Find your passion! If you are between 15 to 30 years old, or a military veteran who is 35 years old or younger, apply for a job or paid internship to help you figure out your career path. Gain work experience, while helping to preserve and protect our nation’s natural and cultural resources. The National Park Service collaborates with many organizations to offer onsite and remote internship and fellowship opportunities. If you have specific questions, contact a park of interest directly to ensure that you learn all the opportunities available.
Focus areas include:
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Archeology
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Museum collection
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Public health
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Communications
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Digital experience
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History
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Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM)
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Historic preservation
Jobs
Whether you are looking for part-time work during the school year, a summer job, or are beginning a full-time career, check USAJobs for current openings. Additionally, there are opportunities for teens, young adults, veterans, students, and recent graduates listed below.
Youth Conservation Corps Program Opportunities
Who can apply: Ages 15 through 18
Schedule: Summer, approximately 8–10 weeks, non-residential (except at Yellowstone National Park)
Interest areas: Conservation work projects, environmental education programs
Contact: NPS Youth and Young Adult Programs via e-mail
Application period: Apply to the park that interests you
Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates
The Pathways Program offers federal internship and employment opportunities for current students, recent graduates, and those with an advanced degree.
Who can apply: Current students seeking degrees or certificates from accredited institutions (i.e., high schools; vocational and technical schools; and associate, bachelor, graduate, or professional schools) and recent graduates
Interest areas: All
Stipend: Salary
Schedule: Year-round or summer
Application period: Year-round
Contact: NPS/Office of Human Resources via e-mail
NPS
Internships
Paid Internship Opportunities
Note that these paid opportunities may offer the Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority, or the Direct Hire Authority for Resource Assistant Internships (DHA-RAI) upon completion. Many of the internships are listed below.
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Opportunities
Schedule: Summer, Year-round
Interest areas: Historic preservation, traditional agriculture, interpretation, conservation, trail construction
Stipend: Varies
Partner: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy
Contact: NPS Youth Programs at 202-513-7146, or via e-mail
Schedule: Summer, Year-round
Interest areas: Historic preservation, traditional agriculture, interpretation, conservation, trail construction
Stipend: Varies
Partner: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy
Contact: NPS Youth Programs at 202-513-7146, or via e-mail
Archeology Corps Opportunities
Schedule: Year-round, 8-12 weeks
Application Period: Year-round. Check partners pages linked below for open opportunities.
Interest area: Archeology, cultural resources management
Stipend: Varies, may include travel
Partners: Conservation Legacy, National Council for Preservation Education, and Binghamton University
Contact: NPS Archaeology Program, Teresa Moyer via email
Schedule: Year-round, 8-12 weeks
Application Period: Year-round. Check partners pages linked below for open opportunities.
Interest area: Archeology, cultural resources management
Stipend: Varies, may include travel
Partners: Conservation Legacy, National Council for Preservation Education, and Binghamton University
Contact: NPS Archaeology Program, Teresa Moyer via email
Build Up Technical Internship
More program information
Schedule: Minimum of 11 weeks full-time during the summer, with a possibility to extend the internship part-time through the school year (for current students), or full-time up to 50 weeks total for recent graduates.
Application period: Spring/Summer Internships: Mid-December – early-February
Interest areas: Build Up Technical Internship Program is working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates. Interns will work in fields including: engineering, architecture, community planning, realty services, project management, social sciences, geographic information systems, publication services, and more!
Stipend: Living stipend of $21/hour or higher; pay rates will be included in individual postings. Select positions will also receive a professional development stipend. Some positions are remote.
Partners:American Conservation Experience, Stewards Individual Placement Program (a program of Conservation Legacy), and MoblilizeGreen
Contact: Historic Preservation Training Center team, via email
More program information
Schedule: Minimum of 11 weeks full-time during the summer, with a possibility to extend the internship part-time through the school year (for current students), or full-time up to 50 weeks total for recent graduates.
Application period: Spring/Summer Internships: Mid-December – early-February
Interest areas: Build Up Technical Internship Program is working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates. Interns will work in fields including: engineering, architecture, community planning, realty services, project management, social sciences, geographic information systems, publication services, and more!
Stipend: Living stipend of $21/hour or higher; pay rates will be included in individual postings. Select positions will also receive a professional development stipend. Some positions are remote.
Partners:American Conservation Experience, Stewards Individual Placement Program (a program of Conservation Legacy), and MoblilizeGreen
Contact: Historic Preservation Training Center team, via email
Community Volunteer Ambassadors Program
Schedule: February to January and September to August; Full-time, 48 weeks with an optional 36-week term for parks in Alaska
Interest areas: Volunteer efforts and management, service-learning expansion, group service opportunities coordination
Stipend: Varies depending on housing, number of terms
Partner: Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy
Contact: Volunteers-In-Parks Program, via email.
Schedule: February to January and September to August; Full-time, 48 weeks with an optional 36-week term for parks in Alaska
Interest areas: Volunteer efforts and management, service-learning expansion, group service opportunities coordination
Stipend: Varies depending on housing, number of terms
Partner: Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy
Contact: Volunteers-In-Parks Program, via email.
Cultural Resources Internship Program Opportunities
Schedule: Summer
Interest areas: Public history, archeology, architecture, curation and museum, planning, archives, and other allied fields in cultural resources
Stipend: $680-$740 per week, plus either park housing or a housing stipend, and a travel stipend
Partner: American Conservation Experience
Contact: NPS/Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education via e-mail
Fish and Feathers Program Opportunities
Schedule: 12-week summer internship from mid-May to early August, including a one-week training and orientation. Some placements may be extended to 16 weeks.
Application period: January to early February (Apply here)
Interest areas: Interpretation, education, recreation engagement, biology, fisheries & wildlife sciences, ecology, aquaculture, communications/marketing
Stipend: $640 per week, plus travel expenses and provided housing for out-of-state students
Partner: Environment for the Americas
Contact: Fish and Feathers Internship Coordinators via email
Schedule: 12-week summer internship from mid-May to early August, including a one-week training and orientation. Some placements may be extended to 16 weeks.
Application period: January to early February (Apply here)
Interest areas: Interpretation, education, recreation engagement, biology, fisheries & wildlife sciences, ecology, aquaculture, communications/marketing
Stipend: $640 per week, plus travel expenses and provided housing for out-of-state students
Partner: Environment for the Americas
Contact: Fish and Feathers Internship Coordinators via email
HABS/Society of Architectural Historians Tompkins Fellowship Opportunities
Schedule: Summer
Interest areas: Research in architectural history, or related field
Stipend: $12,000
Partner: Society of Architectural Historians
Contact: NPS/Historic American Buildings Survey, Catherine Lavoie, Chief, at 202-354-2185, or via
e-mail
Schedule: Summer
Interest areas: Research in architectural history, or related field
Stipend: $12,000
Partner: Society of Architectural Historians
Contact: NPS/Historic American Buildings Survey, Catherine Lavoie, Chief, at 202-354-2185, or via
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program
Additional NPS program information
Who can apply: Undergraduate and graduate students
Schedule: Summer program with a possibility to extend the internship through the school year. Program includes career workshop in August for program participants.
Application period: Mid-December - early February (apply here)
Interest areas: Historians, communication, business, archeologists, architects, curators, planners, archivists and more
Stipend: May vary from $688-768/week, based on a 40-hour week, plus a commuting stipend if needed. Local or park housing and travel expenses will be provided for out-of-state students.
Partner: SODA LIFE, Inc. (Urban American Outdoors)
Contact: NPS Youth Programs at 202-513-7146 or 202-513-7157, or via e-mail
Additional NPS program information
Who can apply: Undergraduate and graduate students
Schedule: Summer program with a possibility to extend the internship through the school year. Program includes career workshop in August for program participants.
Application period: Mid-December - early February (apply here)
Interest areas: Historians, communication, business, archeologists, architects, curators, planners, archivists and more
Stipend: May vary from $688-768/week, based on a 40-hour week, plus a commuting stipend if needed. Local or park housing and travel expenses will be provided for out-of-state students.
Partner: SODA LIFE, Inc. (Urban American Outdoors)
Contact: NPS Youth Programs at 202-513-7146 or 202-513-7157, or via e-mail
Landscape Stewardship Corps Opportunities
Schedule: 12 weeks (summer) or 26 weeks (year-round)
Interest areas: Hands-on skills in horticulture, arboriculture, or landscaping
Stipend: Living stipend of minimum $720/week, plus travel expenses for training
Partners: American Conservation Experience
Contact: Historic Preservation Training Center team via e-mail
Schedule: 12 weeks (summer) or 26 weeks (year-round)
Interest areas: Hands-on skills in horticulture, arboriculture, or landscaping
Stipend: Living stipend of minimum $720/week, plus travel expenses for training
Partners: American Conservation Experience
Contact: Historic Preservation Training Center team via e-mail
Latino Heritage Internship Program Opportunities
Additional NPS program information
Who can apply: Undergraduate or graduate students
Schedule: Summer, 10 or 11 weeks with a possibility to extend the internship through the school year
Application period: Spring/Summer Internships: Mid-December – early-February (apply here)
Interest areas: Natural and cultural resource management, interpretation, public affairs
Stipend: May vary from $688-768/week, based on a 40-hour week, plus a commuting stipend if needed. Local or park housing and travel expenses will be provided for out-of-state students.
Partner: Environment for the Americas
Contact: Ernestine White, National Youth Employment Programs Coordinator, at 202-513-7157, or via e-mail
Additional NPS program information
Who can apply: Undergraduate or graduate students
Schedule: Summer, 10 or 11 weeks with a possibility to extend the internship through the school year
Application period: Spring/Summer Internships: Mid-December – early-February (apply here)
Interest areas: Natural and cultural resource management, interpretation, public affairs
Stipend: May vary from $688-768/week, based on a 40-hour week, plus a commuting stipend if needed. Local or park housing and travel expenses will be provided for out-of-state students.
Partner: Environment for the Americas
Contact: Ernestine White, National Youth Employment Programs Coordinator, at 202-513-7157, or via e-mail
Let's Go Birding Internship Program Opportunities
Schedule: 12-week summer internship from mid-May to early August, including a one-week training and orientation. Some placements may be extended to 16 weeks.
Application period: December - late January
Stipend: $620 per week for 30 hours
Partner: Environment for the Americas
Contact: via e-mail
Schedule: 12-week summer internship from mid-May to early August, including a one-week training and orientation. Some placements may be extended to 16 weeks.
Application period: December - late January
Stipend: $620 per week for 30 hours
Partner: Environment for the Americas
Contact: via e-mail
Maritime Documentation Internship Opportunities
Schedule: Summer
Interest areas: Architecture, engineering, history, maritime preservation, on-site field work and preparation of measured and interpretive drawings and written historical reports
Stipend: $7,000
Partner: Council of American Maritime Museums
Contact: NPS/Historic American Engineering Record, Todd Croteau, Internship Coordinator, at 202-354-2167, or via e-mail
Schedule: Summer
Interest areas: Architecture, engineering, history, maritime preservation, on-site field work and preparation of measured and interpretive drawings and written historical reports
Stipend: $7,000
Partner: Council of American Maritime Museums
Contact: NPS/Historic American Engineering Record, Todd Croteau, Internship Coordinator, at 202-354-2167, or via e-mail
National Council for Preservation Education Opportunities
Schedule: 10 weeks to 7 months
Interest areas: Public history, archeology, architecture, curation and museum, planning, archives, and other allied fields in cultural resources
Stipend: Minimum hourly rate is $17.00/hour to $18.50/hr or higher
Partner: National Council for Preservation Education
Contact: NPS/Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education, Paloma Bolasny, Youth Programs Coordinator, at 202-354-2174, or via e-mail
Schedule: 10 weeks to 7 months
Interest areas: Public history, archeology, architecture, curation and museum, planning, archives, and other allied fields in cultural resources
Stipend: Minimum hourly rate is $17.00/hour to $18.50/hr or higher
Partner: National Council for Preservation Education
Contact: NPS/Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education, Paloma Bolasny, Youth Programs Coordinator, at 202-354-2174, or via e-mail
National Park Service GIS Program
Schedule: 15-24 weeks
Interest area: GIS, natural and cultural resource preservation, data management, planning and environmental compliance, facility asset and transportation management, visitor and resource protection
Stipend: Varies
Partner: Southern Utah University Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative
Contact: Intermountain Region, Geographic Resources Division, via email
Schedule: 15-24 weeks
Interest area: GIS, natural and cultural resource preservation, data management, planning and environmental compliance, facility asset and transportation management, visitor and resource protection
Stipend: Varies
Partner: Southern Utah University Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative
Contact: Intermountain Region, Geographic Resources Division, via email
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
Schedule: Varies; Full-time, 11 weeks to 52 weeks
Interest areas: Community planning, outdoor recreation planning, natural resource conservation, trail and park designs, public-private partnerships
Stipend: Varies by position
Partners: Stewards Individual Placements, Hispanic Access Foundation, Greening Youth Foundation, and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps
Contact: NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Moses Chun, via email
Schedule: Varies; Full-time, 11 weeks to 52 weeks
Interest areas: Community planning, outdoor recreation planning, natural resource conservation, trail and park designs, public-private partnerships
Stipend: Varies by position
Partners: Stewards Individual Placements, Hispanic Access Foundation, Greening Youth Foundation, and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps
Contact: NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Moses Chun, via email
Scientists in Parks Program Opportunities
Additional NPS program informatoin
Schedule: Year-round, 12 – 52 weeks
Application Period:
Summer Season (Start dates May – September): December – January
Winter Season (Start dates October – April): May – June
Interest areas: Field - and office-based internships focused on natural resource management needs in parks. Disciplines include physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, and science communication/education.
Stipend: $565 - 760/week
Partners: Stewards Individual Placements Program, Ecological Society of America, The Geological Society of America, and the National Park Foundation
Contact: Via e-mail
Additional NPS program informatoin
Schedule: Year-round, 12 – 52 weeks
Application Period:
Summer Season (Start dates May – September): December – January
Winter Season (Start dates October – April): May – June
Interest areas: Field - and office-based internships focused on natural resource management needs in parks. Disciplines include physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, and science communication/education.
Stipend: $565 - 760/week
Partners: Stewards Individual Placements Program, Ecological Society of America, The Geological Society of America, and the National Park Foundation
Contact: Via e-mail
Traditional Trades Advancement Program
Schedule: 12 weeks (summer) or 26 weeks (year-round)
Interest areas: Hands-on trade skills, carpentry, masonry, woodworking, metalworking, water/wastewater treatment
Stipend: Living stipend of minimum $720/week, plus travel expenses for training
Partners: American Conservation Experience, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, MoblilizeGreen, Stewards Individual Placements, and Student Conservation Association
Contact: Historic Preservation Training Center team via e-mail
Schedule: 12 weeks (summer) or 26 weeks (year-round)
Interest areas: Hands-on trade skills, carpentry, masonry, woodworking, metalworking, water/wastewater treatment
Stipend: Living stipend of minimum $720/week, plus travel expenses for training
Partners: American Conservation Experience, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, MoblilizeGreen, Stewards Individual Placements, and Student Conservation Association
Contact: Historic Preservation Training Center team via e-mail
Volunteer Opportunities
Learn more about volunteering, including non-paid internships.Have a question about Youth or Young Adult Programs? Please e-mail us. Learn more about what we do. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Last updated: June 18, 2025