Friends of Saguaro (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 Olivia Otero, program coordinator, and specify which position you are applying for.
Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.
NextGen Ranger Intern leading a hiking club
Interpretation Intern (Rincon Mountain District):
Work dates: Late August through December 2017, including most Saturdays
Pay: $16.13/hour, 24 hours / week - may vary
This position requires an enthusiastic person who loves communicating with visitors about the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. The intern will learn about park resources, including natural and cultural history, and work with park staff to provide customer service to visitors from all over the world.
Description of Duties: Intern will work with Rincon Mountain District Interpretive staff and will have an opportunity to experience a traditional interpretive operation in a national park. Tasks may include assisting with visitor contacts in the visitor center, issue backcountry permits, assist with issuing federal recreation passes, researching and developing original interpretive programs (walks and talks). In addition this position will assist with developing content for the park's social media and website.
Familiarity with social and digital media is a must, the ability to speak and write in Spanish would be a bonus!
Hike to the top of the Rincons
L. Nichols
Manning Camp Wilderness Intern:
Work dates: Early June - 9/30/17
Pay: $16.13/hour, 40 hours/week
Position is located at Manning Camp, which is a 10 mile, strenuous hike from the headquarters area in the park's east district. Living conditions at Manning camp are primitive, and require knowledge of primitive living.
Description of Duties: In addition to living and working in Saguaro National Park's remote Wilderness, the intern will have an opportunity to learn about logisitics of hosting crews at a remote duty station, assisting Trails Crew work/trail building and repair, peforming field work for Resource Management, providing information to visitors who are hiking the Arizona Trail, and assisting Wilderness Ranger with initial responses to search and rescue or other emergent situations on the mountain.
The work schedule for this position is 8 - 10 hour days on duty and 6 days off. Employees hike to Manning on their first day, and back to the headquarters area on the 8th day. Supplies are transported to Manning by the park's mule packing operation
Work with Sunny the Saguaro at special events and community festivals.
Community Engagement and Outreach Intern:
Work Dates: July 2017 - December 2017
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: Early June - 12/31/17
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.
Trail Crew YCC Mentor (female): POSITION IS FILLED!
Work Dates: 6/1/17-7/28/17
pay: $15.38/hour, 40 hours per week
Description of Duties: The selected Next Generation Ranger 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.
