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 the mentor listed under the position description you are applying for. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.
Live and work in the Rincon Mountains
Manning Camp Wilderness Assistant Intern: POSITION IS FILLED
Work Dates: May 2021 - October 2021
Pay: $16.13/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 Steve Bolyard, Rincon Mountain District Ranger
NextGen Ranger Intern leading a hiking club
Interpretation Intern: POSITION IS FILLED
Work dates: ongoing
Pay: $16.13/hour, 32-40 hours / week, weekends and some evenings, 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 and inspiration to visitors from all over the world.
Description of Duties: Intern will work with 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, assist with issuing federal recreation passes, researching and developing original interpretive programs (guided 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!
Send resumes to Richard Hill, District Interpreter for the Tucson Mountain District - West.
Trail Crew YCC Mentor: POSITIONS ARE FILLED
Work Dates: Late May - August 2021
pay: $19.54/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 Nick Huck, Trails Supervisor.
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 will be stationed in the park's west district.
Interested applicants should send their resume to Richard Goepfrich, Facilities Division Chief
