expectations of the position they apply for.
While there is no guarantee of employment when the program is completed, a program goal program is to support diverse youth in gaining marketable skills in the conservation field —skills that are sought after both private and public sectors, including the National Park Service. Young adults successfully completing the Utility Systems Internship requirements are eligible for Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority. This means that they are eligible to receive PLC noncompetitive hiring authority and use it to apply for eligible federal jobs within two years of completing the program.
Contact
Questions? Email our team.Last updated: July 31, 2026