The Friends of Saguaro National Park (FOSNP) and Saguaro National Park joined together in early 2015 to establish a Next Generation Ranger Corps (Next Gen) program -- designed to enable young people interested in a career with the NPS to discover the agency and its different operational divisions, by providing college students an experiential, engaging, and supportive learning and working opportunity at Saguaro National Park.
The FOSNP NextGen internship program seeks to expand Saguaro National Park's urban outreach; strengthen the Park's connection to local schools; provide targeted training, mentoring, and work experiences for qualified participants; achieve greater levels of engagement with underserved communities; provide competitive hourly wages to participants; achieve Park resource protection objectives; and create an ethic of conservation and resource stewardship.
Available Opportunities:
Send resume to the mentor listed under the position description you are applying for.
Digital Interpretation
Applications due August 19, 2022, email resume or inquiry to Perri Spreiser
Start Date: August 29, 2022
End Date: August 25, 2023
Salary: $16.13+ per hour
Schedule: 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., 40 hours per week. The days of the week worked are flexible and we can accommodate schedule variations as they arise.
Duty Station: Saguaro National Park East - Rincon Mountain Visitor Center
Primary Duties
Lead park efforts to establish an enriching digital presence for Saguaro National Park to include:
The park website (nps.gov/sagu)
NPS Mobile App
Social media
Perform digital asset management on extensive collection of images, audio, and video files
Produce interpretive digital products that support operational needs in interpretation, outreach, and education
Join interpretive teammates in shared activities such as visitor center operations, outreach events, and public programming
Critical Skills, Experience, and Education
Have completed at least two years of a college degree seeking program
Ability to safely drive a wide range of vehicles; a valid driver’s license is required
Ability to manage own tasks and duties independently
Must complete federal background check process
Must be 18-30 years old
Spanish, O’odham, or Yoeme language skills a plus
NextGen Ranger Intern leading a hiking club
Education and Interpretation
Applications due August 19, 2022, email resume or send an inquiry to SAGU Education
Start Date: August 29, 2022
End Date: April 22, 2023
Salary: $16.13+ per hour
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday (with some flexibility!)
Duty Station: Both districts of Saguaro National Park
Primary Duties
Prepare and facilitate curriculum-based programs in the park, in classroom, and virtually to diverse audiences
Design and create original interpretive activities, props, visual aids, games, and promotional materials. May include digital graphic design work as well as crafting 3-dimensional objects.
Prepare and facilitate non-curriculum-based events and activities such as camps, hiking club family picnics and camp outs, Cactus Ranger outtings, family-friendly interpretive programs, evening programs, offsite outreach events
Assist in strengthening the park’s relationship with local communities and developing a mutually beneficial relationship
Join interpretive teammates in shared activities such as visitor center operations, outreach events, and public programming
Critical Skills, Experience, and Education
Demonstrated ability working with youth of all ages
Experience in and/or willingness to hike on/off trail in rugged terrain in a variety of weather conditions
Ability to provide friendly customer service and public communication
Have completed at least two years of a college degree seeking program; preferably in education, communication, sciences, recreation or related fields
Ability to safely drive a wide range of vehicles; a valid driver’s license is required
Ability to manage own tasks and duties independently
Must complete federal background check process
Must be 18-30 years old
Spanish language skills a plus
O’odham or Yoeme language skills a plus
Benefits
Diverse work experience in interpretation
Professional development and training opportunities (e.g. Wilderness First Aid, curriculum-development, professional conferences, etc.)
Cross-training with all park divisions including resource management, trails, law enforcement, etc.
Public Lands Corps hiring authority eligible once 640 hour minimum has been met
Applications due August 19, 2022, email resume or inquiry to Melanie Rawlins
Start Date: August 29, 2022
End Date: August 25, 2023
Salary: $16.13+ per hour
Schedule: Varies
Duty Station: Varies
This 1-year, full-time internship will be a combined experience working in the Education branch, on the Trails crew, and on the Resource Management team. The position will be ideal for someone who is seeking a broad array of experience in multiple park disciplines.
Primary Duties (Education)
Prepare and facilitate curriculum-based programs in the park, at schools, and virtually to diverse audiences
Design and create original interpretive activities, props, visual aids, games, and promotional materials. May include digital graphic design work as well as crafting 3-dimensional objects.
Prepare and facilitate non-curriculum-based events and activities such as camps, hiking club family picnics and camp outs, Cactus Ranger outtings, family-friendly interpretive programs, evening programs, and offsite outreach events
Primary Duties (Resource Management)
Removal of invasive plants
Conducting plant and wildlife surveys
Ecological restoration
Data management and office-based work
Primary Duties (Trails)
Repairing and building trails
Trail brushing
Backcountry travel and some other travel outside of the park may be required
Critical Skills, Experience, and Education
Demonstrated ability working with youth of all ages
Experience in and/or willingness to hike on/off trail in rugged terrain in a variety of weather conditions
Experience in and/or willingness to engage in hard physical work with some long days
Strong outdoor skills
Ability to provide friendly customer service and public communication
Ability to safely drive a wide range of vehicles; a valid driver’s license is required
Ability to manage own tasks and duties independently
Must complete federal background check process
Must be 18-30 years old
Spanish language skills a plus
O’odham or Yoeme language skills a plus
Filled Positions
Do any of these positions look interesting? Keep an eye on this page for future opportunities!
Live and work in the Rincon Mountains
Manning Camp Wilderness Assistant Intern:POSITION IS FILLED
Work Dates: March 2022 - November 2022 Pay: $19.75/hour, 40 hours/week
Manning Camp is located at the top of the Rincon Mountains at 8,000 ft elevation.
The only access to the camp is on foot, a 10-mile hike with around 5,000 ft elevation gain.
Description of Duties: The Assistant Manning Camp Ranger works remotely at the historic Manning Cabin and assists as the wilderness station host. This includes maintaining and overseeing the historic Manning Cabin and accompanying campgrounds. Ensuring that supplies delivered by mules for remote work crews are inventoried and available, as well as assisting fire crew, trail crews, and resource crews when they are base camping out of the cabin area. The cabin is located along the Arizona Trail and greeting hikers and answering questions is expected. This work is done in conjunction with the Manning Camp Ranger and eventually on a staggered schedule, alternating work days with the ranger, requiring some days alone on the mountain. Typical duties include: maintaining the cabin and outhouse; pumping and filtering water; interacting with hikers, campers, and other park staff; routinely surveying trails and nearby campgrounds; and utilizing backcountry communications to check in with park staff.
Useful experience for this position includes: self-supported hiking, camping, and backpacking; wilderness first aid or medicine; trail and other types of maintenance; physical fitness; heat tolerance; knowledge of the park resources; and interacting with park visitors. This position is very remote and isolated and will suit an individual who enjoys both working closely with others and working solo.
Interested applicants should send their resume to Rich Geopfrich.
Trail Crew YCC Mentor: POSITION IS FILLED
Work Dates: Mid May - early August 2022
pay: $19.74/hour, 40 hours per week
Description of Duties: The selected Next Generation Rangers will be coordinating and supervising this year’s co-ed Youth Conservation Corps Trail Crew. Intern will be exposed to the elements for prolonged periods, working outdoors and camping for up to 10 days at a time, under rugged conditions.
Camping and backpacking experience is required, but training will be provided.
During employment intern will perform routine trail maintenance tasks (pruning overgrowth, clearing drains, and other duties as assigned) in the wilderness of Saguaro National Park, while providing logistical and safety support to the youth crew. Physical fitness is required. These activities are strenuous and will include carrying a heavy backpack throughout the work day. Send resumes to Christina Cultrara.
One of our work locations at the Red Hills Visitor Center.
NPS Photo
Business Revenue Intern:POSITION IS FILLED
Work dates: May 2019 - August 2019
Pay: $13.68/hour, 40 hours/week
Position is located at the Saguaro National Park Rincon Mountain District (East) visitor center and entrance station and the Tucson Mountain District (west) visitor center.
Description of Duties: The intern will have opportunities to work alongside the Business Revenue staff to account for, deposit, document and collect fee revenue in Saguaro National Park via hands-on experience. In addition, the intern will provide visitor services such as information, direction and informal interpretation of the park’s natural and cultural resources to people entering the site.
Work with Sunny the Saguaro at special events and community festivals.
Community Outreach Intern:POSITION IS FILLED
Work Dates: ongoing
pay: $16.13 / hr, 20+ hours per week
The Community Engagment and Outreach Intern will work to strengthen the Park's connection to the Tucson community through our associations with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, schools and other stakeholders.
Description of Duties: Duties include assisting in implementing strategic communication plans, including the use of social media, attending community festivals, planning family program events in the park and special events, caretaking of Sunny the Saguaro, and supporting internal communication for park staff and volunteers.
Spanish language, both written and verbal, is preferred.
Work with the park Facilities Management crew!
Facilities Management Assistant Intern: POSITION IS FILLED
Work Dates: ongoing
Pay: $16.13/hour, 40 hours/week
This intern will get a hands on overview of all areas of modern Facilities Management & Maintenance in the National Park Service.
Description of Duties: The selected NextGen intern will gain knowledge and experience in trade skills such as plumbing, electrical, and carpentry, asset inventory and management, performing and documenting condition assessments on roads, buildings, and trails. Intern will also assist with contract surveillance, asset management, labor tracking database and software. They will also be given opportunities for additional cross-training and professional training opportunities in all areas of park managment. This position provides the incumbent with the opportunity to work in both the east and west districts of the Park.
Interested applicants should send their resume to Jeff Gnann, Maintenance Supervisor
