Internships

Shenandoah National Park is currently accepting applications for the following internships

Interpretation and Education Internships
This AmeriCorps Education and Interpretation internship position is based at Shenandoah National Park (SHEN) in Virginia. Interns may work out of Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (North District, mile 4.6), Byrd Visitor Center (Central District, mile 51) or the Education Office (Park Headquarters). Interpretation and Education Interns are responsible for preparing and presenting programs for the general public and educational groups including guided walks and hikes, interpretive talks, Junior Ranger programs, curriculum-based education programs, and illustrated evening programs on the Park's interpretive themes (wildlife, geology, ecology, history, climate change, ecology). These programs are presented in diverse park locations including amphitheaters, trails, visitor centers, and historic buildings. Interns also staff visitor centers and provide information and informal interpretation to visitors during fixed station and roving assignments.
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Resource Management Internship
The internship will focus on forest pest management and human-wildlife interactions management. The forest pest management portion will consist of assisting with the suppression of the invasive emerald ash borer using chemical treatments in order to protect a portion of the white ash in the park. It will also include some suppression of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid using chemical treatments in order to protect eastern hemlock. The human-wildlife interactions portion will consist of assisting Bear Technicians with human-bear/wildlife conflict management. This will involve assisting with securing food/coolers in campgrounds, basic aversive conditioning/hazing of black bear, public education, dealing with roadside "bear jams", and occasionally assisting with nuisance bear trapping/capture operations. It will be important that the intern can communicate well with the public to educate the public on these projects. The intern will also educate visitors about LNT practices, proper food storage, approaching wildlife too closely, etc.This excellent opportunity is ideal for enthusiastic young professionals who are deeply committed to the preservation of our national parks. Applicants must have a strong interest in a career in natural resource management, wildlife sciences, forestry, botany, biology or a related discipline.
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Vegetation Monitoring Program Volunteer Coordinator Internship
The intern will work as a team with the Vegetation Projects Volunteer Coordinator to manage multiple long and short-term vegetation management and protection volunteer projects in meadow, forest, and rock outcrop areas of the Park. Field event preparation, management and participation (60%); citizen science program data summarization (15%); planning, supply and equipment, and volunteer management (10%); assist with other ongoing vegetation monitoring projects (5%); receive training for plant identification, sampling methods, and field safety (5%); and cross-train with other natural resource management operations (5%). This excellent opportunity is ideal for enthusiastic young professionals who are deeply committed to the preservation of our national parks, and are interested in dedicating 22 weeks in support of the National Park Service and Shenandoah National Park.
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Forest Vegetation Internship
The intern will participate as part of a crew to monitor forest vegetation using standard sampling techniques (65%); assist with rare plant monitoring activities (10%); perform data entry and management tasks, particularly on rainy days (10%); participate in meadow monitoring (5%); receive training for plant identification, sampling methods, and field safety (5%); and cross-train with other natural resource management operations (5%). This excellent opportunity is ideal for enthusiastic young professionals who are deeply committed to the preservation of our national parks. Applicants must have a strong interest in a career in biology, botany, natural resource management, ecology, forestry, or a related discipline.
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Museum Collections Management Internship
Park museum intern will assist with all aspects of museum collection management for a collection of over 1,000,000 objects (cultural and natural history). Collections are located in two historic house museums (Rapidan Camp and Massanutten Lodge), the Byrd Visitor Center, and the collection storage/research space. Intern will assist with documentation, preservation, access and use of museum collections. They will perform cataloging including labeling and data entry into the Interior Museum Collection Management System (ICMS), assist with accessioning and loans, photo documentation of objects; perform preventive maintenance, possibly some light conservation work, rehousing of object, assist with winter breakdown of historic house museums, environmental monitoring including integrated pest management, light readings, temperature and humidity; assist with research requests, digitize and research historic photographs for use on social media. Will also assist with reincorporation of natural history specimens back into the museum collection. May work with oral history program and GIS/museum collection projects, and other mutually agreed duties.
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Visual Media Assistant Internship
The Visual Media Assistant will work with the Shenandoah National Park visual media staff to assist with all activities associated with numerous film projects. The intern will help scout locations, prepare, pack, transport, clean, and maintain film equipment including cameras, lenses, batteries, tripods and other equipment associated with obtaining footage. The intern will also, under direction of the staff and producer, capture film and then process and log footage according to the established workflow of the media department. The intern may also create short videos including researching, developing key concepts, storyboarding, capturing footage, processing, logging and editing to convey a specific message to the public. The intern may also be asked to capture still photography for use in projects and the press.
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