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.

 

 

NPS Photo / T. Withers

Winter Internship Positions

Winter Education and Interpretation Interns - 2026

The National Lakeshore is hiring winter education interns for the early 2026 winter season. Chosen candidates will gain firsthand experience working alongside rangers. Duties include:

• Leading snowshoe hikes and field trips with students ranging from 3rd-12th grade
• 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 during visits to local schools
• Creating original content for the park’s social media platforms
• Having an epic time while building towards a career in outdoor education!

Winter internships are roughly three months long, with start dates in early January. Interns will typically work Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday, from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Compensation includes a stipend of $42 per day, free government housing, and a volunteer uniform.

Apply by August 25, 2025 to receive first consideration. In your application, please include:

• A resume
• A cover letter explaining what makes you a good candidate
• Contact information for at least two references
• At least one letter of recommendation

Email your application to [e-mail], or mail them to:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
ATTN: Education Team
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630

 

NPS Photo

Winter Natural Resources Interns - 2026

The National Lakeshore is currently seeking winter interns for the early 2026 winter season. Chosen candidates will gain firsthand experience working alongside Park Service staff on forest health projects. Main duties consist of:

• Meandering surveys and delimitation of treatment areas for hemlock woolly adelgid throughout the park.
• Identifying Great Lakes forests pests and tree species
• Navigating to sites on and off trail in forested areas
• Interpreting maps and using mapping software
• Operating a 4-wheel drive government vehicle to travel to survey sites
• Communication with park visitors
• Maintenance of equipment
• Physical exertion, such as long periods of standing/walking outdoors over rough terrain, and exposure to winter weather.

Interns will be provided training on pest and tree identification, navigation, map interpretation, software use, visitor communication, and equipment maintenance.

The internship lasts from approximately January 5 - April 17, with some flexibility on dates. Interns will typically work Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Compensation includes a stipend of $42 per day and free government housing. Interns are required to provide their own coats, snow/rain pants, and other cold weather gear. A stipend for purchasing boots is available. Snowshoes and shoe traction devices will also be available for interns to use when needed.

Interns are not required to be students, but academic credit may be arranged with the intern’s school if applicable. Research topics or independent study projects will be agreed upon by the intern, the college advisor, and the NPS supervisor.

Additional Requirements

Interns will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, including an FBI fingerprint check, prior to beginning their internship.
Interns must possess a valid state driver’s license, pass an online defensive driving course and may be required to drive a government vehicle.

Apply by November 11, 2025 to receive first consideration. In your application, please include:

• A resume
• A cover letter explaining what makes you a good candidate
• Contact information for at least two references
• At least one letter of recommendation

Unofficial transcripts will be requested after initial materials are received.

Email your application to [e-mail], or mail them to:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
ATTN: Forest Health
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630

 

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Summer Internship Positions

Cultural Resource Management

These internships works directly with the park’s historical architect and not with a park partner group.

Historic and Landscape Architect Interns

Assist with documenting conditions of park historic architecture and cultural landscapes.
Develop design plans for preservation of historic buildings and landscapes.

Horticulturalist Interns

Identify heritage plant species for cultural landscape inventory.
Develop planting plans for historic sites.
Help restore cultural landscape features.
Assist in the Antique Apple Orchard and Nursery to care for rare apple varieties.
Scout for pests and identify apple varieties.
Possibly help with grafting and pruning of the trees.

Historic Preservation Interns

Assist in preparing National Register Nominations for review.
Help with submitting nominations for addition on the National Register of Historic Places.
This internship can be in any season for students who have an open term or have recently graduated.

Interpretation Interns

Interpretation Interns create and provide audience-centered experiences.
Gain skills in interpretation. Present ranger programs activities throughout the park. Create content for the park’s social media platforms. Assist with planning and facilitating special events.

Natural Resources

Piping Plover & BARK Ranger Interns

Piping Plover & BARK Ranger Interns help coordinate the BARK Ranger volunteer program.
As the intern, you will:
Assist with outreach events,
Work with volunteers,
Educate others about piping plover conservation,
And monitor federally endangered piping plovers.

This internship is ideal for an organized, people person with strong communication skills. A passion for birds and endangered species conservation is a plus.

 

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Requirements

All internships require a working knowledge of cultural and/or natural resources management techniques. The work will require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing/walking outdoors over rough terrain and exposure to weather.

You should have relevant course work and/or related field experience in your application for the following:

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.

Facility Management: engineering, architecture, construction trades, and facility maintenance operations.

Cultural Resource Management: museum library or artifact inventory/handling, CAD, architecture, horticulture, historic preservation.

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

Additional Requirements

Interns will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, including an FBI fingerprint check, prior to beginning their internship.

Interns must possess a valid state driver’s license, pass an online defensive driving course and may be required to drive a government vehicle.

If in a uniformed intern opportunity, uniform items will be issued and be required to be worn in accordance with established standards.

 

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Benefits

Interns will receive a $42.00 per day meal stipend, housing is provided.

You will receive valuable hands-on experience to add to career resumes.

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.

All interns participate in orientation training classes. Orientation topics will vary depending on your position, but may include:

• 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.

 

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Housing and Transporation

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.

Island Staff

Government housing is available for island staff. This housing is located on the Manitou Islands, which are approximately 7 miles offshore in Lake Michigan. No other facilities are on the islands. Island staff usually work 10 days on the islands and have four days off. Temporary housing is available on the mainland for island staff on their days off. This housing is remotely located, so interns should have their own transportation for shopping and other amenities. The park boat and the concession ferry provide access to and from the islands during the summer months. Island employees may ride the park boat or concession ferry at least once per month at no charge or more frequently on a space-available basis.

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.

 

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How to Apply

To apply for a summer internship, mail a hard copy of the following documents by March 1:

1. Your resume, including relevant jobs and/or life experiences
2. A cover letter including which internship(s) you are applying for, and why
3. Contact information for at least two references
4. At least one letter of recommendation
5. Your transcripts (unofficial is fine)

You can apply for multiple internships with one application package. In your cover letter, list the positions to which you wish to apply and specifically address how your knowledge skills and abilities relate to each.

Mail applications to:

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
ATTN: Intern Program
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630

For more information, visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore website or contact the volunteer coordinator.

To apply to a winter internship, follow the steps outlined in the internship descriptions.