Internship Opportunities

NPS Photo / S. Singleton

 

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was established in 1970 to preserve its many outstanding natural features. The National Park Service protects the forests, beaches, dunes, and ancient glacial phenomena along 72 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, to protect it from developments and uses that would destroy its aesthetic, scientific and recreational value. The Lakeshore's historic maritime and agricultural landscapes are of a size and quality that are unique on the Great Lakes and rare elsewhere on the U.S. coastline. Located only 25 miles from Traverse City, the Lakeshore is accessible year-round for all to enjoy. Sleeping Bear Dunes is seeking current college students (18+ years old) and recent graduates (up to two years post-graduation) to fill winter internships in Education and Natural Resources

 

 

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Winter Education Internships

Application Deadline: Sunday, September 20, 2026.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is seeking current college students (18+ years old) and recent graduates) to fill up to two (2) Education Intern positions. These internships will be around 24 weeks (5.5 months) long, with a tentative start date of Monday, December 28, 2026.

After two weeks of training, interns will assist rangers on the Education Team with daily operations. This will begin with the Winter Experience field trip season, which typically runs through mid-March. The interns will then pivot to spring field trip programs after another round of training, which will carry through the end of the school year in mid-June. Interns will typically work Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday, from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The exact start and end date can be slightly flexible, depending on applicant availability.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Facilitating outdoor field trips with students ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade (with the majority being 3rd-5th grade)

• Snowshoeing up to a mile each day in the winter and hiking up to a couple miles each day in the spring with students and the general public.

• Presenting virtual and in-person curriculum-based lessons and activities on topics like ecology, ecosystem health, the National Park Service mission, and local history.

• Operating a state-of-the-art mobile planetarium dome during visits to local schools.

• Creating original content for the park’s social media platforms.

• Staffing popular park events such as Candlelight Hikes and Maple Sugaring Days.

Winter Natural Resource Internships

Check back for details soon.

Additional Opportunities with Park Partners

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes

No Current Opportunities

Sleeping Bear Forever

No Current Opportunities

Requirements

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

• Must be able to successfully complete a background investigation, including an FBI fingerprint check, prior to beginning the internship.

• Must possess a valid state driver’s license. You will be asked to pass an online defensive driving course prior to driving a government vehicle if required.

• You may be asked to wear a uniform, if so, uniform items will be issued and required to be worn in accordance with established standards.

• The work will require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing/walking outdoors over rough terrain and exposure to weather.

All internships require a working knowledge of cultural and/or natural resources management techniques. Your application should note relevant course work and/or related field experience.

Some examples of relevant coursework:

• Natural Resource Management: wildlife, vegetation, GIS, water quality management.

• Park Ranger (Interpretation): environmental and/or cultural history education principles/ techniques, and the ability to prepare and present interpretive programs to large groups.

• Fee collection / Interpretation / PSAR: knowledge /experience in backcountry & wilderness operations, Leave-No-Trace, and the ability to convey information and rules to visitors.

• Marketing/Social Media: professional management of multiple social media platforms, photography, writing, communication with visitors and interacting with partner organizations.

Benefits

Interns will receive a $42.00 per day meal stipend (distributed biweekly in a $588 lump sum).

Government housing may be provided.

You will receive valuable hands-on experience at a National Park Service site with opportunities for professional development.

These opportunities will vary depending on your position and may include:

• Background in NPS policy, history and organization

• Interpretive philosophy, theory, and methods

• Basic history, geology and ecology of the area

• Safety

• First aid and CPR

• Visitor services

• Resource management goals.

Academic credit may be arranged with the intern’s school. Research topics or independent study projects will be agreed upon by the intern, the college advisor, and the NPS supervisor.

Housing and Transportation Information

Mainland Staff

Government housing may be available for mainland staff. Housing is located in Empire, which has banks, restaurants, churches, gas station, medical care, and daycare. More extensive shopping, medical, and recreational opportunities are available within 30 miles. Mainland interns are responsible for their own transportation to work each day. Mainland interns may be assigned to work on the Manitou Islands for periods of time (up to 10 days). While on the islands, they may be assigned to camp or be in park housing. Camping equipment, except for backpacks and sleeping bags, will be provided.

Public Transportation

Public transportation to and from Traverse City is available via the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) on a regular basis. Please see their website for more specific information.

How to Apply

Email a COMPLETE application packet to [e-mail] by the following deadlines:

• Winter Education Internships: Sunday, September 20, 2026

• Winter Natural Resources Internships: TBD, Check Back Soon.

A complete application package requires the following:

• A current resume that includes relevant job and/or life experiences

• A cover letter explaining what makes you a good candidate and includes which internship(s) you are applying for

• Contact Information for at least two references

• At least one letter of recommendation

• Your transcripts, unofficial are acceptable

Please label all application documents with your first and last name in the file name.

For more information, visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore website or [e-mail].